One thing that is kinda impressive about Petty...over a ten year period, he was in bands/played with Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Roger McGuinn and Johnny Cash. Not too shabby.
ok, enough Tomfaggery...
Is that like tomfoolery?
Funny thing is, I'm not a big Refugee/Don't come around here no more/FreeFallin guy. Give me The Wild One, Straight into Darkness, Anything that's rock n roll, and the Insider any day of the week.
Yes....kind of like a Petty Grievance...
Originally Posted By: PhillyCalling
Straight into Darkness
I believe Springsteen was quoted somewhere as saying this was one of the best songs of the 1980's.
Everyone around here has a Patti grievance.
Originally Posted By: PhillyCalling
Originally Posted By: Mars
I thought we did the whole Petty/Springsteen discussion thing before....
They are the two most common artists in my CD players ... my kids like Petty better.
They are the two most common artists in my CD players ... my kids like Petty better.
You're from Pittsburgh, these guys are still considered relevant there. Hey, I drove through Pittsburgh last year and the radio stations were just beginning to play the Gin Blossoms and Wallflowers.
'DVE plays some great stuff. Too bad they talk too much. They used to play obscure album "B" sides straight through ... reminded you of stuff you hadn't played in a while. ... way back before they thought it was funny to have Jaromir Jagr (who barely spoke English) do the weather & crap like that.
Originally Posted By: Number6
Also when petty does a solo album, he can take it down a notch and not go totally in another (sometimes good, sometimes not good) direction.
When Petty does a solo album, he keeps Campbell, and Tench, and the same guy who produced his last or next album. Basically he hires a different drummer.
Originally Posted By: smokeyjoe
Originally Posted By: Number6
Also when petty does a solo album, he can take it down a notch and not go totally in another (sometimes good, sometimes not good) direction.
When Petty does a solo album, he keeps Campbell, and Tench, and the same guy who produced his last or next album. Basically he hires a different drummer.
true, this can almost go into the "small combo" Bruce postings,
Sometimes I feel Bruce is trapped in the whole ESB production/stage show thing way too often. Its all(Magic)
or almost nothing (Joad or Devils)
Petty solo albums have a "different" sound to them, mellow
but still with some kick.
Originally Posted By: Number6
The big difference is simply Petty has been sought out by and worked with "real" musicians(Dylan, Harrison, Cash, Nicks).Sorry Joe Grushecky and the others that Bruce has worked with are nothing more than Bar band players at best.
I think this says the opposite of what you intended.
Petty was the low man playing with legends (except Nicks who was at the same level).
Bruce is the legend people want to play with.
Originally Posted By: Bobby_G
(
3) Bruce should call Rick Rubin to produce his next album.
3) Bruce should call Rick Rubin to produce his next album.
He should have done that in the nineties, by now everybody has worked with Rick Rubin, it?s old hat
It's just kind of surprising that Springsteen and Petty's paths have never really crossed, given their similarities. I guess the No Nukes thing in 79 was probably the closest they got (and that wasn't very close).
I get the impression they wouldn't be pals in real life. Petty seems a little contemptuous of him, for some reason.
Perhaps that would be because whatever commercial success Petty enjoyed was in spite of himself whereas Bruce would often actively tailor his material to achieve the same commercial success.
In spite of himself? Petty hired Dave Stewart and Jeff Lynne to make hit records for him, he played SNL about ten times, and he never tried not to make MTV friendly videos.
Petty makes good records and has a great band, but there's nothing very deep about him. Sometimes that's a plus, as he's not as tight assed about his music the way Springsteen was for too long, but it's also why he's a long way from any real significance.
Petty makes good records and has a great band, but there's nothing very deep about him. Sometimes that's a plus, as he's not as tight assed about his music the way Springsteen was for too long, but it's also why he's a long way from any real significance.
Originally Posted By: smokeyjoe
Petty makes good records and has a great band, but there's nothing very deep about him. Sometimes that's a plus, as he's not as tight assed about his music the way Springsteen was for too long, but it's also why he's a long way from any real significance.
Pretty much sums up everyone's animosity from Van Morrison to Mellencamp to Petty to Billy Joel.
My argument wasn't to suggest that Petty was ever deeper or more artistic than Springsteen.
But even in Petty's work with Lynne and Stewart, there were never any cries that Petty 'sold out' or 'went pop', because he always was a 'pop' act to a greater or lesser extent.
Those cries have accompanied much of Springsteen's more commercially accessible work because those works are more blatantly against the grain of what Springsteen is viewed to be, at least by those who go back to pre-USA days.
But even in Petty's work with Lynne and Stewart, there were never any cries that Petty 'sold out' or 'went pop', because he always was a 'pop' act to a greater or lesser extent.
