Berkeley Review: 09/29/06

bikerchic · #1 10-01-2006, 11:21 AM

Posted September 30, 2006 11:31 PM
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers have had many memorable nights during their 30 year career.

Friday night at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley wasn't one of them. In fact, it was a show that the band might want to forget.

On the first of three nights at the Greek — the second was Saturday and the third falls nearly a month later on Oct. 27 (with the Dandy Warhols opening!) — Petty, one of the surest bets in the live music game, came across as merely mortal. That was especially true in direct comparison to the superhuman effort he gave during his last swing through the venue in August 2005, which might have been the finest Heartbreakers gig I've ever witnessed.

It was by no means a bad show, something that the star is seemingly incapable of delivering. But it wasn't his regular thrill ride either, as the band seemed to be on cruise control for a surprising portion of the night. The set list also could have used some work and the special guest star, Petty's ol' pal Stevie Nicks, didn't help matters.

Then there were some pesky technical difficulties that basically pulled the plug on the band's (allegedly) elaborate video and light show. The end result was that the Heartbreakers performed much of their concert on a darkened stage that was lit only by spotlights from the back of the venue.

"Somebody didn't pay their light bill around here," Petty remarked just one song into the show. "That's OK. I'm going to act like nothing is wrong."

That's pretty much how the crowd acted, adjusting rather quickly to the no-frills performance. But Petty was clearly more bothered by the problem than he initially let on, later saying that this is what to expect from an "old venue" like the Greek, and his dissatisfaction showed in his performance. Notably, he wasn't nearly as intense or as focused as he has been in past concerts.

Petty's opening act was Frank Black, a performer that many in the crowd wished the lights would have gone out on. The Pixies leader is a true alt-rock legend, one of the most influential performers of the last 20 years, and this audience couldn't have cared less. Most of these classic-rock fans, who have their radio dials set to KFOG instead of Live 105, had never heard of Black and clearly didn't want to hear from him.

Black, who delivered a likable set that included some fine tunes from his recently released "Fast Man Raider Man" double-disc, deserved better. And he'll get it when returns to play a Nov. 15 date at the Fillmore in San Francisco in front of fans who know that "Surfer Rosa" isn't a place where people buy wetsuits in San Diego.

Once Black left the stage, the fans began to buzz with excitement about the headliner. Given that this is the 30th anniversary tour for Petty and the Heartbreakers, folks were expecting a hit-filled run through the band's epic catalog.

And that's basically what Petty gave them.

"We've got quite a few songs to squeeze in here tonight," Petty said in what amounts to a colossal understatement. "So I'm not going to waste any time. I'm going to get right into it."

The 55-year-old Floridian started off in the distant past, opening the show with a sweet take on "Listen to Her Heart" from the Heartbreaker's sophomore release, 1978's "You're Gonna Get It." He followed with a somewhat enjoyable run through "Mary Jane's Last Dance," which made its debut on 1993's "Greatest Hits" package, as Petty took the first guitar lead of the night and did very little with it.

In previous Heartbreakers gigs, the band would begin to hit its stride and take its game to a higher level after a few songs. That didn't happen here. The Heartbreakers really feed off their leader and Petty didn't really have his heart in it on this night.

Following the sing-along favorite "Free Fallin'" (the lead track from Petty's 1989 solo album, "Full Moon Fever"), the concert hit a surprising lull that many fans used to visit the concession stands and make bathroom breaks.

Depending on how long those folks were gone, they missed a ho-hum version of the boogie-number "Saving Grace," which comes across a lot better on the newly released "Highway Companion" than it did in concert, as well as an uninspired trip down memory lane to visit works by such early influences on the Heartbreakers as Bo Diddley.

They also might have missed the sheepish spin through the Traveling Wilburys' "Handle With Care," notable only for multi-instrumentalist Scott Thurston spot-on imitation of Roy Orbison's vocals on that song. Most significantly, they hopefully missed Stevie Nicks — who Petty called the "only honorary Heartbreaker" — grabbing lead vocals on a version of "I Need to Know" that you really don't need to know.

On the upside, Mike Campbell was his regular rock-solid self on this night and showed once again why he ranks among the very best guitarists in the business. His lead on "It's Good to be King," perhaps the finest song of the show, was wonderfully sublime and the fretboard fireworks he sparked up on the main-set closer, "Runnin' Down a Dream," were enough to light up even a darkened stage.

Yet, those types of moments were the exceptions — not the norm — on this night when Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers didn't really have it. Expect the show on Oct. 27 to be much better.

Let's just hope the light show is working.

http://www.insidebayarea.com/music/ci_4424703

SpyNote · #2 10-01-2006, 12:54 PM

I met this critic years ago when I used to work at a radio station. He tends to hold grudges against artists he dislikes, which are usually reflected in his reviews. I don't think he's ever said anything flattering about Stevie.

amber · #3 10-01-2006, 04:09 PM

Lies, blatant flaming lies.

I don't know what show this guy was at. It was fr*cking fabulous.

bikerchic · #4 10-01-2006, 06:06 PM

^^ I was wondering. I didn't think it could be that bad. That guy sounds like an ass! I'm glad you had a good time

JazmenFlowers · #5 10-02-2006, 08:58 AM

don't believe this BS. Stevie looked gorgeous, sounded angelic and was dancing and kicking like mad. the crowd loved her Fri and Sat, especially during her strobe-light dance. everyone I was around kept saying how fabulous she was...young and old were in awe of our girl.

Miss Vicky · #6 10-02-2006, 09:01 AM

The review isn't that bad. It just says that Tom was good but could have been (and usually is) better than he was on Friday. I agree.

SortaSavageLike · #7 10-02-2006, 11:12 AM

When in doubt, never back up your criticisms. It's the easiest way to review.

"(something) sucks!"
"Why?
"Because I said so!"

skcin · #8 10-02-2006, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miss Vicky

The review isn't that bad. It just says that Tom was good but could have been (and usually is) better than he was on Friday. I agree.

Really? I thought they were fantastic - Sat was better than Fri though. I guess the Buffalo show was really bad, cuz these performances kicked that one's ass.

I'll have pics & vid up soon, probably Thurs.

Miss Vicky · #9 10-02-2006, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skcin

Really? I thought they were fantastic - Sat was better than Fri though.

Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed the concert. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - like the reviewer said - are pretty much incapable of putting on a bad show. The band sounded great and if it had been any other artist I would've been thrilled at the performance, but I know Tom and the boys can do much better than they did that night because I've seen them do it.