Considering the enormous size of the Tinley Park venue (nearly 30,000 in all) it’s indeed a remarkable feat. But after watching the tunesmith and his ever- faithful band deliver an outstanding set on a Friday night that was totally different than the last two tours, it’s understandable why fans flock with such dependable regularity.Unlike the 2002 United Center visit behind “The Last DJ” CD or the bluesy based shows at the 5 night stay at Chicago’s Vic Theatre and PBS’s Soundstage taping the following year, the new jaunt provided a mixed bag of treats. Though it’s tough for any artist who’s had consistent chart action for the last thirty years to narrow down a set list, Petty rounded the proper corners, while achieving proper equilibrium between the hits and the rarities.
Considering intimacy wasn’t on their side (as it was in the past) the musicians made sure to turn their amps all the way up to eleven and rock loud enough so it made it all the way up to the lawn. It all started with the radiant electricity of “Listen To Her Heart” which followed straight into the harmonica horsepower of “You Don’t Know How It Feels”. Even though Petty appeared to take a breather for the smoky drawl of “Breakdown” and the floating folk of “Free Fallin’” each track unfolded with his guitar playing finesse and the Heartbreakers’ smoldering southern armory.
Such familiarity paved the way for some material tailored towards the more obsessed appreciators, such the unreleased growler “Turn This Car Around” and the dusty keyboard crunch of “Melinda”. The group even stepped outside of itself to recall Petty’s time with the super group the Traveling Wilburys for “Handle With Care” - a song that became a touching tribute towards the late Roy Orbison and George Harrison.
Equally heartrending was a peeled back arrangement of “Learning to Fly” after which thousands of cheese ball fans raised their lighters simultaneously in the air. Though they all instantly flickered out as the song segued into the Alice In Wonderland themed “Don’t Come Around Here No More” the stage lights quivered in step with the cuts creepy chords. It was a crescendo moment only rivaled by the sheer muscle of “Runnin’ Down a Dream” which sealed the deal that Petty can still deliver.
Before the two-hour appearance, The Black Crowes turned in a 75-minute spectacle worth showing up on time as well. Not to mention their first time back on the road since their premature breakup a few years back. Like Petty, the Chris Robinson (or should I say Mr. Kate Hudson) led operation centered around good ole guitar led rock 'n' roll.
The Crowes’ psychedelic nuances and violent rhythms were like watching at times a reincarnated version of the mega Led Zeppelin, but with enough alternative angles to connect with those younger in the crowd. It’s nice to have the boys back and hopefully they will stay together long enough to get back into the studios for one more album.
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