John Mellencamp On the Rural Route 7609

This four-disc box set is a collection of the Heartland rocker’s demos, alternate takes and works-in-progress over the course of his long career (the “7609” in the title is a reference to 1976 and 2009, the dates these recordings span). Included will be an early version of Mellencamp’s Number One hit “Jack and Diane,” titled “Jenny at 16,” plus two spoken word recitations of Mellencamp’s lyrics by controversial Princeton University professor Dr. Cornel West and actress Joanne Woodward. Also featured will be an early version of the Trisha Yearwood duet “Deep Blue Heart" (from 2001). As of Dec. 2009, Mellencamp’s Web site says the set will offer four “albums” that will not be set up chronologically.

Abstract by Tony Sclafani