On July 31, 2003, John Mellencamp performed the complete album for a rapt, sold-out audience at New York's Town Hall. For the concert, Mellencamp was joined by the same musicians who recorded the studio album with him: Mike Wanchic (guitars), Andy York (guitars), Miriam Sturm (violin), Dane Clark (drums), John Gunnell (bass) and Michael Ramos (keyboards). They also performed stripped-down versions of Mellencamp's 'Small Town,' 'Paper In Fire' and Pink Houses,' as well as Bob Dylan's 'Highway 61 Revisited' for the intimate audience of 1,500 people, which included members of Woody Guthrie's family. 

The CD and digital audio packages both feature the complete 15-song concert, while the vinyl LP highlights 10 performances from the show. All three configurations include a new liner notes essay by Bob Merlis.