Dance Naked

I've read that Dance Naked was Mellencamp's response to the record industry not appreciating true art, that popular product can be turned out quickly. This being released just 8 months (usually takes him 2 years) after his previous, Human Wheels. Whatever the story and circumstances, Dance Naked works unexpectedly well as a left field, breezy song cycle. Chiming in at under a half hour, the album is no more than glorified EP. Throughout the jam session type feel, John seems almost flippant in both his lyrics (see "Brothers" and "The Big Jack") and vocal delivery. Sounds likely most of these vocals were done in one take. But the lack of straining to acheive some sort of grandiose commentary through production and/or words works to this album's benefit. The title track, "L.U.V.," and "Too Much to Think About" all go for a stark, innocent type whimsy seldom felt on his previous material. John seemingly proving his point to the record label, as "Wild Night" went to number 3 and the album to 13. The overall effect of the brief encounter being simple and enjoyable, like a tire swing on a lazy summer day.

CRANKED IT OUT FOR A ROCK AND ROLL WEEKEND!

This CD by John was great -lot of talent -great songs. He was a great period in his life and the music shows that.

Great songs which may not all be hits but great listening. Well worth the price and I have enjoyed the entire album.

Love it

Thanks

"Wild Nights," "Brothers," and "When Margaret Comes to Town" alone make Dance Naked worth getting. A great album from start to finish.

Like others have pointed out, this is a very short album at 30 minutes long. In that way it's similar to Big Daddy, but unlike his albums just before this, Dance Naked is much lighter in tone and more upbeat. JM stripped down his sound to match his earlier work, leaving out the folk instruments he had picked up, like the mandolin, violin, dobro and dulcimer.The title track is a great start to the album. "When Margaret Comes to Town" is also catchy guitar rock, coming right before the album's huge hit, "Wild Night." Mellencamp covers Van Morrison and does a good job. The fact that it is sung as a duet with Me'Shell Ndegeocello makes it even more appealing. There are serious lyrics on this album (especially "Another Sunny Day 12/25"), but the music is generally upbeat.Dance Naked lacks JM's famous story-songs, but it's still a gem in his body of work. The songs are nearly all three-minute ditties with catchy hooks and repetitive choruses. It's a nice CD to put in at a party.

I was going to write a review of my favourite John (Cougar) Mellencamp album, but after 23 studio albums (excluding "Other People's Stuff" which is more compilation than studio IMO) I no longer have a favourite, there are just some I prefer and some I like a little less. So instead I picked one at random to replay and review; and the one I selected from the seventeen that are currently sitting on my shelf is his thirteenth and mid career, "Dance Naked" from 1994. Perhaps this was not the best choice as it's not one of his best.At less than 30 minutes and without the textures and contrasts that his previous albums had had "Dance Naked" was a bit of a gratuitous release being born out of a spat with his record company and was an attempt by Mellencamp to produce an album of banal [my word] "radio friendly" songs in 14 days to show the lack of effort that required! It sort of worked as "Dance Naked" didn't prove quite as popular with the record buying public as the records either side of it, "Human Wheels" and "Mr. Happy Go Lucky"; but as a customer you have a right to feel a bit disgruntled at being drawn into their spat.That said, this isn't a poor set of songs or a set of poor songs, but there are only nine songs including a cover of Van Morrison's "Wild Night". The album though lacks the big production sound of his previous albums and is stripped down to the bare essentials of drums, guitars and bass, sometimes without even the bass! But that's what you get for only 14 days work! The highlights are in the first half of the album with the opening and title track, "When Margaret Comes to Town", "Wild Night" and "L.U.V.", the problem though is that it's all a bit homogeneous lacking texture, colour and contrast and by the weaker second half you start to forget which song is which and it becomes a bit of a blur.Now some may think that is a bit disingenuous, and as I said these are not poor songs, hence the four stars, but there are plenty of better John Mellencamp/John Cougar Mellencamp albums to choose from before you buy "Dance Naked"

I love this guy simple catchy songs which all have a story behind them apart from Jack and Diane he,s never got the recognition he richly deserves, a master of his art great album. Postage and packing excellent.

Part of a whole bundle of albums I purchased from this seller, very good condition and well packed. A good selection of albums are always available.

its what I wanted what can I say

This cd from John Mellencamp is a must have , try to hear the track samples on the Amazon site .