Cash, Petty’s new releases serve up rustic Americana
By Oliver Mosier September 14, 2006 in Voices
Tom Petty’s latest solo release, Highway Companion, attempts to firmly place the artist in the sound of Americana. Petty constantly evokes nostalgia, a cornerstone of the American musical experience. Images of Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper out on the open road immediately come to mind. Petty sings one for the road.
The tenor of the record increases as the tracks roll on. Highway Companion starts off rather calmly, only to be met with unadulterated rock on songs like “Flirting with Time” and “Big Weekend.” On the record, Petty returns to what he knows—real American rock ’n’ roll. The record is neither particularly innovative nor in any way groundbreaking. However, Highway Companion does not profess to possess those rarely found musical qualities. It is Full Moon Fever for the 21st century.
While driving is closely tied to Petty’s music, Petty seems equally connected to backyard barbeques and beers with the guys. At Bonnaroo (see related article in this issue), Tennessee’s music festival in June, Petty and the Heartbreakers showcased much of Highway Companion. In many ways, Petty is a seasonal musician. His music exists in a perpetual summer, where the sun never sets on the road and the drive never ends. The only way I can imagine enjoying his music during the winter would be to pretend it’s July. When you’re driving along Lake Shore Drive on a typical cold winter night, and “Free Fallin’” or “Refugee” comes on the radio, there are only two appropriate actions: windows down, volume up.
The album fulfills the artist’s intentions and is exactly what it purports to be: a musical companion to the open road. No stranger to road trip anthems, Petty is knee-deep in his musical strengths. Highway Companion is a solid album from an unbelievably consistent artist who has shied away from the ambitious in favor of the traditional.
One of Tom Petty’s musical heroes, country legend Johnny Cash, died at age 71 in 2003. Cash represented the archetypal American storyteller. With a unique voice, ever-present humor, and lyrical depth, Cash was more Mark Twain than Hank Williams. Cash transcended the norms and conventions of the country music genre, and there is a large group of people who love Cash but have no connection to the genre as a whole. In 2002 he released American IV: The Man Comes Around, an album many thought would be his last. He reworked Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt” with remarkable success. Heralded as the beautiful and final chapter in Cash’s long recording career, American IV was met with a bittersweet response. The end is a difficult thing to deal with, and no one knew this more than Cash himself.
Under supervision of Rick Rubin, Cash’s American series producer, the summer of 2006 saw the release of American V: A Hundred Highways, which was recorded in 2002 and 2003 just prior to Cash’s death. The songs take on a newfound gravity with the realization that the Man in Black is finally gone.
The liner notes, penned by Rubin, explain the story behind the record. Rubin ends the notes by writing, “I hope you are as moved by Johnny’s storytelling on this collection as I am…. I love you, John.” These are truly touching words from Cash’s producer for the last decade.
Cash delivers a beautiful cover of Ian Tyson’s “Four Strong Winds.” Bob Dylan recorded the song during the legendary basement tapes sessions. Neil Young recorded it on his album Comes a Time and also played it with the Band during the Last Waltz. Cash’s version is a worthy counterpoint to these past covers.
American V is essentially the last breaths of Johnny Cash. One last gasp for air. One last “Hello, I’m Johnny Cash.” One last album from an artist whose career needed no introduction. He walked many highways and lived many lives and eventually conquered his demons on a way to long awaited peace. While Tom Petty’s album may be one for the road, Cash’s final record is a companion for life.
The song “Like the 309” directly addresses death. You can feel it in the studio with Cash. His entire life he sang at, to, and about death. It is fitting that in his final musical testament, Cash appears to have found peace. The last song on the album voices Cash’s final state of mind, as he sings, “I’m free from the chain gang now.”
While mortality may have been an obsession for much of Cash’s life, he appeared to have come to terms with his own imminent demise by the recording of American V. One can easily hear the pain in his voice. He accepted the inevitability of his physical and mental death. One death he could not accept was a musical one. He understood that some part of him would live forever in his music. Johnny Cash preserved his life musically despite his preoccupation with his death physically. It would be nice if Cash takes a page out of Tupac Shakur’s book and continues to release albums from the netherworld. However, with American V: A Hundred Highways, the Man in Black leaves the stage to one final standing ovation.
