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  1. Originally posted by EDDMB:Nice review Ron....I was on the ledge with a 3 1/2 as well....but the main set was very very good..so I went with a 4,meaning a very good gig...5 meaning an epic show,for me at least....besides the 2 clunkers from off PJ in the main set,I enjoyed it....a Present Tense would have elevated this show.. ... I felt as if the main set was a 4....the encore an average 3 .....but still wasn't with a 4....maybe because of Black ?????

    Black is always a solid factor and in Hartford was good although my bitterness
  2. Originally posted by EDDMB:On a slightly serious note......we do need to pick up the pace (if possible) gentlemen...today is Jan 15....as of today, we have only completed 4 shows....

    Chicago 1 (2006-05-16)

    Often we save are “overall” rating of a show to the end of the review but I think I’ll start by saying that this show warrants five-star consideration.

    We start off with the beautifully epic (or epically beautiful) “Release” – still my favourite opening songs and one of my favourite PJ songs altogether. Off the top of my head, I don’t think I’ve ever heard a performance of this song that I didn’t like. No, I don’t think they should open with it every night but I do hope they play it at the next PJ show that I attend.

    As per “usual” for this 2006 tour, the band promote the biggest three songs (WWS, LW, and SH) on the new album early in the show and I still enjoy the sequence very much. They follow the trio with “Comatose” (which isn’t the greatest) but I do think it works relatively well in this position. In previous shows, they’ve played it much later in the setlist and it kind of killed the momentum of the barrage of PJ classics. I think they we wise to check it off early on.

    Now on to some 1990’s stuff...

    Like “Release,” I rarely hear a bad version of “Given to Fly” and this was no exception. “Low Light” follows and, surprisingly, I really enjoyed this night’s performance. It seemed less subdued than usual and I really enjoyed. No matter how many times they play it, you’ll never hear me complain about “Corduroy.” It’s a “top three PJ song” for me. I love it. There’s something so mystic about the lyric, “Everything has changed, absolutely nothing’s changed” that I’ve never been able to get out of my mind.

    For the second time, “I’m Open” is played on the tour – much cleaner this time around – which segues nicely into “I Got Id/Shit,” which I love. I’ve always appreciate the emotion that EV pours into the song, lyrics like “I fight back with my mind” have always struck a chord with me – and I love how it seems to end quietly but then the band jumps in with a powerful finally. It’s just a great tune.

    “Even Flow” is played. Classic. I’ve always felt that the group can pretty much play anything after this song – you can be rather revved up when it ends so it’d be okay to keep the energy flying but it’d also be appropriate to play something slower or even something new. Just not “Unemployable.” I’ll move on.

    Thankfully a very strong “Daughter” follows (still “It’s Okay” – yet) but they do include an excellent “W.M.A.” tag so that (almost) makes up for it. The crowd eats this one up.

    Even though I find it quite silly how they relate Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls to the theme of “Present Tense” (much like they did with the Maple Leafs when they played Toronto), the performance is outstanding. The crowd does a great job singing “back up” vocals.

    The band doesn’t waste any time when PT ends and they burst into a full on version of “Do the Evolution” - a very nice build up with these last three songs. Good selection, Eddie.

    After talking to/about a long-time fan in the crowd, “Jeremy” begins. Nice version, although I prefer it when EV sings the first chorus as opposed to moaning it.

    “Save You” provides a jolt to this show (not that it needs it). It’s one of those high-octane songs that (for just a brief moment) makes me want to get into a mosh pit. Admittedly, it’s not as strong as similarly paced songs like “Spin the Black Circle” or “Brain of J” but I still like it.

    Mike McCready shows off his stuff to close out the main set with “Porch.” This was one of those Led Zeppelin-esque versions that clocks in at over ten minutes. Sometimes I’m not in the mood for it but this time around it worked for me.

    Encore 1 opens with a good version of “Better Man. Once again, no tag but I suppose a song as good as this one should be able to hold its own. “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away” follows. Great song but it was just played the other night so it may have been nice if they opted for something else, be it a cover or one of their own songs. “Come Back” follows. I’m trying to appreciate this song but it might be a bit too late in the set for it. At least they got it out of the way as opposed to interrupting a wonderful sequence of “State of Love and Trust,” “Black,” and “Alive” – a great way to close the first encore. I prefer “Alive” here as opposed to preceding “RITFW” (or some other cover) and “YLB” to end the entire show. Anyway, it ain’t over yet!

