John Mellencamp, live at Grand Canal Theatre

Multi-platinum-selling purveyor of Heartland Rock John Mellencamp may be best known for '80s hits ‘Hurts So Good’ and ‘Jack And Diane’ but this career-spanning show reveals there are plenty of other gems nestling in the back catalogue.
This was a performance of poise, control and grace. The vocals have a few more Marlboros on the clock but their low-weathered gravel suits tonight’s set.
The rockabilly-country hue of opener ‘Authority Song’ is a foot-tapping humorous riposte to the punk of impotent rebellion that leads into the lilting rock 'n' roll-folk country of ‘No One Cares About Me’ from current release No Better Than This.
Forge-fired emotional rawness is on display throughout as songs are presented as wrought struggles plumming the depths of the soul. Agonised storytelling, imploding imploring and bottled rage, set to coruscating discordant pounding, tear at the honesty of ‘John Cockers’.
An unaccompanied acoustic version of ‘Jackie Brown’ gives the rolling lilt of the original a harder, starker and rawer feel that transforms pathos into tragedy. ‘Small Town’ aches in sepia tones. An acapella version of ‘Cherry Bomb’ is even more minimalist. Mellencamp dedicates it to a guy he met on the street who asked him to play it. Is the story true? Doesn’t matter. The version is spine-tingling. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend. That other staple of Classic Rock Radio ‘Jack and Diane’ also gets a refit. Folked-up and turned inside out.
The last act of the performance shows muscle and power. ‘Rain On The Scarecrow’ is heavy, hard and heartfelt. ‘Paper In Fire’ smoulders, ignites and explodes in frenzy. Proceedings are brought to an ecstatic end with the iconic ‘R.OC.K. in the USA’ all that is truly great about American rock.
This one will live long in the memory. We need new superlatives.