Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers vs Tom Petty

[_Imagine_]

Nevermind the fact that they've released more than twice as much, in albums, as He has in his solo career. Its not about quantity, its about quality. Tom Petty is my favorite Musician next to John Lennon. Anything he's done, from Mudcrutch, to the Traveling Wilburys, I love it. But whats more significant, more precious, to you? Tom Petty, as a solo artist? Or Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers? I Can honestly say, his solo work has been more precious to me. Wildflowers is the best album that I've ever heard. Full Moon Fever is an amazing album in its own right and Highway Companion is a key album to have in the 00's, cause, imo, Music today isn't that special, like it once was. My favorite Heartbreakers album is either Into The Great Wide Open or Hard Promises. Both are flawless. Damn The Torpedoes is great as well, especially "Don't Do Me Like That" and "Lousiana Rain". But To Me, they don't compare to "Wake Up Time", "You Don't Know How It Feels", "Free Fallin'", "Zombie Zoo", "You Wreck Me", "Time To Move On", etc. The man is amazing, with or without the Heartbreakers. But his solo work will always hold a place in my heart, more than anything.

[Echosoftom]

There's a special place in my heart for each and every member of the band. :heart:

It's like a puzzle to me, you take one piece away and it's just not right. As for Tom Petty's so-called solo albums, I have to admit they are some of my favorites, (except for Highway Companion) but if you really check it out, the main heartbreakers are almost always involved in even those solo projects. And always at his side is his right hand man Mike Campbell.

[_Imagine_]

Ofcourse, Mike Campbell is an essential member, solo or with the heartbreakers. And the wonderful thing about Full Moon Fever is the beautiful involvement from the Wilburys. I'm not talking about is he better on his own or with the band. I'm simply seperating the solo releases versus the releases as a band.

[Mudcrutch]

the main heartbreakers are almost always involved in even those solo projects. And always at his side is his right hand man Mike Campbell.

^exactly

I am a big fan of the bands newer stuff (echo, last dj) and while i do enjoy Highway Companion a great deal I thought it was a bit "thin" sounding compared to previous projects.

So I guess my response would be TPATH as a band and not TP solo.

[Mary Jane 49]

I like all the TPATH songs except for a couple of them , I love Full Moon Fever,but don`t love all The Wiburys stuff ,and i`ve never cared much for The Last DJ or Highway Companion , so i guess for me Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers comes out on top

[_Imagine_]

I Loved Highway Companion. To See him and Jeff Lynne at it again, the result was amazing. It was just him, jeff and mike throughout the whole album. "Square One" is so beautiful. And "Damaged By Love" touched me very much, I love that song.

[Refugee]

Well to me, there would be no Tom Petty if not for the sound the band gives him. I'm not a big fan of Full Moon Fever, Wildflowers or Highway Companion. I listen to them, but they are never the first cds I will reach for. Let's face it, Wildflowers is NOT a solo album. All the HBs were on it one way or the other.

He never does anything without Mike Campbell, there is a reason why.

[_Imagine_]

I think you guys have misunderstood my question. I'm not at all talking about Tom ALONE. I'm talking about the work he did as simply, Tom Petty and not Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. Despite the fact that they may all have heartbreakers in them, I consider them 2 sides of Tom. And the work under Tom Petty is my personal favorite.

[Refugee]

To each their own. :)

[Mudcrutch]

I think you guys have misunderstood my question. I'm not at all talking about Tom ALONE. I'm talking about the work he did as simply, Tom Petty and not Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. Despite the fact that they may all have heartbreakers in them, I consider them 2 sides of Tom. And the work under Tom Petty is my personal favorite.

Well I think thats where it gets convoluted -- no matter which way you dice it he isn't "alone" by any means.. I think that is the angle a lot of people look at it. :045:

[Mary Jane 49]

Well I think thats where it gets convoluted -- no matter which way you dice it he isn't "alone" by any means.. I think that is the angle a lot of people look at it. :045:

Thats it in a nutshell :045:

[_Imagine_]

In Retrospect, There is No Actual Solo Tom Petty. And with The Heartbreakers contributing to his "solo" work, there really is no Tom Petty w/o the Heartbreakers. You all are correct about that. I Guess we all love TPATHB, and thats who they'll always be.

[LizzieB]

I'll just add one note to the debate about TP "solo" vs TPATH. I've heard or read TP or someone from the band (can't remember who right now) say that when it's a TP solo album, there is less or no collaboration from the band on the way the songs get made. Things are always done the way TP brings them in to be done. He gets to tell everyone how their part will be. (Maybe that was something Tom said in Conversations, I really can't remember. If someone remembers something different, please correct me.)

So to me, the two are completely different. Really, the other members are basically session players on the solo albums. That said, I can't imagine that Mike doesn't collaborate on the "solo" albums.

I am biased to the TPATH work. I think the collaboration of the band makes better songs, at least songs that I like more.

[jessepop]

What's the use of comparing ? it has not to be compared, even TP does not as he plays live songs from all his albums ! In fact he's the boss, and few matters who's behind...

[Lazlow]

For me it's like this: Fish is fine. Fish & chips is better. Bagels are OK, bagels and cream cheese are great.

[emmie]

As everyone knows, it's all about Tom for me.

[Echosoftom]

^ Yes, we know. Your love has never wavered, lol. ;)