I really want to know what YOU consider TP&THB best work to be? I really starting following Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers (via- purchasing CD's, concerts, and buying the cool stuff in the store) about the time that the release of The Greatest Hits came out. Was that about 1991?

So, I wasn't there when the great early stuff came out. But I've still been an avid fan. If you were there, I was wondering what some of you would consider Tom Petty's best work to be?

And when I say Tom Petty's best work I mean The Heartbreakers. That's not to exclude Tom Petty's solo work if that's what you think it is.

I'll start it with my choice for best work.
Tom Petty's career is amazing and so versatile.

But I think

quote:

The Last DJ

is his best work.

The second time I saw Tom Petty was for his Last DJ tour. Without sponsors, he put down about every track on Last DJ, and then, after so many so called fans at the concert got up and, 4000 people walked away after the first oncore, he proceeded to play for another hour.

Tom played a 20 minute version of Mary Jane's Last dance. Portland Oregon show 1999 or 2000. Best live performance ever!

What's your choice?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Johnny Rock,

Well, these quesitons always turn into a debate about what "best" means.

Can we throw Mudcrutch in the equation? If so, I'd say the Mudcrutch album is a strong contender for their "best" work.

Well, best means THE GREATEST
Whatever you think has Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers done that is to you his or(their)most fantastic work, that is There Best Work. There doesn't have to be a debate. Lets just call it a discussion!

That's such a hard question because it changes over time. In the last couple of years, I've been especially into the first two albums. I hadn't listened to them in a long time, and I forgot how much I LOVE them. But when a new album comes out, I can't listen to anything else for ages. They are so consistently good.

Change is good. So they say. That is why this discussion is so valid now. All of TP&THB material is so good. But what is his best?

I found that out every few months when I go back and play Wildflowers. WoW! That album is so good. I have to listen to it over and over again to hear every sound of it. The pure joy!

I believe he doesn't like to play it these days, but the album Echo still strikes me as his best work, even if he was going thru hell at the time he wrote it. In fact, it may be his best for that very reason.

But there are so many contenders for the best album, or track, that this thread is eventually going to have answers that cover his entire catalog.

Great question, not such an easy answer though! In 5 minutes Ill have a different one.

I am flying cross country today and will be listening to Tom's music most of the way. Its all so good and so heartfelt. Hope the folks in my row don't mind my toe tappin' and seat dancing! LOL!

I'm tripping over "good" "best" "work". It's music and most importantly rocknroll music. How about "feel good".

So I'm going with What is the song or album of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers that makes you feel good right now?

Lately Mudcrutch's live has been making me feel good.

I didn't buy any of TPATH's albums until after the Wilburys though. I only listened to them on the radio. So I'm a newbie, I suppose.

Of course that isn't The Heartbreakers per se. They were not on the stage but they were around so I included them in the whole feel to the experience.

quote:

I believe he doesn't like to play it these days, but the album Echo still strikes me as his best work

Amen, brother.

Echo is a really beautiful album. I can't always listen to it, because it makes me sad; though Tom always has a message of hope even in the saddest of songs.

^ I agree 100%.

OK as expected I will also 'echo' others who answered 'The Last DJ' - I listened to it on one of my flights back home today and I'll never get over that image of the "Lonely DJ digging a ditch, trying to keep the flames from the Temple"

It is simply too difficult to name a single favorite. So I'll cop out and say "I celebrate the entire catalog" LOL! How is that for an 'unequivocal maybe' as to what album is best?

How did I live without a portable music player?

Damn the Torpedoes
Hard Promises
The Last DJ

The 3 best lyrically, musically, and feeling you probably get at the end of it

I'm not picking but I'm glad to see Echo and The Last DJ getting some love. Those are absolutely great albums, both of them.

"I celebrate the entire catalog" LOL! How is that for an 'unequivocal maybe' as to what album is best?


Relic that's the same line John McGinley used in Office Space when he was talking with Peter about how he celebrates Michael Bolton's music. So is that a maybe for " The Last DJ " or en emphatic yes, it's his best work?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Johnny Rock,

It would be great if The Last DJ would make another live show from beginning to end.