What does it sound like?:
Tom Petty’s right hand man Mike Campbell was a perfect sidekick – capable of coming up with hit making riffs (“Refugee” for example), solos long on melody and short on widdle, solid in the recording department and no desire to distract the audience from Tom, who was, after all, the main act. He could also make other acts sound great too when not on Heartbreaker duty or knock up the odd hit for others (“Boys of summer” for Don Henley). With the tragic departure of Tom you might think he would disappear into special guest territory, sort of famous but unwanted (what else did Mitch Mitchell do, for example). But no, it seems he had a side band all the time, doing bar gigs and having fun. Their launch as a proper act was delayed by Mike disappearing on tour with Fleetwood Mac for a year, but finally in December the first album by The Dirty Knobs appeared. OK OK, it’s a terrible name. There is nothing surprising and experimental here, but equally Mike’s songwriting chops are in fine form. The material ranges from good time country rock (“Pistol Packin’ Mama”), heartfelt country (“Irish » Continue Reading.
