Review: Tom Petty

The difference between an oldies/heritage act and a veteran band with lots of old hits can get mighty thin at times. Tuesday night at the Sprint Center, Tom Petty made it perfectly clear which side of the line he and his Heartbreakers live on.

For nearly two hours, they gave more than 11,000 rabid fans a mix of things old and new. Petty is touring on his brand-new "Mojo" album, a collection of rock-blues songs. He would showcase a few of those amid a pile of classics and hits, mixing the present with his illustrious past.

He opened with one of his signature songs, the lovely "Listen To Her Heart." It started the first of several hearty sing-alongs, especially during the chorus of "I Wont' Back Down."  

Shows like these can become more like recitals if the band looks like it's playing everything by the numbers. Not the Heartbreakers, whose polish and discipline does not waver.

 

Petty set up his new material with some better-known rock-blues songs: a cover of  Fleetwood Mac's "Oh Well," his own "Honeybee" from the "Wildflower" album and then "Breakdown," his first big hit. 

Right before he reeled off five "Mojo" songs, he confessed he'd been "dying to play them" for his fans. Point taken. 

When you've been playing "Breakdown" at every show for almost 25 years, it must feel refreshing to launch into something new, even if it sounds vintage. But Petty is a master showman, too, so he packaged the new songs into a separate 30-minute showcase. Wise move. It allowed him to pile up more gold and oldies at the end of the show, generating extra energy and unbroken momentum. 

Live, the new tracks sounded more engaging than the recorded versions. Given the opportunity to stretch out and improvise more, Mike Campbell, Benmont Tench and the rest of the Heartbreakers looked more enthused than normal. 

The crowd showed respect for the new songs, but by the time Petty finished "I Should Have Known It," which he introduced as the band's "new single," the mood in the place was beginning to flicker. Fans were mostly just watching the band or the video screens above it.

After thanking the crowd for its indulgence, Petty reignited the mood with "Learning to Fly" and then "Don't Come Around Here No More," which ended with an extra long, loud and furious outro that shook the place. 

Speaking of loud, from where I was sitting on the floor, the sound in the arena was crisp and clear.

They ended with three more big ones that kept the room in flames: "Refugee," "Runnin' Down a Dream" and "American Girl," a 33-year-old Petty standard that never gets old. 

They didn't act like it was new or like it was the first time they 'd performed it, but, as always, Petty and his boys seemed aware that any time could be the last.

Drive-By Truckers: Their one-hour set seemed to win over lots of fans who were seeing and/or hearing them for the first time. It is a natural attraction. The Truckers' mix of country, roots rock, Southern rock and classic rock dovetailed nicely with Petty's music. Attendance was a bit thin when they started -- "If this place were smaller you guys would be a lot louder," cracked Patterson Hood -- but had swelled to about half-full as it ended. 

The arena wasn't the kindest setting for them, but they made their point to the uninitiated: They are a major league band that puts on a good show. The set list included "Drag the Lake," "Carl Perkins' Cadillac," "Santa Fe," "Heathens," "Ghost to Most," "Zip City" and "Sink Hole." 

Tom Petty setlist: Listen To Her Heart; You Don't Know How It Feels; I Won't Back Down; Free Fallin'; Oh, Well (Fleetwood Mac cover); Mary Jane's Last Dance; Honey Bee; Breakdown; Jefferson Jericho Blues; Good Enough; First Flash of Freedom; Running Man's Bible; I Should Have Known It; Learning To Fly; Don't Come Around Here No More; Refugee; Runnin' Down A Dream; American Girl. 

| Timothy Finn, The Star

Comments

[JJ]

They played 5 new songs from Mojo. You missed Running Man's Bible. Great concert!

[Gary Dean]

TOM Petty Rocks Dude !

[Gary Dean]

Got a good Boot of this show

musicatto@hotmail.com

[Bob Asher]

I agree that the sound was mostly great. My first Sprint Center show and I was impressed. Petty is a master showman.

