Music > Album Reviews

Tom Petty - Finding Wildflowers (Alternative Versions)

20/04/21

The album Finding Wildflowers was previously released as part of the super deluxe edition of Wildflowers and All The Rest from last year. However, this one is a little different to the original release, as it contains the songs as they were before making the final cut.

The album has been curated by Tom’s family and band members alike and it features the previously unreleased “You Saw Me Comin’.” It contains the songs exactly as Tom originally imagined, with alternate takes, jam versions, and longer tracks, all produced by the legendary Rick Rubin.

There is no doubt that Tom is a masterful songwriter, and this album differs significantly from the original release. It does seem strange listening to this after Tom’s passing, but it strikes a chord, and tugs at your heartstrings. I found it hitting me right in the feels…. I guess I’m a sentimental old fool.

It does make for great listening though, and it brings back so many fond memories, and of course, like many of Tom’s albums, it’s perfect for driving along with the windows wide open, or the top rolled down, blasting at full volume. The whole world will listen to Tom Petty, whether they like it or not.

Is it worth getting if you already have the original version of Finding Wildflowers? Absolutely. When you compare them alongside, you can understand the original vision that Tom had for each song, and the differences are significant enough to warrant getting it again. I’d go so far as to say that it could make the previous version redundant, because this is how it was meant to be, warts and all.

Do yourself a favour and get this at your earliest opportunity because it’s just sublime in every way.

10/10