Highway Companion is a good, albeit traditional, record from a rock legend. Tom Petty’s first solo album since Wildflowers in 1994 contains no surprises or real depth. It is merely a visceral illustration of American rock. Johnny Cash’s posthumous American V: A Hundred Highways, on the other hand, is a beautiful and melancholy epilogue to a most brilliant career.
"I don't know, but I've been told/You never slow down, you never grow old."
A wise man once sang these words, and he sang them again at the Dane County Coliseum on Tuesday night. Oh, Tom Petty, won't you heed your own lyrics?
The legendary roots rocker, now 55, is celebrating 30 years with his band the Heartbreakers on his current tour, and has been making noises in interviews that this might be his last "all-out" tour. Presumably, that would mean the last time he'd hit smaller markets like Madison.
But that would be like Beethoven stopping after his Fifth Symphony, or J.K. Rowling ending the Harry Potter series with "Goblet of Fire," or Brett Favre retiring at 35.
OK, maybe that last one's not the best analogy, but the point is that Petty seems to be having way too much fun, and is still way too good at his job, to even think about hanging up his spurs.
Petty and the five-piece Heartbreakers took the stage basking in the glow of a truly loud and enthusiastic ovation from the crowd, and proceeded to earn it with an all-killer, no-filler show that lasted two hours.
The set list touched on every stage of Petty's long career, from the Heartbreakers' late 1970s output (including the one-two punch of "Refugee" and "American Girl" to close the main set) to Petty's stellar new solo album "Highway Companion," his best work in a decade.
Petty is one of those rare veteran artists whose new work can stand shoulder to shoulder with his classic stuff, so the energy level in the room didn't drop when he uncorked the new "Saving Grace," a churning blues-rocker with a Bo Diddley guitar riff.
Including the tender new ballad "Square One" was a bit of a gamble in the midst of such a rocking set, but it's a gorgeous song, and the audience responded well.
His mop of blond hair framed a face that was more lined, but otherwise Petty seemed the same as ever, and he looked visibly pleased when the audience would drown him out singing "Free Fallin' " or "Mary Jane's Last Dance."
The Heartbreakers remain an incredibly tight and talented lineup, with Mike Campbell's guitar showcased on an extended jam of "Good to Be King" and pianist Benmont Tench doing some boogie-woogie on a cover of Chuck Berry's "Too Much Monkey Business."
There were more covers than usual, as Petty said the band wanted to celebrate its 30th anniversary by playing some of the songs that inspired them. They invoked the Yardbirds' bluesy stomp on Muddy Waters' "I'm a Man," while their version of Fleetwood Mac's "Oh Well" was absolutely epic.
Granted, some fans may have preferred to see those slots filled with their favorite Petty song. (No "The Waiting" or "Don't Do Me Like That"?) But in a way, those omissions inspire hope that Petty wouldn't dare leave the road without giving us one last chance to hear those songs.
He wouldn't do us like that, would he?
Published: September 13, 2006
Photo: Associated Press, Tom Petty at Bonnaroo in June.
Ну, его надо ооочень сильно трясти, чтобы испортить, если уж на то пошло :)) Но зато в машине можно случайно поцарапать, доставая из магнитолы. И поэтому естественно, я не с оригиналом ездил, а пережал всё в mp3, к тому же почти все альбомы Тома на один диск влезли :)).
Да, и по поводу Highway Companion: все-таки альбом получился замечательный, добрый и ненапряжный, в лучших традициях Тома. Замечательно слушается в машине, хотя, в городе лично я лучше воспринимаю Long After Dark :)). А, вот, стоит только за город выехать (компеньон от все-таки хайвей :)) ) -- тут он приходится в самую кассу. :)) А чтобы прочуствовать песенку Saving Grace мне оказалось достаточно проехаться как-то недавно по деревням дальнего подмосковья -- сразу образ песни в голове возник. И перед глазами. В общем, сейчас купил-таки родной диск, слушаю почти каждый день, и в машине тоже. Для меня диск даже оправдывает свое название -- настоящий Highway Companion :)).
