CHICAGO _ Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers kicked off their 40th anniversary appearance at a sold-out, rain-soaked Wrigley Field on Thursday by bringing everything full circle with "Rockin' Around (With You)." The rockabilly-styled rarity, the first track off their debut album, established the tone for a joyous show that celebrated the group's legacy and stuck to the music. Devoid of frills, the two-hour set doubled as a master class in band chemistry and dynamics.
Little about the concert suggested the sextet might soon cease touring. The presence of backing vocalists the Webb Sisters aside, Petty's reedy singing and drawn-out phrasing came across in nearly the same manner as they did decades ago. Frequent interaction between band members indicated they still enjoy being onstage together. The Heartbreakers also steered clear of shortcuts, investing passion and energy even in classic-radio favorites they've played countless times.
But Petty, citing a desire to spend time with family, has said that while the collective will likely continue, he foresees the current outing as its last major trek. If so, the group is ending its touring legacy on a high _ and with plenty of reminders of why it's endured. True to his stated intention, Petty and company treated the performance as "a big one-sided album on (which they'd) drop the needle up and down."
Indeed, the Heartbreakers often sounded as if they'd locked into the deep grooves of a 45-rpm record. A well-honed combination of deceivingly causal tempos, steady backbeats and economical solos gave songs underdog resilience and unshakable sturdiness. Each instrumentalist knew his place and how to maximize the overall arrangement by choosing the least obtrusive path to get there.
The surprise emergence of Benmont Tench's trailing piano notes on the fun-loving "Yer So Bad," guitarist Mike Campbell's sly nod to Chuck Berry during the electrically charged "You Wreck Me" and Ron Blair's bass line keeping a lid on the boiling tension of "Don't Come Around Here No More" shaded, blended and enhanced. Such symmetry and selflessness stemmed from experience and the fact that none of the Heartbreakers, nor Petty, took any flashy turns.
The 66-year-old vocalist placed the swagger on the songs themselves. While a barrage of career-spanning hits ("Mary Jane's Last Dance," "I Won't Back Down," "You Got Lucky," "Refugee") provided insight into Petty's flair for pairing resilient sentiments with massive hooks designed to drive the point home, several deep cuts proved equally rewarding and resonated with heartfelt sincerity. None more so than "Crawling Back to You" and "Wildflowers." Their faithful, reassuring messages and mellow vibes epitomized the simple, romantic beauty of summer evenings _ even when sunset remains hidden behind storm clouds.
For a moment, it seemed opener Chris Stapleton's cowhide-tough drawl and cavernous voice would just swallow up the pounding rain that sent fans scurrying during his set. Rooted in outlaw country, slow-burn blues and swampy rock, the Grammy-winning singer's gritty songs and ace band are ready for their own local headlining arena show.
