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Get Breaking News on your cellWe were there: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers at AAC
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Though he never acknowledged it to the audience Wednesday night, it was clear a few songs into Tom Petty's set at American Airlines Center that he was under the weather, perhaps road-worn from three months on tour. It also was clear that whatever ailment, it wasn't going to prevent the 57-year-old pop rocker and his band, the Heartbreakers, from putting on an engaging, energetic, two-hour show. "We've got a big song list, so I'm going to get right to it," Mr. Petty told the packed crowd after opening with a pair of songs spanning the period of his career he would focus on, the late 1970s to the mid-'90s. Mike Campbell had already wrapped his distinctively ringing guitar sound around "You Wreck Me" and "Listen to Her Heart," and Mr. Petty pretended to be overwhelmed by the audience's cheers. (Photo by GUY REYNOLDS/The Dallas Morning News) But during the next song, "I Won't Back Down," his vocals were noticeably off, croaky even for a guy whose Dylan-like slur-snarl has some croak built into it. He also kept sipping from a thermos that was regularly refilled by a roadie. "You know we're coming to the end of pretty lengthy tour," Mr. Petty said as he introduced the band. With the lower register a particular strain, he talk-sang through parts of "Mary Jane's Last Dance" and an encore of the well-covered Them classic "Gloria." After Mr. Petty and the Heartbreakers whipped through some of their biggest hits, including "Free Fallin' " and "Even the Losers," opening act Steve Winwood returned to the stage to perform extended versions of his hits "Can't Find My Way Home" and "Gimme Some Lovin'." Seemingly inspired by the jamming with Mr. Winwood, the group stretched out for the rest of the show, leaving its trademark jangle behind and turning such staples as "Breakdown," "Honey Bee" and "Refugee" into stinging blues-rock workouts. |
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Comments
Posted by Mary @ 1:24 PM Thu, Aug 28, 2008
Geez that's harsh. I hope I'm that "under the weather" at 57! I thought the show was awsome and the audience around my floor seats seemed to agree.
Posted by Mary @ 1:26 PM Thu, Aug 28, 2008
Geez that's harsh. I hope I'm that "under the weather" at 57! I thought the show was awsome and the audience around my floor seats seemed to agree.
Posted by Priscilla @ 1:35 PM Thu, Aug 28, 2008
Maybe your writing is "under the weather" I was there, the show rocked! Tom Petty did a great job entertaining the crowd as he should, he has been at this for many years. I hope I am still rocking like him at 57.
Posted by Mike C. @ 1:35 PM Thu, Aug 28, 2008
Yeah kinda harsh!, My self & everyone around me loved the performance, He sounded to me very much on key & to the radio sound versions that you hear @ 57, Wow, They play like they are half that age!, TP rocks! Winwood could have played a few more of his older songs but he still rocked!
Posted by Sandee @ 1:36 PM Thu, Aug 28, 2008
I'm with you Mary! We were in the platinum seating, everyone around me were singing and dancing and we all had a great evening, It was a memorable birthday night for me :)
Posted by Mike C. @ 1:37 PM Thu, Aug 28, 2008
Yeah kinda harsh!, My self & everyone around me loved the performance, He sounded to me very much on key & to the radio sound versions that you hear @ 57, Wow, They play like they are half that age!, TP rocks! Winwood could have played a few more of his older songs but he still rocked!
Posted by KB @ 1:45 PM Thu, Aug 28, 2008
Sound was awesome-even in the cheap seats. Music was great- much better than radio version. AAC was rocking!
Posted by KB @ 1:54 PM Thu, Aug 28, 2008
AAC was rocking! Steve Winwood was great! Tom Petty was great! Music was so much more amazing than hearing over the radio- even from the cheap seats! Vocals were great! Musicianship was amazing! Great night! Thanks SW & TP!-Dallas loves you! Yall catch more of Tom on XM Radio on his Burried Treasure show- Thursday all day Ch.2.
Posted by Obvious Man @ 1:55 PM Thu, Aug 28, 2008
Here's a tip before you attempt any future reviews. Learn your craft. Read the review of last night's concert in the Star Telegram. Take some notes. Then maybe you can write a review that is worth people's time to read.
Posted by Bill Muncey @ 2:18 PM Thu, Aug 28, 2008
Yoooo I thought it was one of the best shows I've seen in the Dallas area in a long time. Section 105 was on board and rocking....