Tom Petty Honored By Chicago Mayor Автор:DаveДата: 13.09.06 11:29:37
As Tom Petty & The Hearbreakers celebrate their 30th anniversary this year, the band has had numerous accolades bestowed on them. The latest comes from the city of Chicago, where Mayor Richard Daley has declared this Thursday, September 14 to be "Tom Petty Day." Chicago Rock station WLUP "The Loop" also will honor Petty when he comes to the Windy City this week.
The official proclamation from Mayor Daley states:
"Tom Petty first performed his self-titled debut album at the Ivanhoe Theatre with his band, The Heartbreakers, on February 25, 1977 and after thirty years in the music industry, Mr. Petty has sold more than fifty million records worldwide, performed numerous sold out concerts in Chicago and released more than twenty projects as a solo artist with The Heartbreakers.
Among his many honors and awards, Mr. Petty has earned sixteen Grammy nominations, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1999 and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003. Mr. Petty and The Heartbreakers have also been recognized by organizations such as Greenpeace, the National Veterans Foundation, USA Harvest and the American Foundation for AIDS Research for their humanitarian efforts. Mr. Petty’s continuing work in the music industry and his charitable work are a source of great pride for all Chicagoans.
Mr. Petty is an icon who has touched the hearts of many around the world."
Petty's Highway Companion tour was recently extended to include a third leg of dates. The trek is currently slated to wrap up at the Vegoose Festival in Las Vegas on October 28.
(photo: Jim Rinaldi)
Re: Группа Wings Of Time! Автор:DаveДата: 09.09.06 23:32:07
Да хорош уж скромничать :)) Ты ж у нас на ритме и играл :))) И прекрасно виден на всех 4-х фотках. :))
Тему про WoT смотри -- я там одну фотку выложил. А вообще, у меня не так уж их и много -- я ж сам не мог снимать :)). Потому как я там тоже есть, хоть меня и не видн опо большей части :)). Поэтому, ждем Катиных фоток :)).
Re: Группа Wings Of Time! Автор:DаveДата: 06.07.06 00:55:22
Пачему только Лавмейкеры? WoT тоже наличиствуют, правда, не на сцене. А если серьезно -- то не пожал я еще все фотки :)).
>Эт я на последней фотке в белой рубашечке атжигайу, >ага! )))
А в этом месте вспоминается мне онегдот (с) с ключевой фразой "я тут видел из зала, как МЫ играем -- такая лажа!" :)) На самом деле, парень в белой рубашечке -- это твоя пространственно-цветовая инверсия, бо, на этом фото у тебя всё наоборот :)).
> но я ж тоже хочу на сипя посмотреть ;))))
Еще одно домашнее задание -- найтите Акима на каждой из четырех фоток! :))
Забавный кадр. Обе игравшие группы, только одна в зале смотрит на вторую :)). Домашним заданием для читателей битлз.ру будет разобраться во всей этой санта-барбаре и угадать кто где изображен и желательно о чем он при этом думает :))
Рязанцы! Обязательно приходите послушать наше скромное выступление! :)) Это должно получиться интересно, обе группы долго готовились к этому концерту. И вот теперь мы отправляемся в своего рода Magical Mystery Tour. ;))
Напоминаю, концерт послезавтра, то есть, уже завтра, в пятницу! :)
Приходите, если вы есть :). Неплохой повод всем познакомиться и пообщаться :) А мы создадим соответствующий музыкальный фон из произведений Битлз, сольного Пола Маккартни, Криденс, Роллинг Стоунз, Боба Дилана и Тома Петти! :) (На Маккартни упор, соответственно, у Wings of Time, на классику рока -- у Лавмейкеров. Музыку Битлз играют все! :)) ).