Didn't this picture come out nicely? Probably the best single picture that I've taken at a concert! Felt undeservedly proud of myself for it, although it was as much luck as anything, since he paused for maybe a second or two, allowing it to look amazing and not at all blurry.
I was listening to "Breakfast With the Beatles" a few weeks ago, which is a Sunday morning ritual with me, and the host of the show said something that I felt was very apropo. In effect, he said, there were two kinds of people: those who liked the Beatles, and those who pretended that they did not like the Beatles.
Most of us know some people who claim not to like the Beatles. I have met quite a few myself. (Stay with me, I have a point that I am slowly, painstakingly working my way to).
My question to those people is what exactly don't you like about them? I mean, these were four guys who were individually talented and creative, and who produced some high quality stuff on their own, independent of The Beatles. Yet, when they got together, they were able to remove ego (mostly, although maybe it started getting in the way a bit towards the end), and they produced some of the enduring music of recent memory. They fed off of one another, and the ideas also kept one another in check, if you will. Not too much influence from any one member, which allowed the music to really flourish. In essence, they brought out the best in one another.
Now, why do I start a review of a Pearl Jam concert with a lengthy little dissertation on self-proclaimed Beatles haters, you ask? Well, it's because I feel the same way about Pearl Jam. I have known a few (admittedly, quite a few more people that almost proudly hate and discredit Pearl Jam) than those who claim to hate the Beatles.
But why? These guys are amazingly talented individually. Yet, when they get together, they produce some amazing things. Not just the albums, either. In fact, even though I like each of Pearl Jam's albums, the magic really is most glaringly obvious when these guys take the stage. They work well together, feed off of one another, and just are an incredible act to see live! Eddie's lyrics are deep and resonate about pertinent issues, and his voice is simply amazing (although I have been told by one critic of the band that it is an acquired taste, with the implication being that she had not acquired that particular taste). Mike McCready is kind of the flashiest member of the band (he was sporting an all-leather outfit last night), and he has just some incredible solos. Stone Gossard, one of the original members of the band and it's predecessors) is a brilliant songwriter that wrote some of the signature songs of Pearl Jam's repertoire. Jeff Ament, also one of the original members of the band, and it's predecessors), is an amazing and talented bassist who brings a physical presence and athleticism onto the stage (especially in his younger years). Ament also wrote some solid stuff that have become staples of Pearl Jam's musical offerings. Matt Cameron is a very talented drummer with a proven track record, particularly with Soundgarden, before he became a permanent member of the band. And finally, Boom Gospar, who is simply amazing on the keyboards. he was the newest "member" of Pearl Jam, brought on to contribute during Riot Act, and each of the legs of the tour that followed (personally, my most active period following the band around).
They each have done some work in music to the side of the band, and quality stuff, at that.
But when they get together, it's simply amazing! I don't know any other band from my generation that are so well put together, that work so well together, and consistently produce top quality stuff. It's the reason that I, like so many other loyal Pearl Jam fans, keep turning back to them. Their music and image has changed greatly over the course of the over two decades since they became a band. Their history is fascinating, with humble beginnings, and then a meteoric rise to the top (some people have insinuated that Pearl Jam took over the world, and I am not going to argue with that), followed by a mutual unplugging from the machinery, of sorts. Along the way, they have had no shortage of their doubters and dissenters. Yet, they not only endured, they thrived! They now enjoyed the benefits of a vaunted, privileged place in music, and they are one of the few bands that can truly sell out large venues in multiple cities, and still have fans begging for more.
Now, I understand that there was this sort of rivalry going on between Kurt Cobain (note that I did not say Nirvana as a band, because these tensions and criticisms were mostly restricted just to Cobain and his wife, Courtney Love), and that these attacks left a lasting impression, largely discrediting Pearl Jam to some others, who truly believed that these guys were get rich quick scam artists and posers, who quickly put out an album and capitalized on the up and coming Seattle scene and grunge image. If Mick Wall is right in his book about the band, it was this shadow cast by Kurt Cobain that called into question Pearl Jam's credibility, by painting them (unfairly, I would argue) as quick scheme artists and opportunity seekers.
I heard an interview with Little Kim
But to any people who take a reasoned, objective stand, this band has proven by now that they are far from that. They have now garnered a well earned reputation as rock icons. Yet still, people seem almost amazed by it. In some cases, there is almost a hint of that old, lingering skepticism.
