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  1. i guess so ...
    1- Chicago N1
    2- Toronto N2
    by now for me
  2. Eddie and Glenn Hansard recorded some new songs last year that seem to be released later this year
    grungereport
  4. Too soon?

    Chicago 2 (2006-05-17)

    I will admit that it’s been a few days since I listened to this show but have no intention of re-listening to it (aside from a few samples) before I write this review.

    We’ve discussed in the past that Night 2’s are usually better than Night 1’s during a two-show stint. However, how do you top a five-star Night 1? Well, you often don’t...because you can’t.

    The band is back to starting with “Severed Hand,” “World Wide Suicide,” and “Life Wasted.” I know that I’ve already stated that I think this is a great way to show confidence in a new album. They are, in my opinion, the best three songs on the album. However, when listening to ALL of the shows almost seven years later, it’s starting to lose its allure. It makes me wonder how individuals (much like you, Ed) were able to attend multiple U2 shows in a row on pretty much any of their tours. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure it’s fun but with the lack of variety for pretty much an ENTIRE SHOW, the luster must somewhat diminish, no?

    A weak version of “Animal” follows. I love this song but it doesn’t have the “oomph” from the other night in Hartford (or from previous tours). “Marker in the Sand” follows – obligatory, I supposed. “Do the Evolution” is next seems to pick the energy up a bit which is carried into “Whipping.”

    I’m glad at this point they haven’t forgotten about Riot Act and they break into “Half Full.” However, I have heard much better versions of this one from 2003 or more recent tours. I think the group is feeling the effects from the previous night and needs to slow down. They do so by playing a nice rendition of “I Am Mine.” Maybe they could have played a few slower ones?

    “Even Flow” is next – no complaints....MM jams a bit as it clocks in at over 7 minutes.

    The now-underplayed (never-played) “Gone” comes next. Good spot for it. It is followed by an interesting speech about why he left Chicago – to “change.” It’s somewhat inspiring and something I can sort of relate to. The whole poetic idea of it all is somewhat tarnished as he talks about ending up in Seattle where they make bombs and the band breaks into “Insignificance.” It’s one of my preferred songs off Binaural but I felt it got a bit too much love during the 2003 tour – it was played a lot. Fortunately, this is its tour debut.

    Next comes “Better Man” – as solid version that ends rather soon. A strange thing happens next...from scratch, they play a rather lengthy version of “Save it For Later.” It’s not a tag of “Better Man.” Unfortunately, it doesn’t have the energy that so many direct segues have so even though it’s longer than usual, it’s a bit of a let down for me.

    The main set ends with “Down” (nice song but overplayed at this point in PJ’s history for a b-side), “Garden” (great song, weak version), “Inside Job” (glad they still bring it out once in a while nowadays), “Lukin” (fast and fun), and “Why Go” (it’s hard to believe they barely played it at all for almost a DECADE because it’s back in a bad (well, good) way now.

    Before I move on to the (somewhat) better portion of the show, I will say I wasn’t too thrilled with the show at this point – three starts at best so far.

    Encore 1 does the “Wasted Reprise” into “Man of the Hour” pairing – like Toronto #2. I like both of the songs but not together. However, the Mamma Son triad of “Footsteps” (always a treat in an encore), “Once,” and “Alive” end it and give this show some four-star hope....

    ....which is completely lost when they begin encore 2 with a god-awful performance of “Last Kiss.” What a mess! Fortunately, “Last Exit puts a band aid on the debacle and is played quite nicely. I’m a fan of the next two Vs songs (“Glorified G” and “Small Town”) but neither worked very well in this position on this night. “GG” sounds a bit forced (maybe I was just losing patience) and “Small Town” has no business being in the second encore. It’s a sing-along that works nicely near the start (but not AT the start – more on that in my next review) of a show.

