With multiple Grammy nominations, decades of famous music, and an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by his good friend and fellow musician Billy Joel, John Mellencamp is nothing short of legendary. This singer-songwriter has been called the father of Americana — his innovative Appalachian folk-rock sound spurred on the explosion of heartland rock in the nation during the last quarter-century.
Mellencamp's latest and 21st official studio release, No Better Than This, came out this past August. Produced by T-Bone Burnett, the album is (as you might expect) raw and powerful. Mellencamp traveled across the country, recording the album in several historic locations. The end result is what he rightfully describes "as American folk as I've ever seen."
This World Cafe segment originally aired on Dec. 10, 2010. (link)
| Kirsty Maccoll | Angel | Titanic Days |
| Warpaint | Undertow | The Fool |
| Old 97's | Champaign Illinois | Grand Theater Vol. 1 |
| John Mellencamp | Save Some Time to Dream | Recorded Live for the World Cafe |
| John Mellencamp | The West End | Recorded Live for the World Cafe |
| John Mellencamp | Small Town | Recorded Live for the World Cafe |
| John Mellencamp | Longest Days | Recorded Live for the World Cafe |
| Midlake | Roscoe | The Trials of Van Occupanther |
| Sarah Jaffe | Clementine | Suburban Nature |
| Sarah Jaffe | Better Than Nothing | Suburban Nature |
| The La's | There She Goes | The La's |
| Best Coast | Boyfriend | Crazy for You |
| El Guincho | Novias | Pop Negro |
| Neneh Cherry | Sassy | Home Brew |
| Michael Franti & Spearhead | Say Hey (I Love You) | Recorded Live for the World Cafe |
| Destroyer | Chinatown | Kaputt |
| Fleetwood Mac | Hypnotized | Mystery to Me |
| Cold War Kids | Louder Than Ever | Mine is Yours |
| B-52's | Planet Claire | The B-52's |
| Death Cab for Cutie | Bixby Canyon Bridge | Narrow Stairs |
| Ra Ra Riot | Boy | Orchard |