[Larry Luper]

If Petty and The Heartbreakers, understandedly wanted to rip into tunes from "MOJO," fine. But they should be wiling to play longer and satify fans by playing more of the older well-known tunes.
I an liking "MoJO" the more I listen to it, but is seems better for a blues club show, more intimate. But with only 11,000, several thousand less even with $25 tickets, with the user fees taxes etc rip-off, than the show from the Summer of 2008. And they have a great drummer now, but he is no Stan Lynch.

[djtapley]

Great Show! It reminded this old woman that she's still got some rock and roll in her. Thanks guys.

[Randall]

I never begrudge older acts for wanting to play new stuff, but the 5-song set from "Mojo" was tough going for me--not so much because they're new songs, but because I'm allergic to blues jams (I'm not liking the new album much, either). I would have preferred them sprinkled throughout the night rather than played all in a row. The rest of the show was excellent, though.

[tim finn]

Forgot to write down bible tks

[Larry Luper]

Tim,
Your review was right on as usual. My earlier comment, if anyone cares, might seem as if I were completely negative.

[Mike]

Geez, Stan's been gone for over 10 years, and he left on his own. Maybe time to get past him? Steve is more than capable. I agree with Randall that it would have been better to sprinkle the new songs throughout the set. Plus, this show seemed to have less energy than 2 years ago. I don't know if they played fewer songs this time than last time, but it seemed like it. I give credit to Petty though, he always appears as though he is genuinely having fun and enjoying playing for the audience. No Great Wide Open at this show, kinda disappointed by that.

[True Fan]

Excellent show...excellent review. Glad they included "Listen to Her Heart" and "Honeybee", which didn't make it onto the set list for other previous shows during this tour.

[KG]

I've been down front for every TP show in KC/St. Louis for the past 25 years and I thought last night's show was just about perfect. "Honeybee" and "I Should Have Known It" were barn- burners. The only other thing I could have asked for was "Jammin Me". Great band ... great show.

[secret admirer]

djtapley,
You are not old. You dont look a day over 22 and you are still one of the most beautiful woman around.

Keep on rocking beautiful.

[Marcos]

The kind of show that reminds you why you put up with ticketmaster, expensive beers, etc. A true professional band who has the goods, the class, and appreciation of their fan base. Tim, as usual, spot on review.

[the fox]

Great show....great band.....too expensive...too short.....inconsiderate people....
that sums it up!!!

[KJ]

After seeing Tom Petty's concert two years ago, I could'nt wait for this show. He still is great but the five (in a row) of the new songs was a bit much, I can understand playing 1 or 2 new songs, but not five. I came to hear the old songs, as it takes me back to my younger days. His concert two years ago was my favorite.

[Bubba Brown]

Loved seeing TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS at an indoor venue. Last two times I saw him were both at Sandstone - in 2002 with JACKSON BROWNE (who I actually enjoyed his opening slot, as I doubt I'd EVER catch him as headliner) and again in 2005 with the BLACK CROWES. Don't really miss Kemper Arena or Sandstone THAT much anymore - however IF one of those venues gets torn down - as SOME speculate - I would be a bit sad to hear about it. Things CHANGE, but great rock & roll always gives you priceless memories. Great performance, there - TOM PETTY! don't stop touring until you hit age 75. You haven't lost a beat in thirty-six years, my friend.

[ABC]

Bubba, word has it that Tom Petty is an avid user of Keith Richards' topical creams, so he should last another 10 years easily. As for Keith Richards.....

[Keef]

...and now for another viewpoint from a long-time Petty fan:

First off, The Drive-By Truckers (whom I like) sounded muddy their whole
set from where I sat up in the heavens. But my main complaint is that they are touring their new album, "The Big To-Do," and yet didn't play the album's best (and most stage-worthy) two songs, "This ***ing Job" and "The 4th Night of My Drinking" and yet played "The Flying Wallendas," which is possibly my least favorite Truckers' song EVER. That made NO sense.

