Personnel: John Mellencamp (vocals, guitar); Mike Wanchic (guitar, dobro, mandolin, organ, mellotron, background vocals); Andy York (guitar, mandolin, harmonica, organ, mellotron, chamberlain, percussion, background vocals); Lonnie Pitchford (slide guitar); Jimmy Ryser (violin, background vocals); Miriam Sturm (violin); Dennis Riggins (saxophone); Tim Riggins (trombone); Harvey Phillips (tuba); Moe Z. M.D. (organ, programming, background vocals); Jeff Pedersen (organ); Kenny Aronoff (vibraphone, drums, percussion, programming); Raphael Saadiq, Toby Jeffrey Myers (bass, background vocals); Milton Davis (bass); Junior Vasquez (percussion, programming); Gomi, Joe Moskowitz (programming); Pat Peterson, Susie Ronson (background vocals).

Recorded at Belmont Mall, Belmont Indiana, in January 1995 & June 1996.

All tracks have been digitally mastered using HDCD technology.

"Key West Intermezzo (I Saw You First)" was nominated for a 1997 Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. "Just Another Day" was nominated for a 1998 Grammy for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance.

All tracks have been digitally mastered using HDCD technology.

Rave and roll? Rave rock? For MR. HAPPY GO LUCKY, this stalwart songwriting talent has come up with another batch of soulful, bucolic rock songs. But this time--surprise--he has added some cutting-edge trip-hop drum loops and samples to his signature heartland rock.

The urban rhythms somehow sound natural in the context of Mellencamp's seasoned roots rock. He could have easily left his songs in the electric folk-rock format on which he made his name, but the experimentation here proves he's not ready to sit back on his laurels. He really seems interested in exploring new musical territory. And it's only right that the man who could be the godfather of today's alternative roots rock (i.e. without whom there could be no Hootie) is the one hammering the genre into exciting new shapes.

Rolling Stone (9/19/96, p.82) - 4 Stars (out of 5) - "...The record is long on atmospherics, a dark-carnival collage of mad laughter and distant whispers....those effects are well matched to the songs, which are among the darkest and wittiest that Mellencamp has ever delivered..."

Q (11/96, p.129) - 3 Stars (out of 5) - "...nothing so radical as a genuine change in direction, but rather a more contemporary take on those typical vignettes of down-home American life. Rhythm is no longer the sturdy, Stonesy push that's driven so many Mellencamp hits, but something altogether more modern and daring..."