GetListy » John Mellencamp

Bob Dylan road mates

Bill Sullivan — Fri, 29 May 2009 11:45:35 +0000

As elusive as he may be to fans and media, Bob Dylan clearly likes company — at least when it comes to being on the road.

This summer, he’s doing another tour of minor league ballparks, with friends Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp along for the ride. Sharing the bill is nothing unusual for Dylan, however, as he has a long history of giving his fans a little something extra for their money.

Here’s a list of just some of the artists who have toured with him over the years:

The Band (1974)

The Rolling Thunder Revue (Joan Baez, Roger MGuinn) (1975)

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (1986)

The Grateful Dead (1987)

Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell (1998)

Paul Simon (1999)

Willie Nelson (2004)

Merle Haggard (2006)

Elvis Costello (2007)

Rolling Stone’s best albums 2008

Bill Sullivan — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 14:26:54 +0000

Everyone has his own idea of which were the best albums of the almost-completed year, but not everyone has quite the gravitas of Rolling Stone.

As 2008 fades into the record books, RS is out with its list of the best of the best. It’s sure to trigger a debate or two, but that’s what these kinds of lists are for.

Here are the Top 10:

1. Dear Science, TV on the Radio

2. Tell Tale Signs – The Bootleg Series Vol. 8, Bob Dylan

3. Tha Carter III, Lil Wayne

4. My Morning Jacket, Evil Urges

5. Life, Death, Love and Freedom, John Mellencamp

6. Santogold, Santogold

7. Viva La Vida Or Death and All His Friends, Coldplay

8. Modern Guilt, Beck

9. Death Magnetic, Metallica

10. Vampire Weekend, Vampire Weekend

To see the rest, and check out some clips, visit Rolling Stone.

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Underrated Rock Albums

Tom Kessler — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 11:12:51 +0000

This list is in no particular order and I will be adding to it periodically. Ready? Let’s play:

Whenever We Wanted: John Mellencamp (1991/remastered 2005) — Mellencamp tends to be underrated overall — guess some people never could get over the John Cougar thing. But this early ’90s effort shows its staying power with “Love and Happiness” (oddly more relevant today than when it was released) and exquisite, timeless rockers “I Ain’t Ever Satisfied” and “Get a Leg Up.” A tremendous effort across every song.

Talk Is Cheap: Keith Richards (1992) — A lost jewel, this album should be ubiquitous on any Classic Rock station that doesn’t just suck. Released during Keith and Mick’s trial separation in the early ’90s, this album easily matches the best of the Rolling Stones catalog. The rhythmic “You Don’t Move Me” stands tall as Keith’s Love Gone Wrong Letter to Mick (think Lennon on “How Do You Sleep?”) Play it loud and often.

Human Touch: Bruce Springsteen (1992) — A great disc from Springsteen that was hurt by its simultaneous release with Lucky Town, a solid but lesser offering. “Human Touch” is very affecting and still shows up on collections, but left behind are some of the most powerful, infectious songs that Springsteen ever created: “Gloria’s Eyes,” the Stonesy “Roll of the Dice,” and “All or Nothing at All.”

Fisherman’s Blues: The Waterboys (1988) — Considered a modern Irish-folk classic by purists, this spectacular album nevertheless has been long ignored by the music mainstream. From the haunting beauty of “Strange Boat” to the swirling intensity of “We Will Not be Lovers,” this is a career album full poetry and spirit, vim and vigor. Were Mike Scott never to have recorded another thing, this album alone would make him noteworthy.

Nothing But a Burning Light: Bruce Cockburn (1991) — Canadian Cockburn has never enjoyed the U.S. attention he deserves. But no one could argue the power of this brilliant album that explored the human spirit with a clear-headedness that is rarely found in any medium. These songs are so multidimensional and arresting that you can return to them time and again and still find them fresh, as with any classic work.

Listen to samples below: