Mary Jane's Last Dance

Discussing the music of Tom Petty
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JakeK
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Mary Jane's Last Dance

Post by JakeK »

In July 1993, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers recorded "Mary Jane's Last Dance", a song that was supposed to be for the upcoming Greatest Hits album. Tom wasn't so sure about doing it, as it hadn't been a hit yet. He was working on Wildflowers at the time, and didn't want to "sacrifice" anything from those sessions, so came around with a song that was started in 1988/89 and finished it in June of 1993. It was the last session to ever feature Stan Lynch on drums, and a few tracks were recorded that day: "Mary Jane's Last Dance", an original arrangement of the Thunderclap Newman/Pete Townshend smash "Something in the Air", Elvis covers "Baby Let's Play House" and "Wooden Heart", an original entitled "Come on Down to My House" and a few unreleased songs, making the total "about 12" according to TP. Rick Rubin was on hand as the producer, and Johnny Cash popped in on the session seeming to enjoy Howie's vocal work on "Mary Jane's Last Dance".

TP and Mike's guitar Guitars on hand were:
Tom - '65 twin pickup Epiphone Casino, '81 Toru custom '52 Telecaster copy, Martin D-28, '67 Rickenbacker 360/12 MG, Gretsch Firebird Jet
Mike - '59 single- neck pickup Gretsch Tennessean with added bridge pickup and toggle switch, Danny Ferrington doubleneck, '66 Rickenbacker 360/12 FG, Rickenbacker 350MC, '59/'60 360 Capri, '64 Gibson SG, '50 Fender Broadcaster

Howie Epstein used a '60s Fender Jazz bass in black with tortoiseshell pickguard and a white '60s Precision bass

When it was time for the music video, there were at least two versions done:

One with Kim Bassinger


And one with a traditional band setup


Personally, I like the second one much better, simply because it appears low budget and has a great location. The Kim Bassinger makes no sense and to me doesn't seem related to the song. Which one do you all like better?

What type of guitar is Tom using in the second video? It's no brand I recognize. And check out Mike's Capri!

There's your random TP facts in hopes of me trying to keep this board alive.
BILLYC58
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Re: Mary Jane's Last Dance

Post by BILLYC58 »

That is really cool great info i also like the second one better thanks for posting this.
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jingle_jangle
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Re: Mary Jane's Last Dance

Post by jingle_jangle »

It seems like a mid-'7os Ibanez copy of a Gretsch CG. I'm not really an expert on these, having only owned one Ibanez from this era, but back then they made better copies of many iconic Gibsons, Fenders and Gretsches, among others, that were as good as the originals.

I am so sorry I ever sold my mint '76 Ibanez Howard Roberts Gibson copy...they're swelling for almost as much as the Gibson originals and are much rarer! It was a sweet number, but I wasn't into jazz guitars back when I sold it.
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paologregorio
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Re: Mary Jane's Last Dance

Post by paologregorio »

Kim's hot; I vote for #1. Besides, the video's completely demented. :lol:
caliban335
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Re: Mary Jane's Last Dance

Post by caliban335 »

Tom Is playing a Gretsch Super Chet. It's a really fancy hollow body 6 string with binding along the front and back edges of the guitar and in the middle of the sides as well. The model number is G7690. Here's what they look like up close and personal.

Image
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