So I saw Pearl Jam last night.

[DirtLover]

They put on an a great show! Played a great selection of songs from their catalog, some I'd never heard before. Played a scaled down mostly acoustic set (4 songs maybe) and covered Fortunate Son and closed with Alive. What's not to like? Musicianship was awesome and the most impressive thing to me was Eddy's voice. He sounded great. At one point I remember thinking "whoa, he really sounds good." I'd heard/read, maybe here, that his voice isn't quite what it used to be. Not the case last, night. True pros putting a great show. No shorts, tan pants or Hawaiian shirts to be seen.
One last note, the sound was good for what is by no means a great venue, throughout the show I was able to pick out individual guitar parts, bass, and things weren't lost in an echoey mess compounded by fuzzed out eardrums - loud, but not excessively so, I actually took out my earplugs for most of the night.

 

[aaronblues]

Was reading reviews on Pj's forum today. Sounded like a fairly special show, smaller venue/Jeff's hometown/Tester fundraiser, etc. I read that Ed was a bit sick, so glad to hear that you thought his voice was still right on track, despite that. The band really has gotten tighter and just BETTER in the last couple years. 2010-present has had some excellent shows. I think they are at their peak now, just hoping they can make a new album that really can be counted as a true classic. Now's the time!

cheers!!

 

[Jesus freak]

Jealous!

 

[jape]

Great to hear this!

A friend drove to MT to see the show. He is a HUGE Pearl Jam fan & has been looking forward to seeing this show for a long time.

Very cool that he got a chance to see a great performance, I wish I could have been there.

 

[levous]

I caught them at music midtown in Atlanta and I have to agree, they're performing as we'll as they ever have. I was worried about too much of Eddie's political opinion overtaking his show but it never came up. He spoke through his music and did so with aplomb.

 

[semi-hollowbody]

Have these guys EVER had a bad show or just "phoned" it in...I never hear anything but rave reviews of their live shows...

Awesome...I definitely need to see PJ...love the music just never went to a show...

 

[outtahear]

Who's drumming these days??

 

[mediocreplayer]

Matt Cameron.

I lost track of how many times I saw PJ. Can't wait to see them again.

 

[DirtLover]

I stated in the OP they finished with Alive. I was wrong, had to leave out of consideration for the babysitter. Eddy said "Here's one more." They played Fortunate Son (saw that) then Alive (heard it outside) - liar! It was 11:00 and they went on until 11:30, played Rockin' the Free World, and a bunch of other good stuff. From what I heard from friends at the show.
Anyway, I saw a great show regardless, just missed some of what I am sure were great moments at the end. definitely got my money's worth!
Yep, Sorum.
Not too policital even thought it was a fund raiser for a local Senate candidate (from Jeff's hometown). Kept it short, to the point mostly and not too strongly devisive.
True pros!

 

[DirtLover]

Right. Cameron. Must find coffee, not sure where the Sorum ref. came from.
I'm leaving now...

 

[3 Mile Stone]

I see the Eddie Vedder dates. Anyone seen his solo show? What's it like. He's in Austin TX on my birthday. Might be cool.

 

[gtraddict]

they are getting better musically with age, would love to see them now

 

[mediocreplayer]

I see the Eddie Vedder dates. Anyone seen his solo show? What's it like. He's in Austin TX on my birthday. Might be cool.

I have not, but I have Water on the Road, a dvd of a live show. I personally thought it was great. Mixes up tunes from PJ, his own, Dylan, etc. Plays acoustic, electric, Ukes, really fun show.

 

[3 Mile Stone]

Cool , thanks!

 

[katuna]

How was Mudhoney?

 

[DirtLover]

Meh... Mudhoney didn't do much for me. I think they were actually louder than PJ or maybe PJ just sounded much better. If I had more exposure to their music I may have been more impressed. Singer was entertaining though, looks like he draws a bit from Iggy. Would probably like them better in a smaller venue... maybe. My .02.

 

[katuna]

I like em a lot, but I wouldn't doubt that they are better in smaller venues.

I dig their frontman - have you seen him fronting the pre Pearl Jam band Green River? It's really great. They did some reunion shows a few years back that yielded some great footage on youtube.

 

[joemilitello]

The dudes from Mudhoney came out and they did KICK OUT THE JAMS.

Mark Arm tackled McCready during his solo, and he didn't miss a note.

Great show, and for only 5000 people, plus Jeff's parents.

Fantastic show.

 

[joemilitello]

Meh... Mudhoney didn't do much for me. I think they were actually louder than PJ or maybe PJ just sounded much better. If I had more exposure to their music I may have been more impressed. Singer was entertaining though, looks like he draws a bit from Iggy. Would probably like them better in a smaller venue... maybe. My .02.

PJ was trying out a new PA. My wife and I had been to a Nine Inch Nails show, as well as a Motorhead/Foo Fighters show there last year.

It was punishingly loud for NIN and the Foo.

This was loud, but not punishing. That acoustic first encore was fvcking ridiculous. Also, dug them singing to the cheap seats behind them.

That was my 12th time seeing Pearl Jam since 92, and that was a special show.