Those cries have accompanied much of Springsteen's more commercially accessible work because those works are more blatantly against the grain of what Springsteen is viewed to be, at least by those who go back to pre-USA days.
Originally Posted By: Morey
[quote=smokeyjoe]
Pretty much sums up everyone's animosity from Van Morrison to Mellencamp to Petty to Billy Joel.
Pretty much sums up everyone's animosity from Van Morrison to Mellencamp to Petty to Billy Joel.
I'm not clear - animosity from Van Morrison towards Springsteen? Based on Van not being significant? That can't be right.
Originally Posted By: smokeyjoe
I'm not clear - animosity from Van Morrison towards Springsteen? Based on Van not being significant? That can't be right.
It's a bit of a liberty to group Van Morrison in there with the others...his jealousy wasn't due to his own insignificance, but he seemed to resent early on Springsteen's ability to quickly make a splash using a style that was similar to his own, by claiming he'd 'ripped him off.'
I based my Mellencamp comments on what I read in Jimmy Guterman's book. And you probably already know about Joel's past in concert 'critiques' of Springsteen.
Originally Posted By: Morey
Joel's past in concert 'critiques' of Springsteen.
I never heard this...
Did Joel criticize Springsteen for not being enough of a hack?
Originally Posted By: Joebaby
Originally Posted By: Morey
Joel's past in concert 'critiques' of Springsteen.
I never heard this...
Did Joel criticize Springsteen for not being enough of a hack?
He used to do mocking versions of Thunder Road in a clearly faux-Springsteen/Elvis voice.
I think this says the opposite of what you intended.
Petty was the low man playing with legends (except Nicks who was at the same level).
Bruce is the legend people want to play with.
[/quote]
No I see Bruce as being way too uptight to play with the big boys. Besides live one off shows like Rock the Vote or RnR hall of Fame shows I can't remember Bruce doing anything with other big names and certainly has not recorded with them.
I mean Johnny Cash and George Harrison ?? They could get ANYONE
to play with them and they choose Petty. I think that says something.
Petty was the low man playing with legends (except Nicks who was at the same level).
Bruce is the legend people want to play with.
[/quote]
No I see Bruce as being way too uptight to play with the big boys. Besides live one off shows like Rock the Vote or RnR hall of Fame shows I can't remember Bruce doing anything with other big names and certainly has not recorded with them.
I mean Johnny Cash and George Harrison ?? They could get ANYONE
to play with them and they choose Petty. I think that says something.
Much as I love Johnny Cash, there was a time when he would play with just about anyone to get a little extra publicity. Once he signed with American Records and started releasing his albums with Rubin, he pretty much stopped doing guest spots (unless it was with the Carter family).
The same could probably be said of Harrison, but I'm not familiar enough with his music (except for the Beatles material) to comment on that.
The same could probably be said of Harrison, but I'm not familiar enough with his music (except for the Beatles material) to comment on that.
Originally Posted By: smokeyjoe
In spite of himself? Petty hired Dave Stewart and Jeff Lynne to make hit records for him, he played SNL about ten times, and he never tried not to make MTV friendly videos.
Petty makes good records and has a great band, but there's nothing very deep about him. Sometimes that's a plus, as he's not as tight assed about his music the way Springsteen was for too long, but it's also why he's a long way from any real significance.
Petty makes good records and has a great band, but there's nothing very deep about him. Sometimes that's a plus, as he's not as tight assed about his music the way Springsteen was for too long, but it's also why he's a long way from any real significance.
I agreed and I disagreed... Just because Petty hasn't written ......(fill in the blank yourself)
Doesn't mean his music is without weight and merit.
I think half of Springsteen problem has been how to package it,
and is the cause of alot of his missteps in his career.
A couple of weeks ago I saw Neil Young, great show simple and to the point.A acoustic set to begin with and then rocked out the 2nd half. The songs had there meaning and everyone when home happy...None of him stepping on a board and blowing his harp
into some crazy distorted mike (That D & D tour killed me).
But thats Neil and thats another post.
I think Neil already did his share of drifting 
And lets be honest, when was the last time Young did a truly compelling album.
And lets be honest, when was the last time Young did a truly compelling album. Originally Posted By: smileyman
Much as I love Johnny Cash, there was a time when he would play with just about anyone to get a little extra publicity. Once he signed with American Records and started releasing his albums with Rubin, he pretty much stopped doing guest spots (unless it was with the Carter family).
The whole American Recordings stint was filled with guest spots. The second album he used Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers as a backing band, the third was almost a duet album.