Posted by Mia @ 2:29 PM Thu, Aug 28, 2008
Must agree with the rest of those in attendance, it was one of the best shows I've ever seen. I don't think anyone in the entire arena sat down the whole show!
The Star Telegrams review was much more on target.
Posted by Robin @ 2:50 PM Thu, Aug 28, 2008
Manny Mendoza, Special Contributor...special contributor of what? I last saw TP live in 1981 (Hard Promised Tour). He sounded just as AWESOME last night as I remembered. Everyone was singing and dancing (all ages were represented in section 211) . My 21 year old son loved him as much as I did. Your review is what's under the weather. Seriously, were you really there???
Posted by Petty Fan @ 2:56 PM Thu, Aug 28, 2008
I totally agree!! As for us sitting in Section 121, the concert was Awesome. Tom Petty put on a great show, as did Windwood!! We had a great time. Yeah, were you there???
Posted by Petty Fan @ 2:59 PM Thu, Aug 28, 2008
I totally agree!! As for us sitting in Section 121, the concert was Awesome. Tom Petty put on a great show, as did Windwood!! We had a great time. Yeah, were you there???
Posted by Karen @ 3:01 PM Thu, Aug 28, 2008
I don't know where Tom and the band get their energy, having crossed the mid century mark myself now. They always delight and amaze me. Mike Campbell seems so humble to me and he is beyond greatness. I adore Tom Petty and all the great Heartbreakers, who are always on target. Tom may have been tired, but he doesn't show it with his bravura performances. I will always tip my hat to this band. Bravo guys!
Posted by Sally Dell @ 3:06 PM Thu, Aug 28, 2008
I thought the show was amazing. Great guitar playing - the old, pure rock and roll sound that only Vox can deliver. I don't agree that he had a bad night, but even if it was - TP and the HBs deliver much more even 'under the weather' than most can on their best night!
Posted by Sally Dell @ 3:06 PM Thu, Aug 28, 2008
I thought the show was amazing. Great guitar playing - the old, pure rock and roll sound that only Vox can deliver. I don't agree that he had a bad night, but even if it was - TP and the HBs deliver much more even 'under the weather' than most can on their best night!
Posted by Susan @ 3:08 PM Thu, Aug 28, 2008
I have no idea what you are talking about. Tom Petty and Steve Winwood both sounded awesome to me. If it can get better than that I can't wait to go back and hear them again pronto.
Posted by Matt @ 3:16 PM Thu, Aug 28, 2008
This was my 40th Tom Petty show since 1977. I don't know where or when the article writer was born but I do know that this was the BEST show I've ever seen them do. It truly had .44 Magnum stopping power! What an awsome thing for them to do in their inclusion of Steve Winwood in the extended guitar jams and as an opening act. Wow! The writer of the article obviously didn't know what true musical perfection was on stage. Has he ever tried to play an electric guitar and if so to try and stay in perfect time with the other musicians? I didn't sense any illness in Tom and don't know how the writer can make such a claim since he's not a medical professional and probably has no musical background. TP & the HB's ROCK!
Posted by LL @ 3:18 PM Thu, Aug 28, 2008
I don't think I've read a concert review so far off the mark. Star Telegram described it perfectly. The reviewer for the DMN sounds a little under the weather. I see a lot of shows - both new and old, the TP show last night was great.
Posted by LL @ 3:18 PM Thu, Aug 28, 2008
I don't think I've read a concert review so far off the mark. Star Telegram described it perfectly. The reviewer for the DMN sounds a little under the weather. I see a lot of shows - both new and old, the TP show last night was great.
Posted by LL @ 3:20 PM Thu, Aug 28, 2008
I don't think I've read a concert review so far off the mark. Star Telegram described it perfectly. I see a lot of shows - both new and old, the TP show last night was great.
Posted by Rocker @ 3:47 PM Thu, Aug 28, 2008
DMN reviewers hate everything - they think it's their job to find fault with everything and everybody. God forbid they actually enjoy something much less write about it. Wish I could have been at this show - from the REAL reviews it sounds like a great time was had by all!
Posted by Mark M @ 3:55 PM Thu, Aug 28, 2008
That's why you go see the shows! The press will not do one any favors. I've seen Petty a # of times and that show ROCKED! Ranked it right up there with the Stones shows.