Case in point, there was a review of the recent Pearl Jam album, "Lightning Bolt", where Will Hermes, the author of the piece, had this to say about Pearl Jam:
"Unlikely though it seems, the grunge survivors are now — Bruce Springsteen excepted — America's foremost torchbearers of classic rock."
("Pearl Jam Lightning Bolt Monkeywrench/Universal" by Will Hermes of Rolling Stone, October 15, 2013:
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/lightning-bolt-20131015)
So, even here, this guy is simultaneously giving them credit (albeit reluctantly), while kind of expressing (without outright expressing) his own detraction.
Unfortunately, some people still strongly make the case that the Beatles were not that great, and were overhyped, despite the mountain of evidence to the contrary. And in a similar vein, plenty of people continue to make a point of ignoring what is obvious to all of the fans of Pearl Jam, as well as more detached outside observers: that Pearl Jam's legacy is already secure, because the band has produced some incredible stuff stretching over what is now a lng period of time. Over two decades! Ten albums! Some very well known bands that had a deep impact never lasted nearly that long, including the Doors and, yes, the Beatles themselves.
That's saying something. And it's important to note that there will always be those who dislike and try to discredit for reasons all their own. It used to bother me, as a fan. But the truth is, we need not concern ourselves with that. If you are a fan like me, then you feel that this band has rewarded you greatly over the years. They have kept giving, with unbelievable music (not just the albums, but also the other releases and lesser known works), and some very memorable, even legendary, shows. They were the first band to come up with the idea of official bootlegs, and they still do that better than anyone else!
So, forget the detractors, and concentrate on what is the most important thing: the music that the band produces, and the way that makes you feel. That should be more than enough. Do that, and you can move on to what it is, precisely, that you admire in the band, and that is what I am about to do now, with a review of last night's show:
The Show at Philly on October 22, 2013
It was on this date, in 1990, that Pearl Jam took the stage for the first time ever, and thus, this is the date often credited for being their anniversary. So, I was hoping for something really amazing for this show, even though it was their 23rd anniversary, and not some nice, even, or round, number.
Once again, Pearl Jam came out and opened with the soft, yet very intense Pendulum, which is quickly becoming the staple song to open up to for the band on this tour. Then, they played the beautiful Wash, which itself is a strong, if uncommon, opener.
Nothingman was a bit of a pleasant surprise, as the band tends not to play that particular track too often. Not sure why, because it really is a gem.
They picked up the tempo a bit with Corduroy and Mind Your Manners, and the energy was high. Not long afterward, they continued with the hard rocking intensity with Hail Hail and Satan's Bed, and the crowd was going nuts.
Of course, the whole arena erupted with Even Flow, which was followed by an entirely different sounding song, Sirens, which is from the most recent album. They then performed Got Some, before Eddie stopped to talk to the crowd. He talked a little about Dr. J, Julius Erving, and dedicated the next song to him, which was Given to Fly.
This was followed by an incredibly rocking rendition of Present Tense, one of my personal favorites from the underrated No Code album from 1996. They then played Infallible, another track from their most recent album, after which Eddie Vedder told a brief story about a veteran who was in attendance, who had written the band a letter. He then introduced that veteran, and dedicated the next song, World Wide Suicide, to him, mentioning that he had enrolled to take courses, providing a positive example of hope for us all.
The soldier back from Afghanistan, who was at the show and was acknowledged by Vedder for his letter to the band. Vedder also ran up to him and greeted him warmly, as well as some of those other guys in the vicinity. Must have been a memorable night for all the right reasons for this lucky guy!
Pearl Jam then exploded into Do the Evolution, which was followed up by a killer version of Betterman to close the first set, with the crowd delirious and roaring their approval. Vedder also had an unusually long and deliberate pause in the middle of the song, which the crowd appreciated greatly.
After the short break, they opened the first encore with Parachutes, followed by Yellow Moon, Come Back, and Future Days.
The rest of the show was almost entirely songs that date back to the band's earliest days and shows. They played Breath, and then Vedder was scrambling from member to member of Pearl Jam and seeming to change the setlist on the spot, much like a quarterback calling an audible. They then ripped into State of Love and Trust, to complete the "Singles" theme.
They followed this up with the awesome sounding Unthought Known, before finally closing out the first encore with another killer version of Porch. This song, like the night before, was lent a great deal of additional energy already provided by the spot on performance by the band, but also by the lowering of those strange, hanging metallic balls that band members like to push around to make these move, and which Eddie specifically like to climb and then swing from, which feels reminiscent of the earliest days of the band, when he would climb up to the rafters, and often jump from breathtakingly dangerous heights, to the crowd below. Simply incredible!