It was my first time seeing them and I know with support bands that there are time restrictions and the venue to take into consideration, but with the exception of John Neff's lovely Pedal-Steel work, the band just was not that impressive. The line about "If this place were smaller you guys would be a lot louder" is actually attributed to the Truckers' other vocalist, Mike Cooley. I bring him up, because he is about as bland a vocalist as you will find in Rock. Just a horrible live introduction to this band for me.

Would Tom Petty & Company save the day?? Sadly, no. Again this is coming from a longtime Petty fan (and paying customer). I thought the Petty show at the Sprint Center in 2008 was absolutely fantastic. It was everything last night's show was not. At least for me, anyway. I know Tom is getting older, but he seems to have lost a step in his overall performance. It was still there two years ago. What happened? Was I the only one who noticed that "Refugee" didn't have a fraction of the energy or intensity that Tom usually gives it?

But the half-hour "suite" of songs from Tom's bland new album was just wretched. I sat through the whole thing and watched the fans hit the exits in droves. Surely all who were there witnessed this, right?? This portion of the show, which took up about one-third of the set (excluding the encore), was a slow, plodding BORE. Not even the bargain-basement Laser show could save it. Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench are always great to watch, but out of the eight Petty shows I've seen over the years, this was by far the worst, and quite possibly the most boring Arena show I've seen in many years.....and this is coming from a Tom Petty fan of over 30 years!

[Geordan]

I will agree that all the new songs were a bit much to take last night. I'm not against bands promoting their new album, as that's the one of the main points of touring. It's just that Petty's new material just isn't very good. So Petty decides after eight years to record a new album and goes for the whole 'Blues' vibe, which I didn't really hear that much of in the new stuff. It seems like a lazy move on the band's part. Put out another killer ROCK album and then I'll take five or six new songs back-to-back.

[Josh G]

I thought Drive by truckers were horrible. I sat in section 102, and either the bass was too high or the treble too low, it was bad. They can keep on driving.

[Josh G]

I agree that the 2008 was the best show (seen every one in the KC area) that I have seen since my first Petty show in 1995 where I just fell in love with his music. Prior of that I care less for the music. Also that was teh last greatest thing I did with my dad in 2008, and that concert was good. This one was solid. I felt the 5 set new songs was too long maybe a 3 set of the new songs. and sub in "Into to the Great Wide Open" and "Time to Move on"

[Josh G]

Boy I wish ZZtop or Joe Crocker or Crosby Stills and Nash was the opener like other shows than that crap DBT

[Marcos]

Hey I saw Cocker open for him in Colorado so remove them from your list. You would have wanted ZZ Top or CSN vs. Joe who is 80 if he is day.

DBT were really a victim of no sound check. Not until the last song did they get it down correctly.

[Saxboy]

I agree with the comment above about the muddy sound. It may have been great on the floor (?) but in Sec.122 the lows overwhelmed the vocals and turned everything else into one sound mass. I like hearing the new stuff and give him props for not trotting out only the stuff we've heard for decades. DBT never had a chance because of the sound. I may buy the CD to find out what the lyrics are!

[goodenough]

We thought DBT soudded terrible from 3rd row, left of center. All we could hear was overamplified, muddy music that was overwhelmed by the pedal steel and the unnecessarily hard pounding drumming. We could not hear the fiddle player AT ALL or the vocals from the bass player. I thought the band seemed like my kind of music, great musicians, and I would have liked their show if I could have just heard it correctly. My ears were ringing by the time TPATH came on and saved the evening for me, TOTALLY. I loved hearing new songs and was happy to take five in a row. With the exception of Running Man's Bible, those songs burned and sizzled in a way that hadn't come through on the CD. Mike Campbell totally rocked my world! I was disappointed that we only got a 2-song (vs. usual 3 song) encore.

[JJ]

I thought this show was a lot better than the 2008 greatest hits show. I think the new album is great and they could have played the whole thing for my money. I have never seen Mike Campbell unleashed like he was at this show. Best of the 5 TP shows I have seen.

