It’s not mere coincidence that the generous upload of material known as Tom Petty: An American Treasure arrives very close to the one-year anniversary of his abrupt, shocking death on Oct. 1 of last year. Such a tribute is apt and consoling, engendering a feeling of celebration, not mourning. Curated by a team that included Petty’s widow Dana, daughter Adria, Heartbreakers bandmates Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench, and producer Ryan Ulyate, the release comes in four different tiers of price and inclusiveness, ranging from the 26-song standard release to three 60-cut versions with various extras.
Speaking to the feelings summoned by the occasion, Dana Petty says she especially appreciates that her companion of many years had the chance to perform a trio of tour-closing shows in the landmark Hollywood Bowl in his adoptive city of Los Angeles: ”He had those three shows in L.A., and the day before he died he was pounding his chest going, ‘I’m on top of the world!’ Never had he been so proud of himself, so happy, so looking forward to the future — and then he’s gone.”