Eddie swinging around on the hanging metallic ball lights during Porch
The band performs Last Kiss for the people in back.
Two more familiar tracks followed, Alive and then Baba O'Riley, and Vedder seemed to be insisting at that point that this was it, the show was over.
But then, McCready struck the first notes of Yellow Ledbetter, one of their signature closers, which also allows McCready to showcase his guitar talents.
At some point during the final encore, Eddie spoke about how it was noteworthy that the album had reached the top five in terms of sales. He stated that it was number five, then corrected it to number four. Then three, two. And finally, that it was number one in sales. He then added that the band was always the type that didn't give a shit about such things, although he allowed that, maybe, indeed, it mattered enough to make them feel good about it.
At another point late in the show, Vedder also spoke about how everyone in the band was from the West Coast (with Boom Gospar being the far, far West), and that to them, the British Invasion bands had seemed so exotic. He then mentioned that even the East Coast seemed exotic, and then said with pride that he felt very happy and privileged that the band had forged a connection with Philadelphia. Later on, he specified this by speaking of all the shows "two years ago, four years ago, ten years ago, twenty years ago", to applause from the fans.
Several times, the fact that this was the band's birthday was acknowledged (at one point, Vedder even lead the entire arena to sing 'Happy Birthday" to the band! He mentioned how much of a privilege it was for him, and the band.
There was a bit of buzz about potential special guests. Chris Cornell had been in New York the previous day, apparently, in order to do the Jimmy Fallon Show. Might there be a Temple of the Dog reunion? Also, the guy next to me tapped me and showed a website that he was on, which stated that Philly had better be ready tonight, because Bruce Springsteen was in the house. Whether he was or not, I cannot say for sure. But he certainly did not show up on stage. Nor did Cornell.
At some point, Eddie fell on his face, right before he was supposed to start singing. Yet, he remained unfazed, and kind of just say up and quickly got the microphone out from under him, and started singing again. Can't quite remember which song that was, though, but towards the end of the show.
Ultimately, though, what made the night memorable was this band. And I cannot say enough how much of a privilege it was to see them on such an important day as their anniversary (or birthday, as Vedder called it). They have changed style over the years, and their concerts, like all concerts, have been changed by technology. The guys are visibly older. The technology employed by the fans in attendance has radically changed in time, as well. Now, during the actual show, people are texting their friends, posting status updates on Facebook, checking the internet for other possible things of interest (not sure why people would want to do this after paying good money to attend a show, but people do it anyway), talking on cell phones (fortunately, this was not a problem for either Philly show this time around, but it was a problem in the past). Hell, someone, and maybe more than one person, are even updating the setlists as the concert is going along, for those interested in following the setlist live.
But what has not changed is the band's incredible performance, and just how much they put into their shows. They have the most diverse setlist of any band that I know of, and that is an impressive achievement. It is also why fans such like me keep returning to the shows, time after time after time!
I could not quite read what these signs said. Does anyone else know, by chance? Just curious.
I went with my friend John, and he took this shot.
Set List:
Pendulum
Wash
Nothingman
Lightning Bolt
Corduroy
Mind Your Manners
Amongst the Waves
Hail Hail
Satan's Bed
Untitled
MFC
Even Flow
Sirens
Got Some
Given to Fly
Present Tense
Infallible
World Wide Suicide
Do the Evolution
Better Man
Encore:
Parachutes
Yellow Moon
Come Back
Future Days
Breath
State of Love and Trust
Unthought Known
Porch
Encore 2:
Last Kiss (Wayne Cochran cover)
Leaving Here (Edward Holland, Jr. cover)
Blood
Alive
Baba O'Riley (The Who cover)
Yellow Ledbetter
PS - So, if you are going to see a Pearl Jam show in the near future, and were wondering about a few things, maybe some notes on general information will prove helpful to you. You should remember that this band in particular tends to emphasize making each show different, and thus unique, so that they won't simply repeat themselves. But some of the general rules in the shows thus far might apply for some future shows, so I picked what I thought would be the most relevant things that people might want to know and/or get the chance to appreciate. Here goes:
There is no opening act. The band seems to normally come on the stage somewhere between 8:20-8:30, give or take, and not to be a spoiler, but the standard go to opener for the shows on this tour thus far seems to be Pendulum. At some points, particularly for the early songs, the video feed is in black and white, which adds to the dramatic effect, and simply looks awesome! Take a look and appreciate it, if you remember.
The black and white video, with the banners barely visible behind it
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