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June 22nd, 2006, 08:05 PM
#1
Inactive Member
ROCK REVIEW: TOM PETTY
AS much as Tom Petty said he loved New York and that he was thrilled to be playing Madison Square Garden again, at Tuesday's concert the famous Heartbreaker bandleader laid down a lethargic concert.
For most of his the generous two-hour-plus show, the guy was free fallin' and couldn't get up.
It wasn't a totally mechanical performance, but during this greatest-hits gig, designed to showcase the Heartbreakers' 30th anniversary as a group, the man and band seemed detached and generally unenthusiastic.
It was surprising because performers usually reflect the energy that an audience brings to a show, and Petty's fans were ecstatic and totally frenzied to be there. It was as if they'd been craving to see him again since his last Garden party three years ago.
Having seen Petty last summer at Jones Beach, where he ripped the joint apart with a stunning show, it was clear how inferior he was at MSG. It was the first time the notion that he's getting old tugged at me.
At this gig, the tempos of the fast ones felt slow and the ballads trudged along drearily. Even fan favorites like "Free Fallin' " and his anthem to steel spine grit "I Won't Back Down" sounded flaccid.
It wasn't a train wreck. The show ultimately found its footing toward the end, starting with "Learning to Fly" and working through songs including "Don't Come Around Here No More," "Refugee," "Runaway," and the encore "American Girl."
Chefs know the trick of making a mediocre meal memorable is to serve an outstanding dessert. In concert, this only works up to a point.
As good as the late show was, it remains hard to forget the snoring all-acoustic "Melinda," the new strummer tagged "Square One" (from his upcoming "Highway Companion" album set for release later this summer), and the insipid "Insider" featuring a vocal turn by Stevie "Hide the Donuts" Nicks.
Nicks, who is getting a mercy-gig from Petty, did earn her keep with an outstanding lead vocal on "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around," which was written for her by TP back in the early '80s.
Because Petty is such a respected songwriter and a Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Famer, it's hard to continue bad-mouthing the man, but the other new song he was road-testing - "Saving Grace" - had little original to say.
The remedy for Petty's concert ills won't be found by playing the Garden. The man needs to get back in touch with his songs. He has to feel the excitement they bring to the fans and then reflect some of that back. A rock doc would prescribe the Jerry Garcia treatment: Rent a dark Broadway theater for a limited-engagement, 10-show run that would correspond with the release of the new disc.
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SR: Dan is entitled to his opinion but where does he get off with the insults towards Stevie Nicks ? [img]mad.gif[/img]
Every show I've seen with her she NEVER disappoints the audience or her many fans !
And as for the bag of donuts crack...She's well past her overweight phase of life ! [img]frown.gif[/img]
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