Hello,

To be honest it was curiosity and a cut-price ticket that led me to see J.M. for the first time last night. Apparently he hadn't played in the U.K. for 20 years which ensured that last night had the feel of a real fan's show: you could understand how much it meant to the faithful to see and hear the guy who many would argue has never sold-out.

He has plenty of stories, patter and banter in between songs: he said that he doesn't normally play requests and then proceeded to tell us how he met a charming bloke while strolling around Manchester earlier and then dedicated this fan's song to him. He also mentioned that he aimed to play a ton of songs, so the song you want to hear will probably be aired soon enough!

The style of music veered between folk, blues, rock and a blend of all three: it was played loud, with feeling and was a joy to listen to. The pre-show announcement said that dancing and singing was welcomed by the band and it didn't take too much for the folk on the floor to get up, which is always great to witness.

At times there were up to eight musicians on stage but occasionally it would just be J.M. solo with his acoustic guitar- he held your attention, regardless. To top it all, he hauled a delirious fan from the audience and had him sing a few bars from the closing number, 'R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A.'...just splendid!
If it sounds like a great show to you then please go and see him tonight in Hammersmith if you can...I just hope I can see him play before 2031.



























Cheers,

Simon.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2011-07-02 22:03 by SimonN.

Hi,
saw him June 26 in The Hague, Holland. Great show, great music. Good sympathetic guy.
worth the money. Loved it.
byeeeee
jeroen

Very nice Si. Just curious. What was the fans request that he played?

"It's just some friends of mine and they're busting down the door"

Hi S.C.L.,

I'm afraid I haven't a clue as to it's title: I cannot blame beer for this but only a faltering memory. Which is probably caused by beer, hah-hah!

However we do have the set list...

Authority Song
No One Cares About Me
Death Letter
John Cockers
Walk Tall
The West End
Check It Out
Save Some Time To Dream
Cherry Bomb
Don't Need This Body
Easter Eve
Jack & Diane
Jackie Brown
Longest Days
Small Town
Rain on the Scarecrow
Paper in Fire
Crumblin' Down
If I Die Sudden
Pink Houses
R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.

Which adds up to two hours of quality singing and playing. Thanks John and co..

Cheers,

Simon.

His setlist is good. Can't wait for his show, see John Mellencamp next week.

Quote
SimonN
Hi S.C.L.,

I'm afraid I haven't a clue as to it's title: I cannot blame beer for this but only a faltering memory. Which is probably caused by beer, hah-hah!

However we do have the set list...

Authority Song
No One Cares About Me
Death Letter
John Cockers
Walk Tall
The West End
Check It Out
Save Some Time To Dream
Cherry Bomb
Don't Need This Body
Easter Eve
Jack & Diane
Jackie Brown
Longest Days
Small Town
Rain on the Scarecrow
Paper in Fire
Crumblin' Down
If I Die Sudden
Pink Houses
R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.

Which adds up to two hours of quality singing and playing. Thanks John and co..

Cheers,

Simon.

most of that looks like his standard setlist this tour although there are 4-5 tunes he alternates in certain spots. its possible he planned on playing one of those other songs but the fan requested a song that happens to be in his rotation so he put it back in for this night

Last night at the Hammersmith Apollo he told the same story except the guy was in London! The song was Cherry Bomb.

Big fan of John's but never seen him before buy I would definitely see him agaon. Excellent show, top band especially guitarist Andy York who I'd seen before with Ian Hunter.

Hi B.C.,

Hah-hah-hah! The rotter! Never trust a story told from the stage...

Top band indeed- I didn't place J.M.'s top guitar-slinger with Ian, though. I should pay attention.

Like I said, I just hope it's not another 20 years...

Cheers,

Simon.

The request in The hague appeared to be Cherry Bomb.
Byeee
jeroen

maybe the same guy follows mellencamp around and keeps requesting the same song lol

i guess its a rather "spontaneous" remark from mellencamp.
byeee
jeroen

Hello,

A barnstorming finale in Manchester on Friday, and one rather happy chap...





Cheers,

Simon.