Originally Posted By: Number6
I mean Johnny Cash and George Harrison ?? They could get ANYONE
to play with them and they choose Petty. I think that says something.
They chose a guy who was either already working with their producer or on the same label and had recent hits.
I'm not knocking Petty, but I don't think he's in the same league with the people he's worked with. He's light years ahead of the Mellencamps and the Joels, though.
[/quote]
They chose a guy who was either already working with their producer or on the same label and had recent hits.
I'm not knocking Petty, but I don't think he's in the same league with the people he's worked with. He's light years ahead of the Mellencamps and the Joels, though. [/quote]
Yes he is light years ahead of Joel(I believe his career is over), but I think he came away from it all(playing with the Wilburys, Cash, Etc.) as a better musician and songwriter.
They chose a guy who was either already working with their producer or on the same label and had recent hits.
I'm not knocking Petty, but I don't think he's in the same league with the people he's worked with. He's light years ahead of the Mellencamps and the Joels, though. [/quote]
Yes he is light years ahead of Joel(I believe his career is over), but I think he came away from it all(playing with the Wilburys, Cash, Etc.) as a better musician and songwriter.
Originally Posted By: Number6
I mean Johnny Cash and George Harrison ?? They could get ANYONE
to play with them and they choose Petty. I think that says something.
Can't remember what book it was, but in one of Cash's bios he was quoted in the early 80s as saying Bruce is "the best" story-teller out there at that time in music. Pretty sure the quote was something like that anyway.
Cash also recorded Johnny 99 and released it under an album of that same name. I think naming your album after someone else's song is a pretty high compliment.
Originally Posted By: smokeyjoe
Petty makes good records and has a great band, but there's nothing very deep about him. Sometimes that's a plus, as he's not as tight assed about his music the way Springsteen was for too long, but it's also why he's a long way from any real significance.
This is probably the best summation of the Petty vs. Bruce thing. When I get tired of Bruce clubbing me over the head with things like 'Last to Die' and 'Devils & Dust', its refreshing to put on TP and listen to songs about American Girls, Honey Bees and rolling joints.
Can't remember what book it was, but in one of Cash's bios he was quoted in the early 80s as saying Bruce is "the best" story-teller out there at that time in music. Pretty sure the quote was something like that anyway. [/quote]
The point is He PLAYED with Cash, Dylan and Harrison....
I can't think of anyone that Springsteen EVER worked with in a
collaborative effort that could shine those guys shoes.
In case you haven't noticed, your use of the quote function leaves a lot to be desired. And John Prine and Emmylou Harris could most certainly shine Bob Dylan's shoes.
Originally Posted By: SwitchbladeLover
In case you haven't noticed, your use of the quote function leaves a lot to be desired. And John Prine and Emmylou Harris could most certainly shine Bob Dylan's shoes.
John Prine ?? I kinda doubt it, next your going to tell me
Steve Earle...LOL
Nice job with the quote function. And Steve Earle is most certainly a better songwriter than Tom Petty. And I really like Tom Petty.
Originally Posted By: SwitchbladeLover
Nice job with the quote function. And Steve Earle is most certainly a better songwriter than Tom Petty. And I really like Tom Petty.
John Prine and Steve Earle are both fine I'm sure, but I see them like the Velvet Underground, (a critics band)...not much if any air play and I can't remember ever hearing a song by either
that I could walk away from humming in my head.
How many albums by Steve Earle have you listened to?
I can't think of an album that he's released that I haven't liked.
Guitar Town and Copperhead Road are top-notch and should be in everybody's collection.
I can't think of an album that he's released that I haven't liked.
Guitar Town and Copperhead Road are top-notch and should be in everybody's collection.
El Corazon is very high in my top five.
Roy Orbison
John Fogerty
Warren Zevon
Lou Reed
Patti Smith
Tom Waits
Sam Moore
None of those people are Dylan, Johnny Cash, or George Harrison, but they're a hell of a lot closer to them then they are to Joe Grushecky and Elliot Murphy.
John Fogerty
Warren Zevon
Lou Reed
Patti Smith
Tom Waits
Sam Moore
None of those people are Dylan, Johnny Cash, or George Harrison, but they're a hell of a lot closer to them then they are to Joe Grushecky and Elliot Murphy.
Originally Posted By: smileyman
How many albums by Steve Earle have you listened to?
I can't think of an album that he's released that I haven't liked.
Guitar Town and Copperhead Road are top-notch and should be in everybody's collection.
I can't think of an album that he's released that I haven't liked.
Guitar Town and Copperhead Road are top-notch and should be in everybody's collection.
I think I would rather listen to Wilco or Son Volt. Sorry,
I guess I will be run off the board now