June 20, 2013
Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh, PA
"Melinda" - a track released only on 2009's Live Anthology box set - has quickly become a favorite on the 2013 summer tour.
A slow-burning cowboy love ballad, "Melinda" begins with Tom alone, just his voice and acoustic guitar.
"When I get four hundred dollars
I'm going to see Melinda
Because I've been working, I've been saving
for a ticket to Melinda
And I just don't care
what you have to say
Because I'm getting up in the morning
And I'm off the see Melinda"
On Thursday night in Pittsburgh, Mike Campbell trickled in on mandolin toward the end of the first verse, a few beats before the entire band fell in behind Tom and Benmont Tench launched into the rolling piano melody that serves as the song's backbone.
"I would give the moon and sky
to be there with Melinda
The Earth and all its kind
just to touch Melinda
And I just don't care
if you're going with me
Cause I'm getting up in the morning
And going to see Melinda"
As good as Tom's performance and the lyrics are, Benmont steals the show every night "Melinda" is called on. After the song's third verse, the band picks up speed into a gallop with Benmont at the helm before crashing into a breakdown. As the dust settles, Benmont and Steve Ferrone emerge as a duo to improvise for about three minutes, just piano and drums. Each night is different; no two are the same. Some nights are jazzy, some feel more classical and some just straight up rock, but it's always an absolute pleasure to watch, two legendary musicians - both at the top of their respective games - channeling the spirit.
Rock & Roll Star
Love Is A Long Road
I Won't Back Down
Baby Please Don't Go
Here Comes My Girl
Mary Jane's Last Dance
The Best of Everything
Free Fallin'
Woman In Love
Cabin Down Below
Tweeter & The Monkey Man
Rebels
Melinda
Learning to Fly
You're So Bad
I Should Have Known It
Refugee
Runnin' Down A Dream
Encore:
Don't Come Around Here No More
You Wreck Me
American Girl