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John Mellencamp at Greek Theatre

August 5, 2008

July 31st

Now in his mid-’50s, John Mellencamp could easily just trot out a show filled with his ’80s and early ’90s hits that made him a rock star back then, and just toss in the obligatory couple of new songs from his latest studio album.

Instead, his 90-minute performance at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles last week (July 31st) was thoughtful and well-structured, also filled with flashes of fire and smoldering indignation over social injustice. As he once sang himself, “You’ve got to stand for something…or you’re going to fall for anything.” Or, to change the title of one of his albums from the early ’80s, he’s nobody’s American fool.

Mellencamp has spent a good part of this decade delving into rural blues and folk forms, albeit with his own rocker’s-heart take on it, while also opposing the current administration in Washington, from the war in Iraq to its social and economic blunders. Even last year’s Freedom’s Road followed that mold, despite the anthem (and Chevy Truck ad song) “Our Country,” harkening back to his ’83 classic “Pink Houses,” the latter classic rock staple opening up the Greek show.

Mellencamp’s new Life Death Love and Freedom is filled with ruminations on our shattered nation, as well as more personal explorations of age and mortality. Though several of the new songs were grouped together, the set effectively balanced a selection of his hits – plus some album-deep numbers as well – to satisfy old-time radio fans plus those who’ve stuck by him all these years as an elder statesman of Americana-entrenched rock.

One-time arena burners like “Paper in Fire,” chimers such as “Check It Out,” and the galloping “I Ain’t Running Anymore” were contrasted by songs such as the harrowing Delta blues-based “If I Die Sudden” and the true tale of Louisiana racism and “nooses in the trees” in “Jena.” His crack band, which included Miriam Strum (his main foil for the night) and longtime Indiana pal, Mike Wanchic, as one of the guitarist, plus some younger folk, handled it all with skill and deft touches too

Such was his anti-star posturing that, early on especially, the video screens showed more images of old films that included The Last Picture Show and Easy Rider rather than Mellencamp or members of his band.

Most intimate of all was a solo acoustic segment that included the lesser-known “Minutes to Memory” from his Scarecrow album, as well as the new “Longest Days” and “Young Without Lovers,” all about getting old -something a good part of his crowd could relate to. He talked about people thinking: “60 is the new 40. Naw, man – 40′s 40 and 60′s 60.” Then he strummed out “Small Town” and turned the outdoor venue into a big group campfire sing-along of 6,000.

Among the other old favorites, “Crumblin’ Down” was a fierceful stomp and “Human Wheels” a churning truth sparked by our hopes. The end of the show was devoted to songs to make you get up and dance along on the beat, including his enduring ’60s music love note “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.” and his heartland snapshot – and another sing-along – “Jack and Diane.”

He only came back for one encore number, which was a bit surprising, though, with his teen songs (one of a number of kids of different ages from various marriages) on guitar, the band blasted out the “I Fought the Law”-inspired “Authority Song” for a rollicking finish. But there seemed to be a couple of missing elements, still.

Though support artist Lucinda Williams certainly can deliver her own gripping mix of blues and rock, the night might’ve been best served with a longer Mellencamp show, perhaps a two-hour-plus two-part “Evening With…” He certainly seems up for it, performing with vigor and focused intensity as well (and he admitted, ack, he’s still smoking, despite that heart attack 15 years ago).

It’s not so much he didn’t play the fluff of a “Hurts So Good” or his fine cover of “Teardrops Will Fall” from a few years ago, or his version of Van Morrison’s “Wild Night” now going back to the mid-’90s, or perhaps, other non-hit album wonders such as “Between a Laugh and Tear” and songs from the past decade that are among his best, like “Your Life is Now.” The performance was so good, it left one just wanting a little more. Maybe on the next tour go-round?

Set List:

“Pink Houses”
“Paper in Fire”
“I’m Not Running Anymore”
“My Sweet Love”
“Check It Out”
“Minutes to Memories”
“Longest Days”
“Young Without Lovers”
“Small Town”
“Rain on the Scarecrow”
“Troubled Land”
“If I Die Sudden”
“Jena”
“Human Wheels”
“Crumblin’ Down”
“R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.”
“Jack & Diane”
Encore: “Authority Song”

Upcoming Shows at the Greek Theater include:

Saturday, August 9th – Funk Fest featuring Morris Day, S.O.S. Band, Zapp, Midnight Star, and Con Funk Shun

Friday, August 15th-16th – Gipsy Kings

Sunday, August 17th – Jethro Tull plus special guest Young Dubliners

Friday, August 22nd – Café Tacvba plus special guest Ima Robot

Saturday, August 23rd – 2nd Annual Los Angeles Salsa Music Festival – Puerto Rican Power vs. Grupo Niche with special guests Tito Rojas, Joe Arroyo, El Rey Del Cuatro, Yomo Toro, and Xiomara

Friday, August 29th – Melissa Etheridge – The Revival Tour

Friday, September 12th – Tony Bennett

Wednesday, September 17th – The Black Crowes plus special guest G. Love & Special Sauce, plus Howlin’ Rain

Saturday, September 20th – Gladys Knight, Al Green

Sunday, September 21st – My Morning Jacket

Monday, September 22nd-23rd – The Raconteurs with special guest The Kills

Friday, September 26th – Wavefest featuring Anita Baker, Dave Koz, Average White Band, Joe Sample & Randy Crawford, Brenda Russell, and more

Saturday, September 27th – Wavefest featuring Anita Baker, Dave Koz, Average White Band, Joe Sample & Randy Crawford, Brenda Russell, and more

Tuesday, September 30th – Journey with Heart and Cheap Trick

Thursday, October 2nd – Sigur Rós

Friday, October 3rd – David Byrne – The Songs of David Byrne & Brian Eno

Saturday, October 4th – The Swell Season plus special guest Iron & Wine