Playing new material before live audience before it’s been released
is a dicey proposition. In most cases, it’s either because the song isn’t
ready to be played before an audience or an audience isn’t ready for something
new and unknown (oftentimes, many hit the snack bar or bathroom when something
unfamiliar emanates from the stage). Still, it never stopped the Grateful Dead
or Pink Floyd, and apparently, it was a way of “road-testing” new
material for John Mellencamp’s 2008 studio album, Life Death Love
And Freedom. To illustrate the origins of some of the songs while extending
the studio album’s shelf-life, Mellencamp has released an eight-song set
called Life Death Live And Freedom.
Hearing the songs develop in a live setting offers some unique insights. First
and foremost, of course, is the interplay of the players on stage. Mellencamp
has always had top-notch musicians in his band, and that standard is upheld
here. The rocking conviction behind “If I Die Sudden” must have
moved the ground and got the joint on its feet. The song is toned down considerably
on Life Death Love And Freedom, but you can sense its potential
as a live vehicle, a rave-up and a showcase for Mellencamp and his six-piece
band. A key change is the only difference between “Troubled Land”
played live and its studio counterpart.
In the studio, “Don’t Need This Body” received some broad
strokes from producer T Bone Burnett. Mellencamp does an admirable job at capturing
a similar mood live. You can tell the three other acoustic numbers — the
haunting “Longest Days,” “Young Without Lovers” and
“A Ride Back Home” — are still in their early stages of development.
Each would get a makeover for Life Death Love And Freedom.
“Jena” and “My Sweet Love” come out swinging and surely
raised a few eyebrows from fans that may not be so taken with outsiders that
stray into the canon of Mellencamp hits. As the singer crisscrosses the country
for a 2008 summer tour with Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson, fans can pick up a
special “Tour
Pack” of Life Death Love And Freedom and Life
Death Live And Freedom bundled together.
~ Shawn Perry