Posted by PoopJack @ 3:58 PM Thu, Aug 28, 2008
Who cares what the critic wrote. I witnessed one of the best Arena shows in Dallas in the last decade.
Dave Campbell was jamming and Petty was rocking. I thought his voice was a bit harsh due to one to many hits off the bong.
We sat 12th. row center and the place was hopping and a great time was had by all.
Posted by PoopJack @ 3:59 PM Thu, Aug 28, 2008
Who cares what the critic wrote. I witnessed one of the best Arena shows in Dallas in the last decade.
Dave Campbell was jamming and Petty was rocking. I thought his voice was a bit harsh due to one to many hits off the bong.
We sat 12th. row center and the place was hopping and a great time was had by all.
Posted by mike @ 4:07 PM Thu, Aug 28, 2008
Stop! You're BOTH right!
A. It was an awesome show, as it always is when TP & The HB come to town. (anyone see them open for and then BACK Bob Dylan at Reunion Arena back in, oh '86 ???) the band, especially Mike Campbell, are hard to beat. And they put on a great show and as usual, had a little "added value" in the selection of Mr. Fantasy to not only open the tour, but to sit in with them in the middle of their set.
Those two sons, Can't Find My way Home and Gimme Some Lovin were the high-light of the evening for me. last time Petty played Dallas, he brought along surprise guest Stevie Nicks! This man knows show business and he knows how to entertain. Done.
THE SHOW WAS PHENOMENAL.
B. All that said, manny is right in his observation that the band was tired and ready to go home. LOOK, these guys are professionals, both the band AND the critic. The Band did a heroic job of rockin in spite of their weeks and weeks on the road, and Manny, reading between the lines and seeing TP clear his throat a few too many times, took note for the public the fact that touring is hard and does take a toll on those in the biz. This ain't their first rodeo, and they knew the job when they took it. Both.
Posted by tompettyfan @ 4:10 PM Thu, Aug 28, 2008
To tvboymanny: were you at the show? Really? And, why is there no mention of the Traveling Wilbury's number in your review?
Posted by craig b @ 4:16 PM Thu, Aug 28, 2008
They put on a great show last night--had a great time in section 13----tp and the hb's rocked out well, and winwood was a bonus--gimmee some lovin was killer!!
Posted by Kevin @ 4:42 PM Thu, Aug 28, 2008
Were you the idiot in the floor seats behind me that wouldn't shut up? Probably not, since you were obviously at a different show than everyone else. TP sounded fine - the band was great and Steve Winwood had a longer opening set than most bands, which was deserved, given his stature.
Posted by jinglechick @ 5:42 PM Thu, Aug 28, 2008
YOU ARE KIDDING.....TP ROCKED the house...he sounded as good, or better, than ever. The band was tight, the musicianship stellar, the acoustics and mix were perfect. Enjoyed the show? It was the best concert I've seen in years. Added bonus was Steve Winnwood ....you rock STEVE!
Posted by KRM @ 5:55 PM Thu, Aug 28, 2008
Terrible review. This was the show of the year. Two bona fide rock legends. Every song Tom played was a hit! Not surprising with such an incredibly extensive hit list. And, Steve Winwood rocked, sprinkling in all of his material from Spencer Davis, Blind Faith, Traffic, and his solo career. Highlight was Mr. Fantasy from Traffic. And, when he joined TP on stage, it was absolutely incredible. Probably the most powerful show in Dallas this year, and the worst music review this year. Was this guy even there? No discussion of Winwood's song list? Good God, man, talk about dialing it in!
Posted by AB @ 5:58 PM Thu, Aug 28, 2008
@Mike: I absolutely agree. The show was great. And Petty seemed a little under the weather. Clearly others didn't pick up on it, and that's not surprising, since Petty's such a pro. Maybe Petty wasn't singing with Winwood because he wanted to give the man props. Maybe that thermal mug behind him on stage - and the one the roadie was fixing behind the stage - was full of Wild Turkey. Maybe he wasn't hitting some of his vocals as hard as usual because he and the HB tweaked the arrangements (something I love about this band - they always mix it up). Or maybe he had a sore throat. No shame in that. Either way, Manny didn't say it was a bad show...