    “So this is how you beg and plead when you don’t want to leave, EV states and then the band bursts into “Go” – a stunning version. Need more from Vs? How about an intense version of “blood” to nearly close out the show? PJ would never end it now and they break into a beautiful version of “Indifference.” Thanks for a great show guys. We can go home now...right?

    Wrong.

    “Baba O’Riley” immediately breaks out (yeah, this is better than RITFW.) The crowd erupts. Admittedly, EV’s scream at the end of the first chorus isn’t as good as it often is but you can really fault him too much – he had sung “Blood” not too long ago.

    They could have ended it there but, what the heck, why not play “Yellow Ledbetter” to close out the show? I enjoyed this version, if only because they had already played so much!

    Highlights: Release, (surprisingly) Low Light, Corduroy, I Got Id, Daughter, Present Tense, SOLAT, Black, Alive, Go, Indifference.

    Rating: Once in a while you have to give a show five stars. This concert is one of them.
  3. Solid review Matt...listening to it again now....no question a very good show...

    you can always count on PJ playing great gigs in Chicago and San Diego...they have their roots !!!...lol
  4. Originally posted by clover68:it seems to me like if an index is pointing at me hehe
    you're definetely right though

    however we're in delay of one if the pace was 2 per week ...

    I think maybe 3 a week if possible....lets see how it goes..maybe we can do more shows one week,less the next....just as long as we keep this going...
  5. I'm listening to Boston 1 now.

    My plan is to go "all in" on the first leg (16 shows) and then take a short break before resuming the listening/reviewing.
  6. Sounds good..I will have Chicago 1 up tomorrow...
  7. Chicago,IL 05.16.06 N1

    Release open's N1,in it's typical,classic emotionally charged style.Such a great way to open.During “Release”, Ed sang “Oh dear John” in place of “Oh dear Dad”. The next 4 are new tunes off PJ.Pretty good versions of the "best 3",WWS,LW and Severed Hand.Ed says “can’t talk now, got work to do” before “Comatose”.This is pushing it,as far as new material.Its's an ok tune,but Corduroy would have fit in a lot better here.

    Ed tells the crowd after that he’s “starting to feel United”, mentioning that “a lot of incredible things have happened under this roof” and that he was “honored to play this building”, home of many Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls championships.He said he “did some research, and the roof weighs 230 metric tons” and that “with your help we can raise it with you tonight.” A rocking version of Given To Fly follows.I love this tune,and Ed doesn't hold back during it.

    For some reason,the band decide to really slow things down,with the less than stellar Low Light.Its ok,but it isnt exactly Footsteps now is it.The band bring things right back up again,with Corduroy.Very good rocking version,but this makes zero sense to me,as the slow,decent acoustic number I'm Open is next.The up and down feel of this set is annoying,as there is zero flow.Right when Im getting fired up,we cool it down.When I'm chill,we bring it back up,then bring the temp back down.

    I Got Id sounds good,and is a nice way to follow up, after the slower I'm Open.The very intense Even Flow picks things up again.Wild version,as always.Mike seems more manic on this verion.Its his spot to shine,and he does.Crowd are fired up,and begging to be slammed some more.

    But,the band decide to kill the mood,and the flow once again,with the always vile Unemployable.

    As this set seems to be going slightly downhill,Ed introduces “Daughter”,saying this next song is called “Thank Heaven for Little Girls”. Perfect placement,and this is the start of the main sets only great run.Decent version,but then Ed gets all political during the “W.M.A” tag.Ed sings “Texas son” instead of “American”, “Up his nose/it comes right off” instead of “dirty his hands…”,and “President” instead of “police man”. Interesting,to say the least.Then,instead of jamming,as they usually do,the song just ends.Below average version IMO.

    After Daughter's abrupt ending,Ed comments that the many sports commemorative flags hanging from the rafters may be dampening the sound – particularly a Jordan jersey retirement banner – and that it should be "taken down", and that he would gladly "store it in his suitcase".Funny stuff.The classic Present Tense starts up.Love it,and the crowd sing along loudly during the opening chorus.Really solid version,and this is THE highlight moment of the main set.

