2000s
The Petty Archives

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Petty performance makes fans proud
By Clay Jones
The Free Lance-Star - Thursday, August 4, 2005

COLUMBIA, Md. -- The Mad Hatter himself dropped in on Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia last week to perform to a sold-out audience.

Tom Petty announced that he and the Heartbreakers had just arrived at the venue after spending the majority of the day on a tarmac in New York. It seemed as though he was still there through most of his performance, as the band appeared to walk through several numbers in its sleep.

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But the crowd didn't mind if Mr. Petty was just going through the same motions he's been repeating for the past 30 years. The audience was on its feet from the opener, "Listen To Her Heart," to the final encore, "American Girl."

The Black Crowes opened the show to great crowd support, displaying the same tightness they exuded in the '90s while they were still selling records and selling out their own tours.

Petty took a few short cuts on some of the vocals, and the crowd picked up the slack, singing every word.

The only confusing moments came when the Heartbreakers covered The Animal's "I'm Fine" and played "Melinda," a new song of their own, which sounded similar to another Petty hit, "Yer So Bad."

Exhibiting the influences of the legendary Bob Dylan, the Heartbreakers covered Dylan's "Knocking On Heaven's Door," which has been done to death from artists from Jimi Hendrix to Guns N' Roes to whoever is playing this Saturday at The Bourbon Room on William Street in Fredricksburg.

One highlight of the performance of the Traveling Wilburys' "Handle With Care," with Petty tackling the George Harrison vocals and utility player Scott Thurston handling the Roy Orbison vocals. Petty dedicated the song to "all of the Wilburys, wherever they may be traveling," which was a sweet touch.

Mike Campbell, introduced as the co-pilot, and sporting a new and confusing dreadlock look displayed all the guitar skills he's delivered for three decades. His guitar and mandolin playing were as tasteful and complementary to each song as they are on the recorded versions.

The Heartbreakers didn't use many theatrics during the lengthy breaks they took to change guitars between each song. There was only one instance between songs where Petty and Campbell didn't change instruments.

Keyboard player Benmont Tench filled up a good chunk of time with a solo long enough for Petty to smoke a cigarette onstage with his back to the audience. He would occasionally look over his shoulder to make sure the audience was still there.

Original Heartbreaker Ron Blair has returned on bass, and with drummer Steve Ferrone, rounded out the rhythm section.

Despite the tired look and slowness of the band at times, it seems Petty's following in this area wouldn't mind if he and the Heartbreakers "came around here" more often.