Shelter

In terms of covers I really think they should stay as far away from early 90s they can. In general.  Spoonman would be straight out pathetic, I think. I can perhaps see one or two of the strongest songs from the era being picked up, pulled apart and pieced together TPATH style, if it was to be planted deep in a mix of other things. Kinda like Cash's American Recordings project. Nothing is impossible, but as a theme or a well to scoop lots, I'd say.. please god no.. 
The more I think about this, the more I like the idea. However, I also get more and more convinced that it should not be "live", as such. If they edit, mix or even add minor overdubs to such recordings.. all the better! That way they (TP) don't have to feel the preasure as much, he can really try a few songs, versions and takes, he can play more stuff than he needs, he can cull from a bulk of stuff that they had played anyway during rehearsals and so on...  before deciding what works, what take or material to use, and if needed, he can "fix" stuff up a little in postproduction... And sure, something like that Mojo promo photage is a good aim, I think. If it even has to be filmed? I don't think it does.
A simple enough "Clubhouse Tapes" mini albums series would be the best idea. (I am thinking of what has snuck out.. the likes of Lost Highway and such.. what Rubin did with Cash of course, but even more casual, even more focused on what they themselves likes to do.) I'd say, perhaps a few installments, a few months apart, with a handful of songs each (5-6?), premiering as exclusive "Clubhouse" segments on TP Radio (for real value to the subscribers), and then as high res download bundles for purchase as value goodies to fans (and a little extra income to cover distribution expenses).
It's anyone's guess and hopes, what one such mini album would contain.. let alone to dream up the content of a whole series of five or six bundles...?! I have a fair idea of what I'd find interesting to hear them do within such laid back, music driven concept,.. but I rather they just let their own hearts and desire guide them. Whatever, really.. as long as they can keep the mix interesting, most importantly include a lot of their own neglected material to avoid becoming just another bar band, and try to refrain from making it one never ending Chicago Blues Fest... The blueprint for this idea, being it dollardime's or whomever's - is genius thinking! It really should happen! A great and creative way for the boys to stay around home and play and still go places artistically!
 
 
 

9/27/1969
48 years ago today, The Beatles released their Abbey Road LP. I haven't listened to this clip yet, cuz I'm listening to The Battle of The Bands, "TPATH vs The Byrds" on Tom Petty radio XM. As soon as it's over, I'll listen to this where John Lennon talks about and explains each song on Abbey Road. Here is the link, enjoy.
https://glidemagazine.com/video/48-years-ago-today-beatles-release-abbey-road-lp-listen-track-track-analysis-lennon/?ref=yfp
 

Voted for All The Rest, but would also love a new Mudcrutch album.
I'm in Australia, so it's pointless voting for a tour!