    The rocking Do The Evolution follows.You can never go wrong with this classic.The band sound great here,as they did on PT.Ed screaming his lungs out,and the rest of the band jamming hard.

    Ed calls out a fan “Rob” in the front row (center) who came to one of PJ’s earliest shows in Chicago with “a Mother Love Bone shirt and a pair of glasses”. Ed says that he’s got a different pair of glasses and remembered he used to go to shows with his girlfriend. Ed sees his non-female companion for this show and jokes that “he’s married an older man".This is Vedder at his best,and he says "this ones for you" as the famous notes to Jeremy begin.Highlight moment # 2.The songs just builds and builds and builds.

    The crowd are screaming their heads off as Jeremy ends.4 straight classics,and PJ are killing it.But,wait,whats this ? The band decide to bust out Save You.WTF ? This is a terrible move,as the momentum built up over the last 20 min is ruined by this,below average tune,off Riot Act no less.What was Ed thinking here ? The main set is comming to a close,and your blowing the crowd away,and you play this song ? Hmm,I wont go crazy and say the band should have played Habit here (they should have), maybe Dissident ? or Once ? or Spin The Black Circle ? Believe you me,nobody would have gone home saying "Shit,I wish they would have played Save You tonight !!"

    Thankfully, Porch ends the main set.Very long version,but it's rocking,and is classic Pearl Jam.

    Encore 1

    Before “You Got To Hide Your Love Away”,Ed spoke of how United Center was “like no other place”,and while he was proud to be in a band from Seattle," for better or worse – I think it’s better,I'll always be a kid from Chicago”. He mentions The Beatles,then "Yoko",the crowd boo of course,and Ed says "You just don't know yet.You will come around"....great stuff.

    Better Man starts up,crowd love it,and take over of course.Perfect spot here for this classic.Nice organ by Boom.No tag,still a very solid version.

    But,the encore now gets a curve ball,with Come Back.You can actually feel the audience sag,as the first notes fill the building.Its a decent enough song,but it has no business being played during the encore.IMO,Come Back is simply not strong enough to be placed after the great Better Man, and the absolute classics that proceed it.Small Town anyone ?????

    SOLAT knocks the crowd out.A fantastic early tune,that has never lost its punch.

    Black is perfect (as always),and IMO,its PJ best tune hands down.This version shows why I feel this way.As it's ending,Ed softly sings "We Belong Together"......just fantastic sounding.

    Alive still sounds fresh to me.IMO,put it in the middle of the main set.

    Encore 2

    Ed says "So,this is how you beg and plead,when you dont want someone to leave".Go kicks things right into overdrive.Love it,solid rocking version.

    The rare classic Blood keeps it going.I would have been mighty impressed here.Mike going off,simply shredding his solos,Matt bashing the hell out of his drums,Ed screaming,Jeffs bass dancing,Stone rocking out.....love it. Atomic Dog tag sounds great...this is what Pearl Jam are all about.

    The band cool things off with Indifference,another favorite of mine.This 3 song run would have had my pants wet.Listen as the crowd loudly sing 'I will scream my lungs out,til it fills this room !!!!!"...awesome.

    Baba O'Riley continues and sounds great.Ed can sing the Who like no other singer.Heck,most bands wouldn't touch the Who.

    Yellow Ledbetter end's what is just classic 2nd encore.


    4 1/2 stars

    The main set was very good.IMO,having 4 below average songs (Comatose,Low Light,Unemployable,Save You) played during the main set,dropped the main sets overall rating to just barely 4 stars.The placement of songs were off,and the flow was interrupted many times.Also,as I mentioned,Come Back is a decent song.I like it,but it should be played during this show's main set,not during that fantastic encore (5 stars).

    Highlights : Release,Present Tense,Jeremy,SOLAT,Black and all of encore 2.
  8. 2006-05-16 United Center - Chicago, IL

    Chicago this night, Cubs boy has his roots here and standout gigs usually sorts out since the early years .. so this is quite promising …
    Expectations grow high as soon as Stoney drops down the lines of Release .. i see the world feel the chill … Eddie completely in since the first verse and crowd already in since the first “release me” .. very good start.

