NEWS 04 Jun 2009

John Mellencamp’s Road Tested "Life Death LIVE and Freedom" due June 23rd from Hear Music

Specially priced 8-song live collection also available as ‘Deluxe Tour Pack' bundled with 2008's original studio album

Life Death LIVE and Freedom, an 8-song live companion collection featuring many of the key songs from John Mellencamp's 2008 much-lauded Life Death Love and Freedom, is set for release June 23. The specially-priced offering from Hear Music will be available at all retail and digital outlets. In recognition of Mellencamp's upcoming tour with Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson, a special "Deluxe Tour Pack" edition that includes both original studio album Life Death Love and Freedom bundled with the new Life Death LIVE and Freedom will also be available on June 23rd, wherever music is sold.

While the Life Death Love and Freedom studio album was in various stages of production under the direction of T Bone Burnett, Mellencamp endeavored to "road test" the album's songs long before its release. Over the course of almost a year, Mellencamp - variously as a soloist and with his band -- introduced concert goers to the new material, an unusual move for an artist who is identified with such a well-known body of prior work. The new music blended beautifully with his classic repertoire and was incredibly well received, something significant in light of the serious themes and the overall tone of many of the new songs. Theses songs were highlights of Mellencamp's concerts as they spoke directly to the country about where we were and where we were headed. They include the driving, blues-rooted "If I Die Sudden," the politically charged "Jena" and the poignant "A Ride Back Home", who's studio incarnation as a duet with Little Big Town's Karen Fairchild, is Mellencamp's latest single and video release. Also part of Life Death LIVE and Freedom are the ominous "Troubled Land," which chronicles the malaise that gripped the country during the Bush years and the contemplative "Longest Days," inspired by Mellencamp's late grandmother. "Young Without Lovers" (with audience participation), the rollicking "My Sweet Love" and the folk-styled "Don't Need This Body" complete the LIVE line-up.

The collection reflects the way the songs were heard by audiences for the very first time as Mellencamp assiduously adhered to a doctrine of "audio vérité." Concert tracks, sourced directly from the mixing board, were not subject to after-the-fact studio enhancement, overdubbing, etc, and, as a result, offer a view of Mellencamp as both songwriter and communicator, on an elemental, truly accessible level. While Mellencamp's touring band - Andy York (guitar), Dane Clark (drums), John Gunnell (bass), Miriam Sturm (violin), Troye Kinnett (accordion/keyboard) and Mike Wanchic (guitar) are heard on both the studio and live sets, there is a markedly discernable difference in terms of approach, intensity and tempo which transforms these live versions into something wholly unique and extraordinary. Wanchic, part of Mellencamp's band for over 30 years is co-producer of Life Death LIVE and Freedom with John Mellencamp. Engineer Bill Chappell recorded the songs live in concert over the course of six months of tour dates through North America.

Life Death LIVE and Freedom track listing/recording location/date:

1. If I Die Sudden - Greek Theatre/Los Angeles, July 31, 2008

2. Troubled Land - " " " " " " "

3. Don't Need This Body - Mann Music Center/Philadelphia, July 8, 2008

4. Longest Days - Greek Theatre/Los Angeles, July 31, 2008

5. Young Without Lovers - Air Canada Centre/Toronto, February 6, 2008

6. A Ride Back Home - " " " " " " "

7. Jena - Centrum/Red Deer, AB, February 14, 2008

8. My Sweet Love - Greek Theatre/Los Angeles, July 31, 2008

John Mellencamp on tour with Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson

July 2 - Sauget, IL - GCS Ballpark

4 - South Bend, IN - Coveleski Stadium

8 - Louisville, KY - Louisville Slugger Field

10 - Dayton, OH - Fifth Third Field

11 - Eastlake, OH - Classic Park

13 - Washington, PA - CONSOL Energy Park

15 - New Britain, CT - New Britain Stadium

17 - Essex Junction, VT - Champlain Valley Exposition Center

18 - Bethel Woods, NY - Bethel Woods Center For The Arts

19 - Syracuse, NY - Alliance Bank Stadium

21 - Pawtucket, RI - McCoy Stadium

23 - Lakewood, NJ - First Energy Park

24 - Aberdeen, MD - Ripkin Stadium

25 - Norfolk, VA - Harbor Park

28 - Durham, NC - Durham Bulls Athletic Park

29 - Sevierville, TN - Smokies Park

30 - Alpharetta, GA - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater @ Encore Park

31 - Orange Beach, AL - The Amphitheater at the Wharf

Aug. 2 - Houston, TX - Cynthia Wood Mitchell Pavillion

4 - Round Rock, TX - The Dell Diamond

5 - Corpus Christi, TX - Whataburger Field

7 - Grand Prairie, TX - QuikTrip Park

8 - Lubbock, TX - Jones ATT&T Stadium

9 - Albuquerque, NM - Journal Pavillion

11 - Glendale, AZ - Camelback Ranch

12 - Las Vegas, NV - Cashman Field

14 - Fresno, CA - Chukchansi Park

15 - Stockton, CA - Banner Island Park

16 - Stateline, NV - Harvey's Outdoor Arena