I'm too old to be out on a school night

First and foremost, before I even recap the concert, let me tell you something I know for certain: I am too old to stay up that late and be out romping on a school night. It's official, I am past my concert-going prime. Not that this revelation will stop me, but it's now proven fact.

I have been a long-time Mellencamp fan and was truly excited about seeing this crusty, angry musician perform. However, before I was allowed to hear the man I came to see, I had to live through the opening act. I have never managed to make it to a concert that had a cool opening act. I hear people talk about seeing Mellencamp open for Heart or Kravitz opening for Aerosmith. I have never been privvy to even the potential of hearing a quality opener. It was no different this evening.

So, onto the recap, which I have already shared with Jenny from the Blog. Mellencamp was himself: an angry, cigarette smoking, working-man advocating, politics-espousing bad ass and I love him. His show was raw. His music loud and anti-establishment. He rocked. He came on stage, cigarette hanging out of his mouth, ready to knock some sense into us and that he did.

He spent some time reminding us how he feels about the US being in the midst of a war, his dislike for our commander-in-chief and overall disgust with the clean-up following Hurricane Katrina. Using "Love & Happiness", a song written over 25 years ago which still rings true today, as his platform, he made a lot of sense and his compassion moved me. Such exclamations weren't well received in a red state such as Indiana, but I have to admit I made all the noise I could in support of Mr. Mellencamp (who I find myself politically aligned with), much to the dismay of some of those around me. I wanted to yell, "What did you expect, this is John Freaking Cougar Mellencamp, you knew how he felt before you got here."

I will say though, that the gray-haired man in the Dickies blue uniform parading across the stage was not the same guy I saw nearly 15 years ago. He took frequent breaks, some of which were very prolonged and noticeable. He sat through a few songs, coerced bandmates to sing "Hurt So Good". He changed the line-up continually and obviously and spent a lot of time directing his band via hand signals and obvious "chewings".

However, I was enthralled. I was amazed at his passion on stage. I was captivated by his physical antics. He rocked. Enough said.

I tried to remember a song list to share with dear Jenny, but I fear that I can only recall what most moved me including my personal favorite "Little Pink Houses".

I have always thought that it would have to be an amazing and moving feeling to know that an entire audience of people knew every single word and note to your life's work. In many songs including "Jack & Diane", "ROCK in the USA" and "Authority Song", he just let us sing the words and as I looked around everyone knew every single word, every "ooooooh" and every pause. That has to be a tribute to any musician. I know his body of work has moved me, become something of a soundtrack to my life and will continue to play in my head as I think back over events and memories. Yes, in the midst of concert going, I managed to buy yarn. The top photo is of the yarn I plan to use for the sock class, it's Meilenweit Fun & Stripes (80 percent wool) and so funky. The photo above is of the Lamb's Pride Worsted in oatmeal, roasted coffee, Victorian pink and oregano that I plan to use in making a kitty bed. It's official, I am knitting for the cats now.