Tom Petty Blows Through Hits and Deep Cuts at MSG

Early on in Tom Petty’s sold-out Madison Square Garden gig he uttered words rarely heard at his shows: “You probably don’t know this next one.” The band then launched into the super obscure 1999 Europe-only B side “Sweet William.” The bluesy, organ-heavy number was a clear indication this wasn’t going to be the typical nothing-but-the-hits Petty show he’s done on recent tours. With no new album to support, Petty was free to drag out the gems. This doesn’t mean he avoided his massive arsenal of hits. The show began with a 1-2-3-4-5 punch of “You Wreck Me,” “Last Dance With Mary Jane,” “I Won’t Back Down,” “Even The Losers” and “Free Falling.” Nearly anyone else would save a song like the latter — which is so taylor made for arenas even the beer guys and ushers were singing along — but Petty has such a huge stable of war horses he could bust it out early with no problem. Rarities soon followed, such as the Traveling Wilburys’ “End Of The Line,” which featured a few Heartbreakers subbing in for Petty’s absent bandmates and the Full Moon Fever track “A Face In The Crowd.” Opening act Steve Winwood — who last played The Garden a few months ago during his reunion shows with Eric Clapton — came out midway through Petty’s set and lead the Heartbreakers on killer versions of Blind Faith’s “Can’t Find My Way Home” and the Spencer Davis Group’s “Gimme Some Loving,” which featured blazing organ work by Winwood. Around this point it became abundantly clear that the Heartbreakers are one of the greatest backing bands out there. Any song is immeasurably enhanced by their playing, particularly guitarist Mike Campbell and keyboardist Benmont Tench. It’s no wonder they get so much session work when Petty is off the road. The night wrapped up with the h

Published: 2008-06-18 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Rock News, Live Shows

Smoking Section: Justin Timberlake’s Upcoming Plans, My Chemical Romance and More

Bury the rag deep in your face: The FutureSex/LoveSounds era is about to come to a close. At the end of November, after eighteen months of sold-out gigs, Justin Timberlake is taking a break. “It’s like, I’m over myself,” he tells the Smoking Section. “I’m sure a lot of other people are too.” JT is looking forward to puffing on the sweet Mary Jane and hitting the slopes. In ‘08, he plans to work as the hands-on CEO of his fledgling label, Tennman Records. “After I get all the hotboxing and snowboarding out of the way,” he says, “I’ve got four artists to be in the studio with.” That would be Internet sensation Esmee Denters, a rap group from Memphis called Free Sol, R&B singer Brenda Radney and his old pal, songwriter Matt Morris. Says JT, “Until I get that urge to make my own record, this is what’s exciting to me.” *** My Chemical Romance’s October 7th gig at the Palacio de Los Deportes, in Mexico City, was a milestone for the band. For the last time, the quintet engaged in the macabre processional known as the Black Parade — based, of course, on their album of the same name. Luckily, they caught the perform ance on tape. “To finally see it executed on film is going to be really amazing,” singer Gerard Way tells the S.S. After dates in Europe, Australia and Southeast Asia, the band will take a nice little break, which couldn’t come at a better time for the singer, who got married in a backstage ceremony in September — during the Projekt Revolution Tour — to Lyn Z, the bassist from Mindless Self Indulgence. “Married life is fuckin’ amazing,” says Way. “Especially being in a relationship that I only thought could be a fictional thing. It’s like knowing that there’s always somebody out there, and that’s something I’ve never known.” Aw! *** In the past fortnight, the S.S. got a heavy dose of re

Published: 2007-10-31 Provider: Rolling Stone Keywords: Smoking Section

Aaron Carter Arrested for Possession of Pot

We already knew that Aaron Carter was in love with Kaci Brown.Now, it turns out that Nick Carter’s little brother also has an affection for Mary Jane!Aaron was arrested yesterday in Kimble County, Texas with at least two ounces of marijuana. TMZ has confirmed Aaron was pulled over on I-10 for speeding. When police searched his vehicle, they found enough pot to make Matthew McConaughey jealous.Aaron will be arraigned later today. Aaron Carter better hope he comes across this tough in prison. We can only imagine what happens to boy band singers behind bars…ShareThis

Published: 2008-02-22 Provider: Celebrity News Spot