The origin of John Mellencamp's new work Trouble No More dates back to his own musical beginnings. The album is the result of his deep seeded admiration for what he considers to be some of the finest examples of American song writing and recording. Inspired by their ability to be so 'plain spoken' lyrically and so musically direct, Mellencamp listened exclusively to the works of Hank Williams, Woody Guthrie and Robert Johnson several years ago while working on a previous album. Moved to rediscover some of the roots of their works, Mellencamp immersed himself in folk and blues. Enthused by the genres, Mellencamp challenged himself and his band, to not only capture some of the songs' original sentiment, but also to transform them into something they could make their own. Trouble No More is the result of that. "Bursts with old-time voodoo bluster."Entertainment Weekly "His most intimate recording yet."Blender "The simpler style allows the tense commentary to come through loud and clear, as the band keeps up."E! Online
Album Notes and Credits
Dane Clark - Drums
John Mellencamp
Mike Wanchic - Guitar
Miriam Sturm - Violin
Professional Reviews
Rolling Stone7 of 10 Beneath the heartland-rock veneer, John Mellencamp has always displayed the tormented soul of a bluesman, so it's not surprising to hear him tunneling in the direction of the Mississippi Delta on Trouble No More. Mellencamp and band sound right at home with hellhound-on-my-trail tracks such as Robert Johnson's "Stones in My Passway," Son House's "Death Letter" and Memphis Minnie's "Joliet Bound." Mellencamp injects real grit into his readings of their old blues and string-band tunes. Some of his feistiest singing yet can be heard on "(Meet Me) Down in the Bottom," a rollin'-and-tumblin' Willie Dixon tune. Andy York plays fine bottleneck guitar throughout Trouble No More, and here's the real surprise: This album doesn't sound that distant from the grass-roots rock of Mellencamp albums such as Scarecrow and The Lonesome Jubilee. - Peter Puterbaugh
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