JOHN MELLENCAMP Offers Up Live EP as DYLAN, WILLIE NELSON Tour is Set

MUSIC NEWS - Hear Music today announced the June 23 release of, Life Death LIVE and Freedom, an 8-song live companion EP from John Mellencamp that features many of the key songs from Mellencamp's 2008 much-heralded Life Death Love and Freedom (full live EP track list below). The specially-priced release will be available at all retail and digital shoppes. Timed with Mellencamp's upcoming tour with Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson, a special "Deluxe Tour Pack" edition that includes both original studio album Life Death Love and Freedom packed with the new Life Death LIVE and Freedom will also be available on June 23rd.

While the Life Death Love and Freedom studio album was in various stages of production under the direction of T Bone Burnett, Mellencamp decided to "road test" the album's songs long before the release. Over the course of nearly a year, Mellencamp, variously as a soloist and with his band, introduced concert goers to the new music, an unusual move for an artist who is known for his past work. The new music blended well with his classic repertoire and was well received, something significant considering the serious themes and overall tone of many of the new tunes. These songs were highlights of Mellencamp's concerts as they spoke directly to the country about where we were and where we were headed. They include the driving, blues-rooted "If I Die Sudden," the politically charged "Jena" and the poignant "A Ride Back Home", who's studio incarnation as a duet with Little Big Town's Karen Fairchild, is Mellencamp's latest single and video release. Also part of Life Death LIVE and Freedom are the ominous "Troubled Land," which chronicles the malaise that gripped the country during the Bush years and the contemplative "Longest Days," inspired by Mellencamp's late grandmother. "Young Without Lovers" (with audience participation), the rollicking "My Sweet Love" and the folk-styled "Don't Need This Body" complete the LIVE line-up.

The new collection reflects the way the songs were heard by audiences for the very first time. Concert tracks, sourced directly from the mixing board, were not subject to after-the-fact studio enhancement, overdubbing, etc, and, as a result, offer a view of Mellencamp as both songwriter and communicator, on a truly accessible level. While Mellencamp's touring band; Andy York (guitar), Dane Clark (drums), John Gunnell (bass), Miriam Sturm (violin), Troye Kinnett (accordion/keyboard) and Mike Wanchic (guitar) are heard on both the studio and live sets, there is a markedly discernable difference in how they approach, and the intensity and tempo which transforms these live versions into something unique and extraordinary. Wanchic, part of Mellencamp's band for over 30 years is co-producer of Life Death LIVE and Freedom with John Mellencamp. Engineer Bill Chappell recorded the songs live in concert over the course of six months of tour dates through North America.

Life Death LIVE and Freedom track listing/recording location/date:

1. If I Die Sudden - Greek Theatre/ Los Angeles, July 31, 2008

2. Troubled Land - " " " " " " "

3. Don't Need This Body - Mann Music Center/Philadelphia, July 8, 2008

4. Longest Days - Greek Theatre/ Los Angeles, July 31, 2008

5. Young Without Lovers - Air CanadaCentre/Toronto, February 6, 2008

6. A Ride Back Home - " " " " " " "

7. Jena- Centrum/Red Deer, AB, February 14, 2008

8. My Sweet Love - Greek Theatre/ Los Angeles, July 31, 2008

John Mellencamp Itinerary; On tour with Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson

July 2 - Sauget, IL- GCS Ballpark

4 - South Bend, IN- Coveleski Stadium

8 - Louisville, KY- Louisville Slugger Field

10 - Dayton, OH- Fifth Third Field

11 - Eastlake, OH- ClassicPark

13 - Washington, PA- CONSOLEnergyPark

15 - New Britain, CT- New BritainStadium

17 - Essex Junction, VT - ChamplainValleyExpositionCenter

18 - BethelWoods, NY - BethelWoodsCenterFor The Arts

19 - Syracuse, NY- Alliance Bank Stadium

21 - Pawtucket, RI- McCoy Stadium

23 - Lakewood, NJ- FirstEnergyPark

24 - Aberdeen, MD- Ripkin Stadium

25 - Norfolk, VA- HarborPark

28 - Durham, NC- DurhamBulls Athletic Park

29 - Sevierville, TN- SmokiesPark

30 - Alpharetta, GA Verizon Wireless Amphitheater @ EncorePark

31 - Orange Beach, AL- The Amphitheater at the Wharf

Aug. 2 - Houston, TX- Cynthia Wood Mitchell Pavillion

4 - Round Rock, TX - The Dell Diamond

5 - Corpus Christi, TX- Whataburger Field

7 - Grand Prairie, TX- QuikTrip Park

8 - Lubbock, TX- Jones ATT&T Stadium

9 - Albuquerque, NM- Journal Pavillion

11 - Glendale, AZ- Camelback Ranch

12 - Las Vegas, NV- Cashman Field

14 - Fresno, CA- ChukchansiPark

15 - Stockton, CA- BannerIslandPark

16 - Stateline, NV- Harvey's Outdoor Arena