John Cougar Mellencamp – The Best That I Could Do
I Need A Lover
Ain’t Even Done With The Night
Hurt’s So Good
Jack And Diane
Crumblin’ Down
Pink Houses
Authority Song
Lonely Ol’ Night
Small Town
ROCK In The USA
Paper In Fire
Cherry Bomb
Check It Out
Without Expression
Label: Riva Records
Year: 1997
Producers: various
Total Playing Time: 58:42 m:s
This collection of single releases spans 1979 to 1988 and includes a bonus track (Without Expression).
John Cougar hit the British charts in 1982 with Hurt’s So Good and followed that with the more successful Jack And Diane. As far as the most people in the UK are concerned, that’s the end of the story. They’re great songs, but might have suffered from over exposure as they keep appearing on virtually every "Soft Rock" compilation I read the track listing of. My local radio station occasionally still gives them a spin and I’m always happy to hear them on the radio.
JCM oozes Americana and this probably explains the limited UK success. His music always conjures up images of small town America, pickup trucks etc. I’ve always found it difficult to pigeonhole his music – it not quite rock, it’s not quite country, I guess now that I’ve discovered the Mid-Western moniker I can use that. I think of him as roots-ier version of Bruce Springsteen.
He has always been on my ‘must buy one of his albums sometime’ list. In fact, I do own 1991’s Whenever We Wanted, which doesn’t get played as often as it should. I think I picked it up in some sort of bargain bin. I’m sure some of you will be more familiar with his work than I am, but I’m sure we’d agree that this an excellent introduction of his work. My personal favourites are Hurt’s So Good, Jack And Diane, Pink Houses, Small Town and Cherry Bomb. If you’ve only heard Hurt’s So Good or Jack And Diane and like them, then this is an excellent way of checking out one of America’s best singer/songwriters.
Rating: 8