    Next the “due” moment for promoting the new album at the beginning of the tour .. the usual solid block of 3 to rock the house down .. all of them well done with the right biting they need.
    I said for the first show Comatose would have been better than Marker at this place and here they go .. it comes out from the encore and its honest work is fulfill confirming what was my thought.

    Time to slow down a bit and give the show wings to fly raising the roof like Eddie intends .. Mike step in with his chords for what is a classic part of the set .. Given To Fly .. lovely.
    Low Light is the choice to breathe easy; it never had a special place in my preferences at all but I have to say that this has surprised me .. catchy and quite good atmosphere created.

    A classic is needed, Eddie knows it well, takes his who-tribute guitar and Corduroy is dropped on the face of the audience.
    Everything has chains, absolutely nothing’s changed … this song is one of the sure things that will never change .. top song and always one top moment of the concert .. Chicago is not an exception!

    Last concert saw a surprising fishing opened the encores and if possible even more surprisingly I’m Open is repeated .. cool 2 time in a life and in a row moreover. In the middle of main set this time introing I Got Shit … a nice pair .. this last always has its sense.

    Relaxed? Rested? Ready? Ok lets go now … Even Flow! Mike not only raise the roof, he completely blow it up .. 1 2 and the loud crowd verses fly up to the sky! Wonderful.

    After this explosion Unemployable shouldn’t have been there … at least it’s as an alternative to Marker. Lets pass on to Daughter .. WMA tag .. jeez Matt not-C will be piss off hehe .. I like it though and I would love an extended full version.
    Sweet No Code ballad now .. Present Tense and audience don’t miss the chance to “take the mic”. Love this song and love the usual ride in the “bridge” .. awesome Jeff there.

    What comes to go through the end of main set? The Evolution first in a quite unusual position, still great wherever you put it … Jeremy, no words needed it speaks by itself in class and everywhere … Save You, love the album and love one of its main tune, love Stoney riff and mainly the persisting lines by Jeff; new entry in the tour and well welcome by me … Porch to take its place closing this pack, usual long jam to leave the stage for a while, nice War Pigs hints here and not in Alive this time?. Great long ride to the end of main set in my opinion.

    Encores time now .. Eddie starting the first with his acoustic style warming the vocal cords of people with the Beatles cover, warm-up for the usual next sing along … Better Man … nice they could do better though.
    Huge simple herald of sweet sad emotions thinking to whoever you wish to Come Back…

    Unmistakable legendary riff thrown to start a threesome that simply is CLASSIC …
    State of Love and Trust – Black –Alive! .. really!!! We’re on Olympus now .. what started being a nice encore fly high up to a different level.
    War Pigs hint doubled during Mikey’s solo in Alive; he loves the Sabbath a lot hehe. I preferred the Even Flow though.
    I pretend Black to make its return to Forum!!! it deserves the treatment it always has under that roof .. sigh sigh!

    Classic second part of 1st encore and classic come back for the second … Go –Blood .. devastating right-left … not easy for Eddie the latter nowadays but he behaves quite well I’d say .. love the beating in the middle .. love the roughness of the song.
    They can’t go on like this, can they? So we’re surrounded by the swinging groove and delicate singing of Indifference, the best closer for me. Awesome version; huge Boom in the background.
    But after that 1st encore they can’t close just with 3 songs so Mike start the synth-intro replied on guitar to Baba .. loved cover by everyone Eddie the band the fans.

    Yellow Ledbetter to lead to the end; the high expectations has been fulfill. It’s a great concert that with some fine tunings, in the main set and the first part of encore 1, could strive for being epic. A wilder audience would have helped in that.
    Nevertheless not bad at all for being a N1

    Highlights: Even Flow - Release – Blood – Indifference – Save You

    Rating: 4 1/2
  9. Nice review, Ron.

    I think it's safe to say this is the best show so far????
  10. i guess so ...
    1- Chicago N1
    2- Toronto N2
    by now for me
  11. Eddie and Glenn Hansard recorded some new songs last year that seem to be released later this year
    grungereport
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