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THE REVIEW
It often happens that behind great artists there are great bands. Staying in America, one cannot help but mention The Band of Bob Dylan, Neil Young's Crazy Horse, or Springsteen's E-Street Band. Bands that often deserve a few more words, separating their value from that of the individual artists they accompany, even if sometimes it's difficult to think of one without the other. Perhaps the path of Tom Petty's Heartbreakers can be compared to that of the E-Street Band, and this The Live Anthology by Tom Petty can be associated especially in its form to Springsteen's live 1975-1985.
During live performances, the value of this band emerges, surely one of the best rock'n'roll machines the States have ever proposed. This time Tom Petty does things big, 24 years after the last noteworthy live of his career, "Pack up the plantation-Live!"(1985), he releases a box of 4 CDs containing 48 songs, including some interesting covers never released before.
The method of collecting and assembling the work doesn't follow any particular chronological order of tours but smartly mixes old songs, new ones, and covers. Songs chosen directly by Petty and his loyal friend and guitarist Mike Campbell, packaged inside a fascinating vintage graphic box created by Shepard Fairey. Browsing through the included booklet, which is not grandiose but essential (I would have added a few more photos), one can also notice how few changes the Heartbreakers have made in their lineup from 1980, from which the oldest songs are taken, to 2007. The only noteworthy changes are the historical drummer Stan Lynch being replaced by Steve Ferrone and the bass player change in 1982 when Howie Epstein replaced Ron Blair. But as known, Petty's partnership with some of these musicians can be traced back even to the historic formation of Mudcrutch, which only two years ago released the album that should have come out in the early seventies.
Alongside Petty's greatest hits, "Refugee", "American Girl", "Even the Losers", "Learning to Fly", "Mary Jane's Last Dance", just to name a few titles, there are gems that will make your money a good investment in good music, also highlighting the good price of the whole set (I found it for 25 euros). Thus, you might find yourself in front of a "Friend of the Devil" by the Grateful Dead, recorded at the Fillmore in San Francisco in 1997, or a recent rendition of "Mystic Eyes" by Van Morrison from 2006, the always entertaining "Green Onions" by Booker T, or a "Good Good Lovin'" by James Brown, "Oh Well" by the Peter Green-led Fleetwood Mac, and others that will surprise you as they come out of your speakers.
A comprehensive work that certainly does justice to an author and a band who have built their history live. How can one forget when Mr. Dylan chose them to accompany him on some tours in the mid-eighties? As Petty writes in the introduction to the work, this is also meant to be a work of memory, to remember the good times, the places, and the people met during different tours.
For us listeners, there remain about fifty songs to listen to, remembering a rocker who for years has been working to enter the small circle of the best American authors of the last 30 years. Surely such an operation will be a prelude, I hope, to a new artistic rebirth of Petty and perhaps to bring his repertoire live worldwide, hoping it finally reaches Italy. One last note for those who have more money to spend, other versions of this box with CDs, DVDs, and additional gadgets will soon be released, but I believe the price will no longer be so popular... definitely a must-have!!
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Summary by Bot
The Live Anthology by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers showcases the enduring power of one of America’s best rock bands through 48 expertly chosen live tracks. The box set mixes hits and rare covers with seamless flow, reflecting the band’s consistent lineup and rich history. A comprehensive and affordable collection, it honors Petty’s legacy and promises an artistic rebirth. Thoughtful packaging and an essential booklet complement the vibrant performances, making it a must-have for fans of classic rock.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
01 Ladies And Gentlemen... (01:16)
02 Night Watchman (04:33)
04 Here Comes My Girl (04:52)
06 I'm In Love (03:55)
07 I'm A Man (02:46)
08 Straight Into Darkness (04:35)
11 I Just Want To Make Love To You (03:55)
12 Drivin' Down To Georgia (06:25)
13 Lost Without You (06:55)
15 Diddy Wah Diddy (02:55)
16 I Want You Back Again (02:54)
17 Wildflowers (03:12)
18 Friend Of The Devil (05:41)
19 A Woman In Love (It's Not Me) (05:42)
20 It's Good To Be King (12:14)
21 Angel Dream (No. 2) (02:56)
24 Mystic Eyes (08:59)
26 The Wild One, Forever (03:35)
27 Green Onions (04:19)
28 Louisiana Rain (05:10)
29 Melinda (08:15)
30 Goldfinger (04:02)
34 Any Way You Want It (02:59)
37 Oh Well (03:35)
39 Crawling Back To You (04:38)
40 My Life/Your World (04:55)
42 Square One (03:44)
43 Have Love Will Travel (03:57)
44 Free Fallin' (04:46)
46 Good, Good Lovin' (02:50)
47 Century City (04:22)
48 Alright For Now (02:49)
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers
American rock band formed in Gainesville, Florida in 1976 by Tom Petty with Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench. Known for melodic, guitar-driven songs such as American Girl, Refugee and Learning to Fly, the group toured widely, backed Bob Dylan in the mid‑1980s and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. Activity effectively ended in 2017.10 Reviews
