The common thread here though, is just how tight Pearl Jam has become as a band. They may not sell the records they did back in the heyday of Seattle's nineties grunge explosion. But they do show why they have developed a well earned reputation as one of the best live rock and roll bands in the world here.
And make no mistake.
Pearl Jam is a great rock and roll band — even though Eddie Vedder might just knock me over the head with his wine bottle for threatening his "punk credibility" by saying that. The fact is these guys are one of the few bands out there able to straddle that line. For every reluctant — unintended as it was — classic rock staple like "Alive," Pearl Jam responds with the punk rock energy of "Spin The Black Circle" on this set.
I've always said that these guys had a lot more Bad Company than Sex Pistols in them — what between Vedder's rock and roll soul vocals, and the dual guitar attack of Stone Gossard and Mike McCready. And let us not forget ex-Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron. The other thing Seattle does besides producing coffee and computer geniuses, is grow great drummers.
The other thing about Pearl Jam that this boxed set captures is the unique connection this band makes with their audience. Like Springsteen's live shows during songs like "Thunder Road," the audience quotes entire lyrics in unison during a particularly frenetic version here of "Why Go."
Playing before an adoring hometown crowd, under the beautiful starlit skies at the Gorge, you almost wish you could have been there — at least for one of these nights — listening to the seven plus hours documented here.
Even for fans who have all of Pearl Jam's numerous live releases, this boxed set represents something special.
Article comments
1 - Tom Johnson
I agree 100%, Glen. This is a great release. I haven't quite gotten through the whole thing yet, just taking it a bit at a time, and it's a pleasant surprise - I actually wasn't expecting it to be as great as it is, even knowing how good they are live. I'm really glad they opted to go for a more dedicated release for this than the official boots to set it apart as the shows really deserve the attention.
2 - Glen Boyd
Thanx Tom. When I see guys like you and Hathaway agreeing, I know I made the right call on this one. The whole thing is a lot to digest -- and even though I live in Seattle, I didn't even attend any of the shows documented here (don't ask). But from the moment I put it into my CD in my car player on one of the trips my job takes me to, I was immediately and completely absorbed by the intensity of the performance.
No doubt about it, this is great stuff.
Thanx for the comment.
-Glen