Ain’t Red Rocks’ star dust

Running down a dream. Upside down: matches the event.©

You wait for it. With a daring of overridden fear. The thrill promised.

Like the few seconds between turning the knob on the gas stove, hearing that frantic click, click, click, before the whoosh and the fire.

Concerts are like that.

Last weekend Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers arrived for their 40th Anniversary Tour performance at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, Woodlands, TX.

Of course, a sold-out crowd.

Rock’s better in Red, though.

Next time, we’ll roll back to Denver even if it means a forced march road trip.

Eagles’ guitarist Joe Walsh was stellar as the opener.

The audience was right with him. Expectations built for the headliner.

Joe Walsh is somewhere in that white blob. Just view from prone position on the ground – sort of like the blond drunk chick with the flailing elbows who was vertically challenged even before Petty took the stage. Gotta learn to pace yourself.©

Petty played the list, but…

It’s complicated:  a good concert is a fine weaving between the musicians, the play list, and the audience. This time some intangible chord didn’t wrap.

Petty’s performance seemed a bit too much like a let’s-get-this-done precision stage show with little connection with the audience. I’d hate to say he phoned it in, ’cause the music hit the mark, but…

The English Webb sisters, Charlie and Hattie, well-known vocalists and musicians in their own right, didn’t seem to be utilized to add the dimension they are capable of…although tambourine skills are helpful, I suppose.

An audience a bit too well-heeled? Too suburban? Good mix of old, young, stylish, and the flip of flops, yet an odd flatness even though everyone enthusiastically knew the words and was more than willing to boogie.

Last time at Red Rocks all 3 components were up and running down a dream.

Placed best in shows.

OK. Not aliens. Joe Walsh and crew. Worthy of being seen from outer space.©

Everything considered, it was a pleasant evening, but calling a Tom Petty concert “pleasant” is  a little weird. 

Shouldn’t feel like going out for dinner and a show, right?

But hey, got some really intriguing abstract artsy images.

Lightly delighted.

Phil, the philosopher Mouse of the Hedge

• Houston Press concert review: “Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion”
• More about the Cynthia Woods venue here. It’s also a cool outdoor space. Flowing  white roof lines of the pavilion always reminds me of Denver Airport’s architecture.

What? You don’t know rocks from Red Rocks?

Rocks of ages. People never could stay away. Even before the Utes most likely. Officially promoted in 1906 as a unique outdoor entertainment venue with perfect acoustics, Red Rocks Amphitheater benefited from major improvements by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1941.  Beatles, Hendrix, the Dead, as well as Opera and Easter services. (We’ll ignore that 5 year ban after the Jethro Tull riot..) Still rockin’ after all those years.  Never been? Bucket list it.

Joe Walsh in this really great Sweet Dreams shark t-shirt. A must have except it’s YSL and $350.00. ©

 

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