An American Treasure
An American Treasure is a 2018 compilation album and box set of Tom Petty, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Mudcrutch released by Reprise Records on September 28, 2018. The set includes several rare and unreleased songs alongside more obscure album tracks that showcase Petty's songwriting. The majority of the content is Heartbreakers material but there are also several solo songs and some recordings by Mudcrutch. Critical reception has been positive.
Compilation and release
The recordings were chosen for remixing and remastering by Mike Campbell, Adria Petty, Dana Petty, Benmont Tench, and Ryan Ulyate. The goal for compiling the songs was to highlight lesser-known tracks and choose songs that Petty himself would prefer.Petty's daughter Adria made a promotional music video for the track "Keep a Little Soul" using home movies.
Reception
The box set has an 89 out of 100 on Metacritic, indicating universal acclaim.Writing for Uproxx, Steven Hyden called the compilation "especially refreshing" for focusing on alternative recordings and more obscure songs from Petty's catalogue, summing it up as, "a surprisingly good introduction for neophytes, no matter the dearth of hits". Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic gave the compilation 4.5 out of five stars, writing, "this box winds up as a fitting tribute to a rocker whose touch was so casual, he could be easy to take for granted, but when his work is looked at as a whole, he seems like a giant".
Track listing
All tracks written by Tom Petty, except where noted.Standard version
The standard version of An American Treasure features 26 songs spread evenly across two CDs. Of the 26 songs, 21 are previously non-album outtakes, rarities, alternate mixes/takes, or live versions.Deluxe version
The deluxe version of An American Treasure features 60 songs spread across four CDs. It is also available on vinyl as a six-LP set. Of the 60 songs, 42 are previously non-album outtakes, rarities, alternate mixes/takes, demos or live versions.Personnel
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers- Ron Blair – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Mike Campbell – lead guitar, bass guitar
- Howie Epstein – bass guitar, rhythm guitar, backing vocals
- Steve Ferrone – drums
- Stan Lynch – drums, backing vocals
- Tom Petty – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, lead guitar, bass guitar, harmonica, keyboards, ukulele
- Benmont Tench – keyboards, backing vocals
- Scott Thurston – rhythm guitar, keyboards, harmonica, bass guitar, backing vocals
- Mike Campbell – lead guitar, backing vocals
- Tom Leadon – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
- Randall Marsh – drums, announcer on "Radio Promotion Spot"
- Tom Petty – lead vocals, bass guitar, guitar
- Danny Roberts – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Benmont Tench – keyboards, backing vocals
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – concert introduction
- Jeff Lynne – backing vocals, bass guitar, keyboards on "Down South"
- Roger McGuinn – guitar, vocals on "King of the Hill"
- Stevie Nicks – vocals on "The Apartment Song", "Insider", and "You Can Still Change Your Mind"
- Sharon Celani – backing vocals on "You Can Still Change Your Mind"
- Ringo Starr – drums on "To Find a Friend"
- Jeff Jourard – electric guitar on "Fooled Again "
- Chris Bellman – mastering
- Nicholas Dawidoff – liner notes
- Shepard Fairey – cover art
- Mark Seliger – photography
- Ryan Ulyate – mixing
Charts