    The crowd seems to be quite pleased that “Crown of Thorns” is played for the first time – ever – in Chicago. Nice song. I am embarrassed to admit that I didn’t realize how “special” them playing it at Toronto, 2011-09-11 was until after the fact.

    The show ends with “RITFW” and “YLB.”

    Highlights – Footsteps, Once, Alive, Last Exit, Crown of Thorns
    Lowlight – Last Kiss (man, that was BAD)

    Rating – Three Stars.
  5. from an interview with Stone on an italian magazine

    Eddie Vedder said that you are half work ...
    "More or less so. We prepared five songs. We will prepare more over the coming three to four months. And who knows at summertime the disc is not done. "

    How it play? Or how would you like it to sound?
    "We are at a stage too backward to hypothesize. There is not an idea of albums for discussion yet, speculations would not help. Do not want to think about: First I want to do it. Obviously I hope it will be a great record. I hope that sounds fresh in the ears of the people. Interesting. Different. They are intangible qualities: you know you have them captured only after you did it. "

    english->italian by journalist
    italian-> english by me ... so .... hehe

    nice thing, at least for me, is that Brad are collecting fans request to fill the setlists
  6. Ok,so...after 3 yrs this record if half done......unreal.....Stone seems a little put off,as Jeff did during that breif interview a few months ago....."who knows ?" Seems to be a dig at Eddie,who obviously seems more into his solo acoustic material.Ed should just pursue it full time,as he has since the last 2 years.... he isn't 100% commited to PJ,and he hasn't been since 2006.I wish he felt as strongly as Bono does,about the whole band concept.I'm sure the Edge could tour solo,and play small theatre's like the Beacon, here in NYC..maybe play Love Is Blindness,as he did on From the Sky Down.....but,he's too commited to U2 for that nonsense,they are a band first and foremost.

    Also,I can't wait for the announcement of this years latest 2 week tour...maybe they will play Alive during the encore ?? and close 1 or 2 shows with Ledbetter ??? ..or the festivals in South America in March,instead of going in the studio...yeah......of course there will be zero new material debut at these festival shows...maybe PJ will do a 2 week tour of N.America ? And ,of course,I won't be able to get tickets from the 10 club,as their "system" will no doubt break down as it always does.....

    The fact that I didn't take the short drive to Philly,in Sept,from Manhattan speaks volumes on how my opinions on this "band" have changed since 2006.If I'm going to see them,I will travel to Europe,and make a short trip out of it....as I did this past June.

    I'm glad we are covering the 2006 tour gentlemen,not only was this Pearl Jams last proper tour,they just seemed to be more of a BAND then,so its good to look back and reflect...what bothers me most,is the band still have it,as they showed Europe in June...that just makes me more frustrated and pissed at EV......just my opinions of course.....

    Anyhow.............. I listened to Chicago 2 on both wed and thurs morning,during my jog.I'm listening to Grand Rapids now......I have always loved the fire of this one...

    Carry on..........
  7. For you, Ed:




    I appreciate your frustration, Ed.
  8. They all seem to be telling different stories about this new album. They are doing a U2.
  9. Too much time apart, I suppose.
  10. another extract from the same interview .. i think someone in U2 and U2 fandome (see the related topic) should read and reflect ... they were very very close to this

    "Exactly. I like the fact that, while not knowing rationally that I'm doing something good eventually emerge. When I write I feel like a painter who distributes patches of paint on the canvas without reasoning about, instinctively, until he sees something emerge. Then take that thing, he emphasizes the character, the potential, makes it consistent. The way I see it, making music is a simple task, from childhood traits. That's why when you make music you can not lose. "

    If making music is a recreational activity, it means that it has nothing to do with ambition? I speak of the ambition to speak to a wider audience, but also to make records that people will remember in thirty or forty years ...
    "That kind of thinking is not healthy. If it comes to mind, can inhibit the creation. "

    Stone Gossard
  11. "Making music is a simple task." Some would disagree with that statement. All I've got to say is, if it's such a "simple task" then write it all and release it ASAP!
  12. 05.17.06 Chicago,IL N2

    N2....Chicago....this show had all the makings of a classic written all over it.This was not to be the case.The "big 3" as I call them,open the show.Solid versions,good tunes.Animal follows,but half the band start playing Marker in the Sand.The false start that makes Ed laugh.Animal restarts without incident this time.Crowd sing along well,and I can see the fans going wild in my head.But,as has been the case so far on this tour,the band decide to force Marker on the fans.They were so eager to play it.It does nothing for me now,and it did nothing for me in '06,when I saw the band.Piss break tune.

