Tom Petty: Runnin' Down A Dream
Last night I watched the new Tom Petty documentary, "Runnin Down A Dream" on the Sundance Channel. Four hours of Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers! Not how I had intended to spend my evening, but well worth it if you're like me, meaning you've bought every album he's ever done. "Runnin' Down A Dream" was directed by Peter Bogdanovich (Paper Moon, The Last Picture Show, and Dr Melfi's shrink on The Sopranos!) and it is an exhaustive review of Petty's career. My favorite part was the period leading up to and including the Traveling 
Wilburys. There is some terrific footage of Petty, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison and Jeff Lynne working out the lyrics to "Last Night" (from the first Wilburys album) and hanging out at Dylan's house. As a rock fan, here's what I love about this: There once was a universe where those guys actually hung out, had dinner, had some drinks and made music. They didn't come in on separate days, record their bits and leave; they were real people who had as much fun making the music as I have had listening.
Other segments show that much of the Heartbreakers work life wasn't quite as much of a blast. The tensions in the group are talked about in great detail, and how their massive drug intake fueled those tensions. Petty's solo albums also exacerbated the problems; the entire group, with the exception of Petty and guitarist Mike Campbell, were so paranoid and insecure about outsiders like Lynne and Dave Stewart that they constantly feared for their jobs. The question asked over and over: How does any band stay together?
Four hours is a lot to ask of a viewer, but it flew by and the only false note (to me anyway) was the section on 2002's The Last DJ. No amount of lipstick will make me kiss that pig. Oh well, 31 years of recording and one stinker. That's quite a legacy.
The Sundance Channel is replaying "Runnin' Down A Dream" October 31st at 3AM (Eastern). This is what Tivo is for, people!
Here's a mix I put together a while back. These are from Petty's excellent box set, "Playback".
Heartbreaker's Beach Party- Potato Salad!
Travelin'- Great road trip song!
Casa Dega- "Damn The Torpedoes" outtake
Big Boss Man- Remake of the Jimmy Reed classic
Waiting For Tonight- Great back-up vocals by The Bangles
Ways To Be Wicked- GIven to Lone Justice for their first album
Stop Draggin' My Heart Around (Demo)- Petty's demo before Stevie Nick's vocals were added
You Come Through- Lenny Kravitz on bass and vocals
Come On Down To My House- Dave Grohl on drums- this one rocks really hard!
Here's the trailer for "Runnin' Down A Dream"
