Quickies: Willie Nelson/Wynton Marsalis, Dr. John, John Mellencamp, Left Lane Cruisers - Page 3

Not every song is memorable, but the focus on the theme makes even the lesser tunes hold together with the better ones. Just when people might be ready to roll their eyes at yet another Katrina-themed album, Dr. John delivers one of the most sincere profferings of a message from that event with a man clearly inspired to bring enough of his "A" game to make sure people are listening.

John Mellencamp Life, Death, Love And Freedom
Last year I put both a John Mellencamp album (Freedom's Road) and a T-Bone Burnett-produced album (Raising Sand) spots on my year-end All-Star lists. This year, the two got together to make Mellencamp's next record, Life, Death, Love And Freedom. You better believe I was eagerly anticipating this one.

I've read some press on this album that suggested Mellencamp was going a Bob Dylan route for Life. I didn't really get that vibe at all, because it sounds more like he was going further back than Dylan's time: Pete Seeger, Leadbelly, Woody Guthrie and the like. Most of the dark, but down-home lyrics could have fit in fine during the Depression — even the contemporary-minded "Jena" is phrased in Civil Rights-era prose. Yet, it remains vintage Mellencamp. "Troubled Land" is unmistakenly from the same guy who gave us "Hurt So Good" and "Crumblin' Down."

Of course, all of this mid-century Americana sounds and imagery is Burnett's stock and trade, and he supplies his usual heaping helpings of tremelo and reverb, while keeping the arrangements stark (the opening "Longest Days" is accompanied by only two acoustic guitars).

However, the thing that makes Life such a worthy followup to Freedom's Road remains the artist himself. Mellencamp's songs come from the pen of a songwriter who at this point in his career can make the biggest impact without needing a lot of notes. The lyrics seem to come out as natural as conversational speech. Moreover, his voice has settled into a weary, reserved rasp that brings out more sincere emotion than the yelling of his salad days ever did. That sneering growl on "John Cockers," for example, is deadly effective.

At 56 years old, and with more than thirty years being in the music business, two of John Mellencamp's best albums are his last two. Some things just get better with age.

Left Lane Cruisers Bring Yo' Ass To The Table
OK, so I fibbed a little, they're not all well-known artists on this installment of Quickies after all. These guys do deserve to be known better, though.

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