My opinion on your poll:
All the Rest---Aside from the sound quality Wildflowers isn't a special album to me, it's not one of my favorites and signaled a shift in Tom's songwriting towards a more mid-tempo groove and ballad type style. But I realize this is a favorite album of many people. Had Tom never brought this up as a possibility fans wouldn't be waiting in frustration for its release. But he did, and now I think he needs to follow through and have it out there. Perhaps it's all the record company's fault, who knows? So I think this is what he should tackle next. I'm generally not fond of re-releasing records that are now altered so I'd prefer All The Rest as its own record but I realize Tom may want to integrate the songs into the album. Heck, it could very well change my opinion of it.
Wildflowers Tour---This goes hand in hand with All the Rest. Since he mentioned this as a possibility, a tour based on one of his most beloved records and I'm going to say his most beloved record not just by him but by fans, as well besides Greatest Hits, I think he should follow through. I actually think the original Wildflowers should've been performed on the 40th tour followed up by a second set of 10 big hits. I hope for those who love these records that the tour is a proper tour and not a one-off or residency. However, I don't know if that will happen for a while or at all after this tour. But the songs on this record seem a perfect fit for where Tom is now, sure there are some uptempo or heavier rock songs on here but most of it is a mellow, somber and bluesy if in feeling not actual style that I think he and the band would enjoy playing. It would be good if they stretched a few numbers out besides YDKHIF and King to offer some musical variety for both band and audience. I think Crawling Back To You could be quite a jamming heavy groove song or I could see Benmont adding some nice moody organ to Don't Fade On Me. And I would hope the improvisational bridge of You Wreck Me would get even longer and stranger and wilder with time. I disagree with Tom though, I think this record would go over well on a larger tour in the same places they just played, because I think it is most peoples' favorite record, bringing in new fans and eclipsing Damn The Torpedoes in the popular view.
New TPATH album---I'd be surprised if they ever released another album of theirs I'll enjoy as much as Hypnotic Eye. The record's filled with energy and the experience of years and tours playing together, the slower songs were interesting experiments, different from anything they'd attempted before, the album ends on a heavy groove song taht goes on for a while and it has the most consistent rocking songs he's released in years; a much overdo and refreshing change from the somber Echo, the slowpaced ballad heavy Last Dj and the overlong confused yet filled with gems Mojo. But new music is where Tom has always seemed most energized, if he doesn't want to repeat Hypnotic Eye than I hope he goes forward into something strange and experimental, with different song structures, embracing the weird psychedelic streak running through the band, instead of a falling back into ballads such as Angel Dream or more country and blues. I also don't see the point in touring behind a record either which consists of playing three to four new songs and then the same old thing they've offered. I realize this is probably a minority opinion for those who can't get enough of whatever this last tour was. 
New TPATH tour---No interest in this.
New Mudcrutch Album---Sure. I think they'll probably do a third, have a trilogy of records but just that they released two different but fine records is pretty good in and of itself! But it seems too close to when the second one came out for a third to happen so soon. 
New Mudcrutch Tour---Since these are usually short I think most would be happy with another set of concerts but I could see them focusing on a one-off or residency at this point. After the 40th TPATH I doubt they'll be any big tour again, aside from maybe Wildflowers.
New Tp Solo---No interest. I think he said he's done with these anyway.
TP to stick to his radio channel/show---No opinion, don't listen to it. Figure he'll keep it going sounds like it's a fun hobby for him, being a dj.
TP to produce other artists---No opinion, don't listen to anyone he's produced. 
Something Else----Years and years ago there was the rumor of Frank Black and the Heartbreakers doing an album; that would've been fun but I doubt it will ever happen...heck it may not have even be true.
I think, as others on here have suggested but a little different from what Dollardime said above that Tom should play some online broadcast concerts from their rehearsal room, a chance to experiment, jam, play deep cuts and the much beloved covers, have the recordings free to record for the fans and share in soundboard quality from the broadcast. Let people know with enough time to tune in. It doesn't have to be a regular thing but just a fun, going to jam and treat the fans to songs Tom would'nt play on these tours. Like a residency but longer and with more of a focus on deep cuts and jamming. Free of expectations of crowds or the concern of boring people, they could explore their discography. These should be made available to everyone, not just members of the fan club, etc. But if that were the case, then Tom should allow people to share the recordings after, so the Highway Companion club people get the live tune in and others can still enjoy the audio later on. The point is, these should be free, and should be fun. 
I think TPATH would rediscover songs that they've forgotten and maybe have more of an appreciation for them.
cheers
 
 

I'd love them to release footage of their rehearsals in The Clubhouse. I remember reading an interview recently where Benmont said that when they got together for this tour to practise that they didn't really get around to playing the set list songs until about a week before the tour started and that they just played for themselves which was a lot of blues numbers. That would be very special to see and hear the vibe of the band just messing around in the clubhouse  (albeit messing around to a very high standard given the greatness of the bands abilities ) without having to 'put on a show for the 20k in a sports shed. That footage would be priceless to see...the mini documentary of about 20 minutes released to coincide with the release of Mojo being a reference point in what I'd be looking for. .but even less edited. ..just let the cameras roll and see what happens...be that a did release or a 'cabin down below' titled cd/vinyl or mp3..could be a Tom Petty radio series...Tom and the band giving a bit of commentary on the songs they play and why when they're just playing for themselves as a bit of fun with no tour or album pressures to worry or think about. That would be the most precious thing I'd love to see from the band...probably also the least likely thing to actually get released but all the more reason to make it happen. 

I wouldn't mind a run at the VIC in Chicago again. 

I cant tell you how many times I read "No one here gets out alive" by Danny Sugarman / Jerry Hopkins about the doors.  
"When I left Home" by and about Buddy Guy was also a very interesting read. 