[D-Bob]

TP is a master showman - not by running around and screaming like most rock stars - just a class act. I'll spend this weekend looking for some of those awesome red rocker boots.

[Bubba Brown]

DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS were okay - but after the first twenty minutes, their sound got sort of old. After that point, it was sort of like hit-and-miss.

I would have loved to see maybe MGMT open for TOM PETTY or maybe the BODEANS, or possibly one of the former BYRDS members that are still playing.

Oh, and yes - guitarist MIKE CAMPBELL managed to 'cut loose' this time out.

[Petty Fan]

I would like to personally thank the party in FLR1 row 10 seats 1-2, and the family in FLR1 row 11 seats 1-3. You guys are all class acts and I really appreciated your company and behaviour last night.

I would like to tell the foul-mouthed diminutive bimbo in FLR1 row 11 seat 5 that you are too short and fat to sit on the floor at the Sprint center. You have unrealistic expectations of the mental capacity of Sprint center security staff and what they can do for you. I sincerely hope I never cross paths with you again, and I am so disappointed that I did not get the chance to tell you personally what a miserable little bitch you really are. C'mon...you were in seat 5 and exited across the section to the opposite side after the show?....

I would like to tell the lady in FLR1 row 10 seat 5 that you should purchase two seats for such events in the future. Had last night's show been an airline flight, you would have been left on the tarmac for only purchasing a single seat. I'm also concerned for your health in this heat.

I would like to tell the jarhead wannabe Sprint security staffers which roamed FLR1 outer aisle to take some remedial courses in physics, geometry, and basic human relations. You should also invest in some mouthwash or breathmints if you intend to invade others' personal space declaring "don't put your hands on me". You're nothing but of bunch of mush-brain pussies.

[Tim Finn]

... other than that, how was the show?

[KCJones]

That's really too bad that the DBT's sound wasn't good. They are really a great band. I was afraid that they wouldn't translate too well in such a huge place as Sprint Center, and it sounds like that was the case. I would just like everyone to know that normally they are an incredible band that puts on a helluva show. I suggest that next time they come around (soon I hope), you'll give them another chance and check them out.

[Tom]

For those of us who go to see Petty regulary when he is out & about, we love to hear the New Songs performed live. Thats a real problem today, nobody wants to take time to listen. Classic Rock stations drive me nuts with the same 100 -150 tunes played over & over & over..............

[Tim Finn]

the sound was muddy for the truckers, even from where i was, front and center. but that's often the case for the openers, it seems.

[Bubba Brown]

Tim Finn - ha-ha-ha! Thanks for sharing that tale about the short, FAT and RUDE bitch that was (apparently) annoying at the TOM PETTY concert. I've seen THOSE types as well.

Two years ago when I was at Starlight for the ROBERT PLANT & ALISON KRAUSS concert, there was a guy that KEPT whinning (like a bitch boy) to the securtiy that the people in the fifth row - down front were 'blocking' he wife's view of the show. Don't you all just LOVE these drama queens?

[Scot]

Wasn't at last nights show but have seen DBT numerous times and just want to chime in with the praise. One of the greatest shows I've ever seen was their set at the Grand Emporium in '03. Catch them the next time they do a headlining show (which KC is way past due for) and you won't be disappointed.

[Tim Finn]

ah, that wasn't my comment.

[Howard Epstein]

"I thought this show was a lot better than the 2008 greatest hits show. I think the new album is great and they could have played the whole thing for my money."

......You, my friend, must be a glutton for punishment, JJ. The new songs were weak and I'll say that it took massive huevos for Tom to subject us to such torture. As for Mike Campbell, who is an awesome guitarist, I thought he was much looser at the 2008 Sprint Center show and even seemed a bit subdued last night. Seriously, I think I witnessed a much different show than some others here did.

[Stanley Lynch]

Tom sez: "we love to hear the New Songs performed live. Thats a real problem today, nobody wants to take time to listen."

