Trouble No More

John Mellencamp

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 3, 2003)
• Original Release Date: June 3, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Columbia
• ASIN: B000094OU1
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #52,979 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Before John Mellencamp recorded his classic Scarecrow, he learned hundreds of classic rock covers from the '60s. Here the Indiana troubadour ventures back to the very roots of American popular music, learning traditional songs associated with the likes of Robert Johnson, Son House, Howlin' Wolf, and Woody Guthrie. The result is Mellencamp's rawest album to date, updating the acoustic sounds of those early idioms for modern times while keeping them firmly rooted in tradition. In that sense, it's not unlike his hero Bob Dylan's two country-blues cover albums from the mid-'90s--though the ever-mischievous Mellencamp has a little fun with his definitions here, paying tribute to his Hoosier background by covering Bloomington native Hoagy Carmichael's "Brooklyn Oriole" and Lucinda Williams's 1980 ode to "Lafayette," while pulling a beautiful stark version of Skeeter Davis's wonderful 1963 country-pop ballad "End of the World" out of left field. The former James Brown impersonator has never sang better. The album closes with "To Washington," credited to Mellencamp, but actually a "borrowed blues" that's been used to address political figures as far back as Calvin Coolidge when recorded by Charlie Poole, the Carter Family, and Guthrie. This time, the song addresses one George W. Bush and surely won't gain Mellencamp any new fans among those who'd support a Dixie Chicks boycott. --Bill Holdship

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cover Some More, July 9, 2003

By	Jason Stein (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I have been a fan of Mellencamp since 1982, and I have never failed to buy every one of his cds since that time. I don't normally enjoy a full cd of covers, but Mellencamp may be the only artist who pulls it off. First, I consider myself to be an above average music buff, so the fact that he managed to find a set of songs that, prior to this recording, I had never heard makes this cd stand above other cover cds. I am tired of cover cds where you know all the songs by heart and there is no need to cover them. Second, Mellencamp stretches himself musically to incorporate blues, funk and folk--something he is known for, but this cd has more of a stripped down feel to it, like 1989's "Big Daddy", which gives the songs a raw and immediate feel. Most of the songs have themes covering depression, loss of a loved one, murder & mayhem, prostitution, shame, political corruption, subjects Mellencamp always presents convincingly and honestly. Once again, I have to say that corporate owned radio and music television will overlook this gem of a cd in favor of fluff, but to those of us who remember a time when music actually meant something, this cd is for you and Mellencamp fans like myself. "Stones In My Passway", "Death Letter", "Johnny Hart", "Teardrops Will Fall", "Diamond Joe", "Down In The Bottom" could all easily be hits, but they won't see the light of day. "To Washington" may not be popular among patriotic types and conservatives, but Mellencamp's only self-penned song captures the moronic state of our government officials. I'll take the music on this disc over pseudo-intellectual, money-grubbing, sex obsessed, angst ridden drivel you can find on your radio any time. If you are thirsty for some meaningful music with real instruments by a real artist pick up "Trouble No More".

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Super CD!, October 1, 2003

By	Barbara R. Souza "Kayak Babs" (Pentwater, MI United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is my first John Mellencamp cd. I love this one. If you like bluesy/folksy music this cd delivers! I am now a new fan of John's music. I hope he gives us more music just like this. I love Lafayette with Lucinda Williams. She is one of my favorite artists and they sounded super together. Keep up the good work, John!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent American music, August 26, 2003

By	duke2323 "duke69" (Alexandria, VA USA) - See all my reviews

Call it "Roots" or "Americana" or just great music. I would hope that any fan of real music knows these songs already (I have most of the origianal or earlier versions). JM makes them his own and adds plenty. The playing on the album is very fine and the production excellent. These songs make you proud to be an American and shows the wide range of music in our great land. From Woody to Hoagy, this is one fine album, a must for anyone who appreciates traditional roots music. Truly a celebration of the USA.