I just ordered this compressor pedal called a "Jangle Box" 50th  Byrd's anniversary model. This 1st video shows it being played with a Tele and Vox AC 15. The 2nd video is just a guy playing a RIC 12 string George Harrison model 360/12, not Roger's 360/12, nor his 370/12, but you get the sound of the 12 string. 
Jangle box Byrd's 50th anniversary
 
INTROS of Roger McGuinn and The Byrds
 

Ok. So, for all intents and purposes, that's it then. Tour is over.  
And as far as intents and purposes goes.. they may have backfired a bit here. This year, what seems like the usual perfectionist showman's aim to frame (tame) the pure heart rock'n'roll experience in a suitable way for today's profitable cold hard entertainment business, to "play the game" as it were - a balance act that TP has proven able to perform with charming results in the past, being both real and a traveling brand at the same time - may have gotten straight out of hand. Hard to tell if it's the aim itself, or the age and stamina of the players in the face of the general vast scope of it all, but this really strikes me as the ROUTINE TOUR of all tours. The professional machine like approach, the clinical, dead meat, so to speak - perhaps meant to be a more vague safety measure, preferably more invisble, a backdrop framing the pulsating heart at center stage, perhaps meant for charming the expectations of today's shallow market - has instead itself taken front seat. I mean, sure, it is stupid times, but you don't have to play along. Especially not if you're Tom Petty.  
Now I know, many (most) don't agree with that description of what's been going down. But that - alas! - is actually part of my very view itself, strengthened by numerous reactions read and heard about this tour. Because the one thing that seems to equal the low level of artistic investment in this tour (once the show was concieved, rehearsed and preprogrammed, that is), is the low expectations that end in a general consensus of how great, dynamic and alive it is. Stunning really. To me, it's puzzling, not to say uncanny, how on earth people fail to see that the emperor has no clothes here. Or perhaps more to the point - with fans like that, who needs enemies...? 
Now it's finally over and I can only hope for a quick wake-up and recovery in artistic terms, whatever is next on the agenda. Come on, Tom, it's ok to say no, rather than struggle through anything lame like this ever again! Please, can we please not have the reality show "The Petty's" on top of this?

Hi guys!  I did get to go to the show at the Hollywood Bowl on Friday night and it was wonderful.  I'm sure you are all disappointed to see that the set list remained the same but Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers were amazing as ever at the Hollywood Bowl!  The crowd was on their feet and singing along with every song!  The fan energy was incredible and I can't imagine how great it must feel to the band at this time in their life to make people so happy. They sold out all three shows at the Hollywood Bowl!  They are always a thrill to me and I wasn't even in the first few rows!  I think I was in about the 10th row but the energy was great and I felt like I was part of something big. Tom was in really good spirits and very chatty. Mike Campbell blows me away he is so freakin badass!  Good grief, could the man be any more talented or cool? 68 years old and the crowd goes crazy for him!  He is pure rock & roll cool!!   Benmont was on fire too!  I love how well they did with the video screens and they really focused on Benmont's hands at the right moments in the song. And I loved all of the old videos and pictures they played during the songs. It was just so fun to be celebrating the 40th anniversary with them in that special venue. I had a ball! 
I picked this T-shirt up at the show  

 
Now tonight is the last night of the tour. I heard that Jeff Lynne was spotted milling about so maybe he will join them!

In the name of trying to make the world a better place, I was gonna try to direect all your attention towards one of the last beacons of actual real radio. With great, wonderful music too! And the DJ's actually play the music themselves. AND answers the phone! So, when the big screens go black for the day... welcome to the real life last dj of our times, the one and only K-PIG radio, Freedom, California.* Remember where you heard it first! (I first hear it in 2004, myself). 
The best radio station I have ever heard. Quite frankly. (Sorry Tom, brand radio can never compete, even if you got the best one there is.) Anyway, here goes..
https://www.kpig.com/listen/
 
---
*Chanses are that unless you are within reach of FM 107.5 out there, you may have to pay/get the app and whatever. But that may be the best money you will ever spend.

As for me, I'm trying to be as cynical as I possibly can. Because the approach, at this point, really asks for it. Vegas, you said it. Snoozefest.
That said, I like to think, "on a basic human level" TP is fine and dandy. Perhaps even as an artist. Recent era examples suggest as much. As a performing artist though, he's run out of steam in a big way here. I realize that him admitting this would not have sold as many tickets, and wasn't part of his deal. But in the gap between what he tells his fans what he's about and the actual thing he delivers, I find myself free fallin, and not in a good way. I think the line between rock and product has been going from blurred to dismissed and I think dignity is the main casualty. Youre right. It is sad. For real. Its been sad following this year. (Even more so on the very alive Mudcrutch adventure that went down just prior to this).  
Problem is that the shallow interest of the masses don't even seem to recognize this finalization of the transformation from rocknroll to exhibition (that some of us have worried about but hoped that TP would manage to stay clear of). Profitwise it seems like a no-brainer to sacrifice the artistic pride and enter machine mode. Hence a good reason to keep grinning and serving it up in a technically perfect but soulless manner. Next stop - the fairground circuit. Or. By all means - Vegas. "Hello.. all ye blue haired ladies feel the mojo tonight?!"