Yeah, I have the new Petty cd, have listened to it for about a month now and it just doesn't resonate. Petty does have an incredible discography, but MOJO is a blemish to his legend, in my opinion. Some of us DO take the time to listen, Tommy Boy, but perhaps we just don't like what we are hearing.

[jewel]

This was written like you were possibly not there... no pictures? My first TP&THB concert so I loved every second of it. I do think the MOJO tunes would be fabulous in a small venue atmosphere... up close and personal. I'm ready for round two... even with 5 new tunes!!

[Charlie O]

giggling ..... yup he never goes to shows, he just writes ....uh ...
oh hell, hehehahahGHAHAA....
I cant even make something up... anyway .....hahahahaha
whew..... hehe
I heard that Cinderella had a tremendous set.

[Andy]

... or as Pink Floyd would say ....
"A NICE PAIR"

[Green]

I recall band of horses set being muddy at the pearl jam show, part of pearl jams set was a little muddy as well, truth is, I usually find opening acts to be like this, i wonder if its mental, musicianship, the mix ... all of the above.

[Curt]

Drive By Truckers sucked. No one came to hear them drone on for a hour. Play your 30 minute set and get the hell off.

[Fred Sanford]

Drive by Truckers may be a sound best heard whist smelling cedar chips, standing in the rain, in line waiting to use a urine drinched, overflowing stinking porta potty.

[ABC]

Hopefully, readers will ignore the 6 trolls who go to shows to hear the hits and nothing else. When they leave they keep the dial locked on KC's Favorite Classic Rock Superstation until the next show they can flame away for not playing the hits and being subjected to new bands and music created within the last 5 years.

Keef, I'm sorry you find Flying Wallendas so disappointing. I saw them at the Columbia show in May and found myself liking the song even more live. They also pulled out an incendiary version of Buttholeville, which is a song I've never found to be that strong, but really rocked it this night. I agree that they should play "This Fucking Job". There was a cool interview with them on American Routes last Saturday. Nick Spitzer really knows his stuff and always pulls a great interview off.

[bobinop]

DBT is indeed a band that would benefit from a smaller venue and headliner status. As someone familiar with their considerable (and much acclaimed) body of work I can assure Curt that they most certainly do not "suck." They are widely regarded as one of the smartest bands currently working, and would be a perfect act to headline in a place like the Midland. The mix for their set did suck however, so much of their message was lost in boombox that is often Sprint Center. Conversely, TP's sound was as good as I've heard in that venue. Can't quite figure why the disparity, but I hear it often between opening acts and headliners. Don't know how the same guys working the board can get the sound both so wrong and so right back-to-back. Perhaps a conspiracy. :-) As for TP, he and his band are pro's and put on the show that I expected. I personally liked the new stuff, and thought that the visual and lighting production way exceeded expectations. I agree with the writer who commented on Mike Campbell's playing being somewhat restrained; I've heard much better from him. A good evening overall, well worth the $$ spent.

[really]

Let me get this straight;

The reason the crossroads has cedar chips all over the ground is to cover up the smell of urine coming from the overflowing and foul smelling porta-potties?

really? that is gross.

Why dont they just have real bathrooms like most concert venues do? How weird.

[Geordan]

Sorry, ABC, but I'm not a troll because I don't like Petty's new material. I am all for bands evolving and putting out new stuff, as long as it's not a boring pseudo-Blues atrocity like MOJO. I paid to see the show, didn't really care for it, and should be allowed to give an opinion without being labeled a "troll." How #@%*ing DARE you! If I didn't go to the show and was just talking sh*t, THEN you can call me a troll and you'd be right.

Also, I have been a music fan all my life, go to many shows of all genres (I'll be lounging at Knuckleheads tonight, in fact), and listen to a helluva lot more new stuff than old and find the Classic Rock stations to be pretty much played out. So your assessment is just wrong. I suppose I wouldn't have minded the new stuff if it were spread throughout the show (and was simple BETTER material), instead of being hit with a half hour of bland music back to back.

[Spell checker]

Meant "simply" better material in my rant. My kingdom for an EDIT button....