Refugee
06-06-2008, 01:14 PM
"Dependable" isn't a particularly sexy adjective to use in reference to a superstar rock act, but what better way to describe Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers?
Over the course of 32 years, they have churned out rock music of the highest caliber, while always remaining relevant in a constantly changing musical universe.
While most artists who started out in the mid-'70s have been relegated to working the baby-boomer nostalgia circuit of mid-sized venues, Petty and The Heartbreakers still fill hockey arenas--and with more than just those who remember 50-cent-a-gallon gasoline.
The reason why was evident Thursday night, as Petty and company opened a two-night stand at the Wachovia Center.
Kicking off their two-hour set with a typically scorching "You Wreck Me," Petty and his teammates conducted a rock 'n' roll clinic, serving up a flawless set of muscular, no-frills tunes marked by memorable, hook-filled melodies, concise, accessible lyrics and impeccable musicianship, all serving the greater good that is Petty's singular nasal-drawl vocal style.
Thursday's set doesn't exactly qualify as a "greatest hits" show; there were more than a few signatures-- for instance, "I Need to Know" and "Listen To Her Heart"--that were left off the set list. But even the most casual Petty-phile had to have been satisfied by such radio standards as "I Won't Back Down," "Break Down," "Even the Losers," "Mary Jane‘s Last Dance," “Refugee,” “Roll Another Joint,” "Runnin' Down A Dream" and "American Girl."
For the hardcore fans, Petty offered a few bonbons, including "Sweet William," an obscure, five-year-old track that appeared on a German EP. The song was a gem, hopscotching between smoky blues-rock and 1960s psycheldic rave-up. Another nugget, which came in the encore, was “Bo Diddley’s A Gunslinger,” Petty’s tribute to the rock pioneer who died earlier this week, and who was one of his idols.
On every number without exception, the five-man Heartbreakers--original members Mike Campbell (guitar), Ron Blair (bass) and Benmont Tench (keyboards), Steve Ferrone (drums) and Scott Thurston (guitar, keys and harmonica)--reinforced their claim to being, with the possible exception of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, the greatest American rock group of all time. And, as he's done for a generation, Campbell reminded the sold-out audience that he remains a criminally underrated ax-man.
His playing may not be particularly elegant. And there are surely flashier, more fleet-fingered players. But few can match Campbell’s unerring feel and style that perfectly blends musicality with pure rock ‘n’ roll energy and abandon.
Every lead Campbell took was praiseworthy, but his slide playing on “Face In the Crowd” could have come from the legendary Eric Clapton/Duane Allman LP, “Derek & The Dominoes.”
Enchancing every note was the stage set, a series of erector-set arches holding LED video screens of various configurations that was a marvel of high-tech form and function.
"The waiting," Petty sang Thursday, "is the hardest part." To which can only be said, “amen.” That’s because waiting for this brilliant performer and his equally sublime crew of musicians to return to Philly will indeed be excruciatingly difficult.
Supporting the headliners on their current road trip is hardly your garden variety warm-up act.
Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Famer Steve Winwood, a rock god in his own right, spent about an hour surveying a good chunk of his own illustrious career, which began when The Beatles were still four lovable moptops from Liverpool.
Although he sampled his latest CD, "Nine Lives," it was, not surprisingly, his more vintage numbers that earned the surprisingly youthful-60-year-old singer-composer his most enthusiastic responses.
These included Traffic's "Dear Mr. Fantasy" and "Light Up or Leave Me Alone," and Blind Faith's "Can't Find My Way Home" (on which he displayed some impressive lead guitar moves).
Whether the songs were old or new, Winwood, who mostly played a Hammond B-3 organ, was sharp and engaging, his soulful vocals borne on the jazzy, deep-groove accompaniment of his tight four-piece band.
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080606/NEWS01/80606001/-1/data
Over the course of 32 years, they have churned out rock music of the highest caliber, while always remaining relevant in a constantly changing musical universe.
While most artists who started out in the mid-'70s have been relegated to working the baby-boomer nostalgia circuit of mid-sized venues, Petty and The Heartbreakers still fill hockey arenas--and with more than just those who remember 50-cent-a-gallon gasoline.
The reason why was evident Thursday night, as Petty and company opened a two-night stand at the Wachovia Center.
Kicking off their two-hour set with a typically scorching "You Wreck Me," Petty and his teammates conducted a rock 'n' roll clinic, serving up a flawless set of muscular, no-frills tunes marked by memorable, hook-filled melodies, concise, accessible lyrics and impeccable musicianship, all serving the greater good that is Petty's singular nasal-drawl vocal style.
Thursday's set doesn't exactly qualify as a "greatest hits" show; there were more than a few signatures-- for instance, "I Need to Know" and "Listen To Her Heart"--that were left off the set list. But even the most casual Petty-phile had to have been satisfied by such radio standards as "I Won't Back Down," "Break Down," "Even the Losers," "Mary Jane‘s Last Dance," “Refugee,” “Roll Another Joint,” "Runnin' Down A Dream" and "American Girl."
For the hardcore fans, Petty offered a few bonbons, including "Sweet William," an obscure, five-year-old track that appeared on a German EP. The song was a gem, hopscotching between smoky blues-rock and 1960s psycheldic rave-up. Another nugget, which came in the encore, was “Bo Diddley’s A Gunslinger,” Petty’s tribute to the rock pioneer who died earlier this week, and who was one of his idols.
On every number without exception, the five-man Heartbreakers--original members Mike Campbell (guitar), Ron Blair (bass) and Benmont Tench (keyboards), Steve Ferrone (drums) and Scott Thurston (guitar, keys and harmonica)--reinforced their claim to being, with the possible exception of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, the greatest American rock group of all time. And, as he's done for a generation, Campbell reminded the sold-out audience that he remains a criminally underrated ax-man.
His playing may not be particularly elegant. And there are surely flashier, more fleet-fingered players. But few can match Campbell’s unerring feel and style that perfectly blends musicality with pure rock ‘n’ roll energy and abandon.
Every lead Campbell took was praiseworthy, but his slide playing on “Face In the Crowd” could have come from the legendary Eric Clapton/Duane Allman LP, “Derek & The Dominoes.”
Enchancing every note was the stage set, a series of erector-set arches holding LED video screens of various configurations that was a marvel of high-tech form and function.
"The waiting," Petty sang Thursday, "is the hardest part." To which can only be said, “amen.” That’s because waiting for this brilliant performer and his equally sublime crew of musicians to return to Philly will indeed be excruciatingly difficult.
Supporting the headliners on their current road trip is hardly your garden variety warm-up act.
Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Famer Steve Winwood, a rock god in his own right, spent about an hour surveying a good chunk of his own illustrious career, which began when The Beatles were still four lovable moptops from Liverpool.
Although he sampled his latest CD, "Nine Lives," it was, not surprisingly, his more vintage numbers that earned the surprisingly youthful-60-year-old singer-composer his most enthusiastic responses.
These included Traffic's "Dear Mr. Fantasy" and "Light Up or Leave Me Alone," and Blind Faith's "Can't Find My Way Home" (on which he displayed some impressive lead guitar moves).
Whether the songs were old or new, Winwood, who mostly played a Hammond B-3 organ, was sharp and engaging, his soulful vocals borne on the jazzy, deep-groove accompaniment of his tight four-piece band.
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080606/NEWS01/80606001/-1/data