9/23/17
The Kinks
 

Illustrates perfectly the difference between going out with a boom and going out with a whimper.
Can't believe they skipped one of this tour's few highlights, You Got Lucky, again.
Two more to go.. Although it seems this year's been unusually tired and routine, perhaps a little bit of l-i-f-e will seep through at the very end. At this point, something really creative and inspired may be too much to ask.. but.. like I said..  two more.. come on!!

Ok.. so now it's just the Bowl to go! Cross my fingers. And, while it's good to go out with a boom, some fresh rockers rotated into the mix hopefully (but not likely) .. after these long and hard travels for the band, how about just handing MC the mandolin, give TP a barstool to sit on, to rest his poor leg..? That is, for second night, how about cutting the tired routine a few songs short (let's keep the backbone of the set, but let's rest say.. I Won't Back Down, Runnin' Down a Dream, You Don't Know How It Feels, It's Good To Be King, Yer So Bad and Don't Come Around Here No More and then let's throw Swingin, Breakdown and American Dream Plan B back in.. perhaps adding The Waiting..).. making the main set a short, but smoking 14 song affair, ending with You Wreck Me & American Girl. Then, let's instead hear it for a long beautiful acoustic barstools-and-candles encore segment... should be sweeeet with the Web sisters on high harmony and Scott on 12 string.. Purhaps a bit too creative, but...
1-Rocking Around With You
2-Mary Jane's Last Dance
3-Forgotten Man
4-Swingin'
5-Free Fallin'
6-The Waiting
7-Walls
8-Crawling Back To You
9-Learning To Fly
10-I Should Have Known It
11-Refugee
12-American Dream Plan B
13-You Wreck Me
14-American Girl
part2
15-It'll All Work Out
16-Wildflowers
17-Even The Losers
18- No Reason To Cry
19-Breakdown 
20-Alright For Now
 
fade to LA night
 
 yeahright

9/19/17
Bob Seger
 

"From across the canyon / A guitar Plays / Through an amplifier / On long delay"...
Could this be a coincidence? I think not!

You mean, kind like TP reenacts the same play over and over to standing ovations...
Or, the way I repost my opinion of it. Save the popularity.
Wait. What did I just say...

^ Interesting. The FB effect has been talked about for more than a decade now. Not just here, but concerning how people communicate in general, aspects of ego vs community, surface vs depth, inputs vs insight and so on.. the impact FB (& co) have had on society in general. Some for better, most, arguably, for worse. Important and largely misunderstood or overlooked issues, surely. I do have to ask though, since I'm now not on FB and have no idea about the pros or cons of FB TP "communities" - What are they? What do they contain in form of information and actual discussion, and sharing (stuff, as well as thoughts and opinions that are shared in more than three words and a smiley)? Is FB an actual contender to a place like this or is it just the masses going bland, short sighted, disengaged, lazy, illiterate? Or does it add stuff? And what does it all say about TP popularity, what does it say about the in depth interest of his fans, and what does it say about our times and habits in general. My general theory in these matters is.. "devolution", but I really want to know more from people on the "inside" how it all compare. Thanks!

Sending thoughts and prayers, tomfest. 

9/6/17
Jelly Roll Morton
 

9/8/17
Led Zeppelin
 

9/12/17
Gene Vincent
 

My power is back on!!!  😀

OK, I'll go 1st. 1 of my best friends and I used to hit a lot of bars on a regular basis!!! 1 of our friends worked at local bar and found out that another bar nearby was for sale and he bought it and called it "BUD"S". We used to get there at 11am when they opened and have a beer and then ordered wings for the 2nd beer. They made wings ANY way you could think to order. We always ordered their GARLIC wings, they were the best in the world!! Crispy and loaded with garlic. Needless to say, after an order of wings, NO one would even sit close to us!! Til this day, the WD still talks about how she couldn't even come in the house for 3 days after my garlic wing binges. Since then, my friend died about 5 years ago and the owner of the bar died at 38 years old shortly after that. I just talked to my friend from high school this morning that I haven't seen in many years and he asked me to meet him and about 10 others from school for breakfast tomorrow morning. I said ok, where? He asked me if I knew where a place called Buddy's was! I said sure, I spent many hours there, but wasn't sure if it was even open these days. I don't know who owns it now and if they still have wings, but I'll find out. Who knows, I might know the new owner! Other than that, I've always enjoyed the wings at Beef O'Brady's with Marion and Pete. We went everytime I visited them and it was always great. Thanks Marion and Pete, I owe you a dinner when I get back to Florida.