Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I missed them this time through because I had just had surgery, but I've seen them 5 or 6 times since the early '80s and every single show has been fantastic. They usually throw in a cover or two and almost always take one of their older hits and rework it as an acoustic version.

Other than the great variety of gear and the talent of everyone in the band, I think my favorite part is that TP always seems so (honestly) appreciative of the crowd. I always get the feeling that he's just amazed that so many people come to see them and that in return he's going to try to make each show the best that it can be.

I especially wanted to see them this time because I really like the new album.

Jerry, they do indeed play a Wilburys song, and to me, it's one of the highlights of the show. Last summer he dedicated it to "the Wilburys, wherever they may be traveling tonight." I thought that was great . It is not the opener, however .

Thanks, John. I've been looking forward to these shows for quite a while, and I'm glad he's playing a few of his new songs as well. Speaking of which, since this is a TP thread, how does everyone like "Highway Companion?" I have really enjoyed it so far, and a lot of the songs are great fun to play. It's an extra special album for me, because I've only been able to anticipate about 4 album releases in my life since most of my favorite groups stopped releasing new material before I was born.

Here's a picture of Tom Petty and Mike Campbell performing the opener on the first leg of the tour, sometime in June.

Stuart,
Very cool picture. I have also been enjoying "Highway Companion" along with the Smithereens and Hautewerk.

Highway Companion is great. I like "Saving Grace" a lot, but my favorite song on the album is probably "Jack". It's a good bit of rock n' roll, and Tom Petty plays the solo himself! He's quoted as saying "the solo is so bad in that one, they actually left it in." I like how he kind of "falls" into the solo, and how it's got a nice retro sound.

"Flirting With Time" is another Highway Companion favorite of mine. Mike Campbell's 12-string solo drops in like dynamite!

"Handle with Care" was a definite highlight of the Bowl show last night, with Jeff Lynne sitting in to sing the Roy Orbison parts...

It was a Rick-fest at times last night.
Mike Campbell's best solo- "Running Down A Dream", on a 350JG with gold guards and oven knobs.
The solo screamed, and he was very animated.

My bandmates (we went together) agreed it was his best solo, and when I told them the myth about Ricks and leads, they were puzzled. There were Rick leads throughout the set.

BTW, the 350 is a total rock and roll looking guitar, I'm putting it on my list!

That show was probably the slickest concert I have ever seen. The four large video screens and camera work coorinating what went onto them was awesome...not that we needed them being only eleven rows back off the center aisle, but it made it easier to see what Rickys Mike and Tom were playing. Jerry's right about Mikes 350. It was a total rock&roll monster on lead. Stevie Nicks came out to do a couple duets with Tom and then sang lead on I Need To Know as well as backups on a couple others. I hope this show comes out on DVD. I never would have thought a non-progressive act could so impress the sh** out of me like they did.

Jeff Lynne appeared on Handle With Care!? Awesome! I hope he follows them up to Berkeley . Glad you guys had a great time.

And how did that P-Bass cut through the mix out there in Cali? I thought he could have used a Rick bass when they were here in Chicago. Were the Chicago shows just an anomaly?

Ron Blair used a Jazz bass. I could barely hear it, let alone feel it. Not too impressed with his contribution.

Be easy, guys, that's my cuz!

Then give him a call and...

ha ha ha! I asked for that didn't I? Good one Paul! Yeah, no I won't...

It's just that Steve Ferone's right foot did what the bass is supposed to do. Although TP and the Heartbreakers is a very guitar oriented band, there is room for more of a bass presence.

I thought so too.

No offense to your cuz, Jason. Maybe the sound guy just doesn't like bass!