Big Daddy

by John Mellencamp, John Cougar Mellencamp

Overview

Continuing with the folk inclinations of The Lonesome Jubilee, John Mellencamp recorded his most ambitious and serious-minded album with Big Daddy. Mellencamp produced the record himself, giving the album a concise and stripped-down sound, which help give his songs the appearance of being gritty statements of truth. Unfortunately, Mellencamp isn't saying nearly as much as he believes he is, since his lyrics tend to be cliched and half-baked, making much of the album feel pompous and self-serving. This is only reinforced by the lack of rockers on Big Daddy, since he saves the most carefree moment -- a ripping cover of the Hombres' "Let It Out (Let It All Hang Out)" -- for an unlisted bonus track. Still, when he does hit his target, like on the gentle "Jackie Brown," the stuttering, fiddle-driven "Sometimes a Great Notion," and even the self-pitying "Pop Singer," Mellencamp proves that his talents haven't abandoned him. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	06/10/2016
Label:	Emi / Virgin / Virgin Emi
UPC:	0602547843241

Tracks

1. Big Daddy of Them All
2. To Live
3. Martha Say
4. Theo and Weird Henry
5. Jackie Brown
6. Pop Singer
7. Void in My Heart
8. Mansions in Heaven
9. Sometimes a Great Notion
10. Gentleman
11. Question

Album Credits

Performance Credits

John Cougar Mellencamp   Primary Artist
John Mellencamp   Primary Artist
Willie Weeks   Guest Artist,Guitar (Bass)
David Grissom   Guest Artist,Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Crystal Taliefero   Vocals (Background),Percussion
Lisa Germano   Violin
Mike Wanchic   Bass,Dobro,Guitar (Electric),Vocals (Background)
Toby Myers   Guitar (Bass),Vocals (Background)
Pat Peterson   Vocals (Background)
Georgia Jones   Vocals (Background)
Kenny Aronoff   Drums,Percussion,Vocals (Background)
Larry Crane   Guitar,Mandolin,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
John Cascella   Accordion,Keyboards
Nancy Arnold   Oboe

Technical Credits

John Cougar   Composer
John Mellencamp   Mixing,Composer,Producer
Jerry Masters   Composer
Ross Hogarth   Mixing,Engineer
Mike Wanchic   Mixing
B.B. Cunningham, Jr.   Composer
John Hunter   Composer,Composer
Wayne Maser   Photography
Gary McEwen   Composer
Rick Fettig   Assistant Engineer
Ross Alexander   Technical Engineer
George Corsillo   Artwork
J.K. Hunter   Composer
B.B. Cunningham   Composer
Gary McEwan   Composer
Bob Ludwig   Mastering