Personnel: John Mellencamp (vocals, guitar); Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Mike Wanchic (guitar, background vocals); Larry Crane , Andy York (guitar); Miriam Sturm (violin); John Cascella (accordion); Nancy Arnold (oboe); Michael Ramos (organ); Jay Ferguson (keyboards); Reggie Hamilton, Willie Weeks (bass instrument); Kenny Aronoff (drums, percussion); Ricky Lawson (drums); Toby Myers, Carroll Sue Hill (background vocals).
Liner Note Author: Jann Wenner.
John Mellencamp has been in need of a thorough, career-spanning compilation for a while, and Island/UTV's 2004 release Words & Music: John Mellencamp's Greatest Hits finally fills that gap. His previous hits collection, 1997's The Best That I Could Do, was too short, since he had more hits than could fit on a brief 14-track disc. Words & Music doesn't have the problem of brevity. Spanning 37 songs over two discs, this has nearly all of his charting hits. Radio hits like "Justice and Independence '85" and "Rooty Toot Toot" may be absent, but they're not missed, since all the big hits are here, including "Pink Houses," "Lonely Ol' Night," "Paper in Fire," "Authority Song," "Crumblin' Down," "Small Town," "Hurts So Good," and "Jack & Diane," among many others (including two solid new songs). The biggest complaint that could be lodged against this collection is that the sequencing is doggedly nonchronological, which may upset some listeners who would like to hear his career evolve, but this sequencing flows like a good concert and highlights the common threads in his music from 1978 to 2004. As such, it's not only a good collection of hits, but it's a good career summary and introduction, as well. [Initial pressings of Words & Music contained a bonus DVD containing videos for "Crumblin' Down," "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.," "Rain on the Scarecrow," "Check It Out (Live)," and "Key West Intermezzo (I Saw You First)."] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Over the course of nearly 30 years, more than 15 albums, four name changes, and one near-death experience, John Mellencamp forged a widely imitated sound that established the blueprint for the musical sub-genre commonly referred to as "Heartland Rock." The Indiana native made a name for himself by combining a powerful, Stones-like guitar attack with a country twang, along with rhythms informed by tough, blue-eyed soul and a lean lyrical style dotted with striking Steinbeck-esque rural imagery.
Remarkably enough, Mellencamp pulled the unusual trick of becoming a genuine pop superstar while maintaining a regular-guy image. Close listening to any of the tracks on WORDS & MUSIC, however, reveals Mellencamp's secret--he really is a regular guy. Tunes such as the defiant "Authority Song" and the gentle "Hand to Hold On To" are sung without a trace of irony, which is a big part of his music's appeal. Another thing that separates Mellencamp from his contemporaries is his willingness to tinker with his signature sound. The man who made the accordion cool in rock again raps on "Peaceful World," and, on 2004's "Walk Tall," even employs the services of R&B producer Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds--not too bad for an ordinary guy. minimize