Music review: John Mellencamp – 鈥極ther People鈥檚 Stuff鈥�
鈥淥ther People鈥檚 Stuff鈥� is the latest effort from John Mellencamp and aptly describes the collection of reworked arrangements previously released during the talented singer-songwriter鈥檚 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame career.
The 10 tracks containing various country, folk and blues stylings are infused with Mellencamp鈥檚 own personal heartland sound.
The set opens with 鈥淭o the River鈥� from 1993鈥檚 鈥淗uman Wheels鈥� as Mellencamp addresses the complexities of navigating a turbulent world by declaring, 鈥淚 have hated and I have Loved/I have prayed and I have sinned.鈥� It鈥檚 a powerful message about the experiences that help to shape our character and understanding who we are and where we are going.
Originally performed for President Obama at the White House in 2010, 鈥淓yes on the Prize鈥� is delivered in a raw and bluesy manner as it serves as a stirring anthem about standing up against social injustice as Mellencamp sings, 鈥淥nly chains that we can stand/Are the chains of hand and hand/Keep your eyes on the prize and hold on.鈥�
Other highlights include the heartbreak relayed on 鈥淭eardrops Will Fall,鈥� a smoldering cover of Jimmie Rodgers鈥� 鈥淕ambling Bar Room Blues,鈥� a Dylanesque offering of the folk classic 鈥淲reck of the Old 97,鈥� the engaging storytelling of 鈥淒ark as a Dungeon鈥� and the infectious blending of funk and blues on 鈥淪tones in My Passway.鈥�
My personal favorite is 鈥淚n My Time of Dying鈥� from 1999鈥檚 鈥淩ough Harvest.鈥�
On this haunting track, Mellencamp comes to terms with his mortality as he cries out, 鈥淚n my time of dying/I want nobody to mourn/All I want for you to do is take my body home.鈥�
Mellencamp closes the album with a soulful performance of Stevie Wonder鈥檚 鈥淚 Don鈥檛 Know Why I Love You.鈥� It鈥檚 a wonderful number that plays well to the Indiana native鈥檚 gritty and genuine vocals.
Although these arrangements aren鈥檛 new, hearing them together during one sitting makes for a refreshing and more impactful listening experience.
In the end, Mellencamp manages to borrow other people鈥檚 stuff and make it uniquely his own.