Show Review

Two legends in the song writing/rocking realm teamed up Tuesday for a torrent of tremendous rock and roll.  Opening the show was Steve Winwood, who as the creative force behind such classic groups as Traffic, Blind Faith and the Spencer Davis Group, has a back catalog of hits that would make most artists blush.  Unfortunately he took his opening hour slot to focus on his new release, 9 Lives which has a new-age-sappy-ending-to-an-80’s-movie feel to it.  Flanked by a drummer, percussionist, guitarist and sax/flutist, Winwood twinkled his electronic keys into easy listening adult contemporary realm way too easily – absolutely boring.  Even when he stepped up and strapped on his axe the rest of the band couldn’t keep up with him on burners “Had To Cry Today” and “Dear Mr. Fantasy.” 

 Winwood himself is a virtuoso, smoldering voice, frantic while relaxed guitar work, and extended work outs on the keys were all examples of this, so why was the set so dull?  Just look at who he was playing with, not a wise choice to recruit a band that sounds as if they would be more comfortable playing pool side at the St. George Club in Bermuda.  Then again the airy version of “Higher Love” would probably fit there as well, where is my Pina Colada?!?

Oh wait, we are at a ROCK show, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers starkly reminded us of that, with the set opening blast of “You Wreck Me” off the criminally-underrated Wildflowers.  From there the hits just flowed, “Last Dance With Mary Jane” waltzed around the arena accompanied by a spectacular light show, “Won’t Back Down” got the juices going before dipping back, as Tom put it, “into the swinging seventies” giving “Even the Losers” permission to bring back memories.  The Heartbreakers have so many hits it is insane, but they reached out for a few rarities including the deep cut “Sweet William,” which meanders in the blues realm before a crashing stop/start breakdown with speed riffing from Mike Campbell – a rare treat. 

Also filed in the rarely heard section, was Petty playing The Traveling Wilburys’ “End of the Line,” which sounded fantastic before a call to the stage for show-opener Steve Winwood.  The players jumped from one super group to another with a cover of Blind Faith’s “Can’t Find My Way Home,” and instantly the stakes were raised. With the proper backing, Winwood’s voice and playing soared, evident by the extended jam out of “Gimme Some Lovin’.”  It became clear that Winwood saved his best for The Heartbreakers.  Other highlights of the 20-song show included the muscle pulsing workout that poured from “Saving Grace” and the deep blues of “Honey Bee”. 

Petty mentioned early on that “This may be the best room for rock and roll on the planet,” and he was speaking the truth, as The Heartbreakers moved from the heavy metal-ish finish in “Don’t Come Around Here No More” seamlessly into the punk sneer of “Refugee” before closing the whole shebang with the sing along classic of “American Girl.”   Make it last all night.

Setlist

YOU WRECK ME
MARY JANE
I WON'T BACK DOWN
EVEN THE LOSERS
FREE FALLIN¹
CABIN DOWN BELOW
SWEET WILLIAM
END OF THE LINE
CAN¹T FIND MY WAY HOME (w/Steve Winwood)
GIMME SOME LOVIN¹ (w/Steve Winwood)
SAVING GRACE
FACE IN THE CROWD
HONEY BEE
YOU DON¹T KNOW HOW IT FEELS
LEARNING TO FLY
DON'T COME AROUND HERE NO MORE
REFUGEE

E:
RUNNIN' DOWN A DREAM
MYSTIC EYES
AMERICAN GIRL

photos by Eric Townsend