John Mellencamp – March 27th – Ellie Caulkins Opera House

Photo by Tim Dwenger

Last night, John Mellencamp proved that he still knows how to put on a show, even after decades in the business. The Ellie Caulkins Opera House provided an intimate setting for a Rock icon of his stature, allowing fans to get up close and personal with their hero.

The crowd was predominantly in their 60s, which made for a nostalgic atmosphere as Mellencamp revisited some of his greatest hits. The 7-piece band was tight and well-rehearsed, providing a solid foundation for Mellencamp’s aging, cigarette strained, vocals. After the band got warmed up with “John Cockers,” they delivered a trio of older songs from Scarecrow and The Lonesome Jubilee that included a personal favorite of mine, “Small Town,” one of Mellencamp’s signature songs.

The singer’s performance of “Don’t Need This Body” was a dirge of sorts as it allowed the audience to reflect on their own mortality, which proved to be a theme of the evening. “Jackie Brown” was a crowd-pleaser that got people up on their feet, while 1987’s “Check It Out” kept the energy levels high.

While Mellencamp’s acoustic guitar skills didn’t impress me a ton, the crowd didn’t seem to mind and the 71 year old remained engaging and entertaining throughout a three song acoustic set. This portion of the show was a chance for Mellencamp to show off his storytelling skills, as he shared the tear-jerking stories behind “The Eyes of Portland” and “Longest Days.” In a bit he’s been doing the entire tour, he reprimanded the crowd when they skipped the second verse and went right to the chorus of “Jack & Diane.” “I spent a long time coming up with that second verse, and I’m gonna sing it.”

A lengthy – but spot-on – rant about not giving a fuck was both funny and insightful as it blended into the dark and jazzy, Tom Waits influenced, “Always Lie to Strangers.” One of the most touching moments of the night came when Mellencamp played a recording of Joanne Woodward reading his song “The Real Life” accompanied by accordion and fiddle. It was a beautiful tribute to a classic song that left the audience once again feeling their mortality.

After this more mellow section of the evening, Mellencamp turned up the heat with rocking takes on “Rain on the Scarecrow,” “Lonely Old Night,” a sandwich of “Crumblin’ Down” and Van Morrison’s “Gloria,” and “Pink Houses” that threatened to bring the house down. Then, after a brief return the present with “Chasing Rainbows,” Mellencamp went back to the well with “Cherry Bomb” and “Hurts So Good” to close out the night in a blistering fashion.

Overall, John Mellencamp’s Live and In Person performance was a powerful meditation on the themes of small town life, mortality, and the plight of the working man and a reminder of the enduring appeal of Classic Rock. Despite some rough spots, Mellencamp proved once again that he remains a consummate performer, and his band was more than up to the task of delivering the goods.