Posted by Shari @ 7:17 PM Thu, Aug 28, 2008
I have never had the privilege of seeing Tom Petty or Steve Winwood prior to this show... The band was awesome too... I thought that it was indeed one of the best shows that I have seen lately and I have seen quite a few. I didn't care if the voice was a little off on some of the low songs... I didn't mind one bit... I also loved the reworked songs into a blues style... I really dug that... I got a kick out of G-L-O R-I-A too... We got our money's worth! ROCKIN' Awesome and even my seats were good!!!! So needless to say that it was a great night... You should have been there...
Posted by Shari @ 7:18 PM Thu, Aug 28, 2008
I have never had the privilege of seeing Tom Petty or Steve Winwood prior to this show... The band was awesome too... I thought that it was indeed one of the best shows that I have seen lately and I have seen quite a few. I didn't care if the voice was a little off on some of the low songs... I didn't mind one bit... I also loved the reworked songs into a blues style... I really dug that... I got a kick out of G-L-O R-I-A too... We got our money's worth! ROCKIN' Awesome and even my seats were good!!!! So needless to say that it was a great night... You should have been there...
Posted by Shari @ 7:19 PM Thu, Aug 28, 2008
I have never had the privilege of seeing Tom Petty or Steve Winwood prior to this show... The band was awesome too... I thought that it was indeed one of the best shows that I have seen lately and I have seen quite a few. I didn't care if the voice was a little off on some of the low songs... I didn't mind one bit... I also loved the reworked songs into a blues style... I really dug that... I got a kick out of G-L-O R-I-A too... We got our money's worth! ROCKIN' Awesome and even my seats were good!!!! So needless to say that it was a great night... You should have been there...
Posted by shari @ 7:21 PM Thu, Aug 28, 2008
I have never had the privilege of seeing Tom Petty or Steve Winwood prior to this show... The band was awesome too... I thought that it was indeed one of the best shows that I have seen lately and I have seen quite a few. I didn't care if the voice was a little off on some of the low songs... I didn't mind one bit... I also loved the reworked songs into a blues style... I really dug that... I got a kick out of G-L-O R-I-A too... We got our money's worth! ROCKIN' Awesome and even my seats were good!!!! So needless to say that it was a great night... You should have been there...
Posted by Liza Mudd @ 8:41 PM Thu, Aug 28, 2008
I think your review is right on. I have only missed one TP show since 1983 and Tom's age is definitely showing. He usually plays a much bigger song list with more jamming tunes. Too much time spent between songs...didn't look like the entire road crew showed up to help with instrument changes, etc. I love TP & the Heartbreakers and will keep coming back for more but this was not their usual performance.
Posted by Liza Mudd @ 8:42 PM Thu, Aug 28, 2008
I think your review is right on. I have only missed one TP show since 1983 and Tom's age is definitely showing. He usually plays a much bigger song list with more jamming tunes. Too much time spent between songs...didn't look like the entire road crew showed up to help with instrument changes, etc. I love TP & the Heartbreakers and will keep coming back for more but this was not their usual performance.
Posted by Scott @ 12:10 AM Fri, Aug 29, 2008
Oh, come on, everybody. You know Tom Petty was stoned and sleep-walked his way around stage for a couple of hours until he could get backstage and get his hands on that hooka again.
Posted by brad @ 5:27 AM Fri, Aug 29, 2008
1:55 a really long set for anyone, particular a bunch of guys in their late 50's. Yeah his voice was a little rough. So was mine after the show. He has done over a hundred since February. The time between songs is called pacing. It made for more energy in the songs and more songs on the set.
Steve Winwood really rocked with the Heartbreakers. His solo set on the other hand was plain out lame.
Posted by Don't stop the music @ 11:21 AM Fri, Aug 29, 2008
Shoot, we needed a Sherpa to make the final ascent to our seats at the top of 318, but at 57 years of age, this man and his band can ROCK!!! Was great to see Stevie Winwood do his best at some very great songs. TP&HB's are still one of the hardest working bands in the world. All in all a great, high energy concert. I've seen probably about 150 shows at venues like this and this one ranks in the top 5.
Posted by Josh Byers @ 3:44 PM Sun, Aug 31, 2008
Your face is under the weather. Next time Tom Petty comes to town he is going to beat you unmercifully. I am going to laugh when the Heartbreakers start kicking you when you are down.
Posted by Josh Byers @ 3:45 PM Sun, Aug 31, 2008
Your face is under the weather. Next time Tom Petty comes to town he is going to beat you unmercifully. I am going to laugh when the Heartbreakers start kicking you when you are down.