    Do The Evolution > Whipping are solid rockers,and I like them back to back.Jeff hits a couple of wrong notes,band are obviously off this evening.Ed's voice is not in top form.

    The band needed something big here.They decide to pull out 1/2 Full.An average song,at best.I would have been less than thrilled at this point.1/2 Empty also sounds off.

    IAM Mine follows.I love this song,and have no reservations on hearing it.The problem here is simple.The band are off,and there is zero flow to this set.

    Even Flow sounds good.Mike does his usual riffs.Gone,a song I like, is up next.Good version.IMO,this is where WWS would have fit in.Ed keeps talking about "change" when the tune is over.It's 2013 Ed,and nothing has changed under Obama.

    Another average tune is up,Insignificance.Piss break,more beer's guys ? I didn't mind it in 2000,but in 2006 its forced.Out of the first 12 tunes,5 are off PJ,2 off Riot Act and 1 from Binaural.....one word....Ouch.

    Better Man sounds very good,crowd sing along loud at the start.Another short version.The song ends,and after a brief pause,Ed starts playing the chorus guitar line, going into “Save It For Later”, and the band joins him after a moment.

    The below average Down is busted out.I could never understand the band's infatuation with this number.

    The classic Garden is next,but it's the short,edited version.Not good.

    A nice version of Inside Job is played.I like it,and it has always been my favorite off PJ.This set needed something else here.This show is beyond flat.Black,Jeremy and Nothingman would have been a nice run.

    Following “Inside Job”, Ed introduces “Lukin” as “another introspective number”. Very loud crowd sings “Why Go Home” break between verses of “Why Go”. Decent run,cant save this below average set.


    Encore 1

    Wasted Reprise> Man of the Hour.I like both songs,and Man of the Hour sounds very good here.But after a very weak main set,the band needed an amazing start to the encore.This is not it.

    Footsteps is classic PJ.Ed mentions this is "about as old as they get for us." Really good version,I love this tune.Once and Alive complete the Momma - Son trilogy.For those of you who don't know this story.On Sept 14th,1990,EV received a cassette tape in the mail,from Stone and Jeff.Ed went surfing in a sleep deprived state,and came up with the beautiful lyrics to the three instrumental demos that he’d heard.

    When the tape left Seattle, the songs were called Dollar Short, Agytian Crave, and Times Of Trouble. When it was returned,with the words “for Stone + Jeff” scribbled on it, the re-dubbed tape now had the tracks we know as Alive,Once,and Footsteps.This is the highlight of the show,and of course the best 3 song run.



    Encore 2

    Last Kiss starts,and it's ugly.The band are way off.Ed is singing from behind,and doesn't appear to know the words.Just skip it.

    Last Exit and Glorified G are 2 classic PJ tunes.I dont know about them here,during encore 2.The main set could have used them.They would have been a welcome addition, in place of 1/2 Empty and Insignificant.

    Ed mentions a bunch of suburbs,and there is a lot of booing,he responds "Is there anyplace you guys like?"..Small Town starts..great song,no question,but this one belonged in the sub par main set..not now....

    The classic Crown of Thorns is dusted off.Love it.Highlight # 2 of this show.Good version,but its just too late.This show is already done IMO.

    The dull,tired,please play something else (Indifference) RITFW follows,into the obvious show closer Yellow Ledbetter.



    3 stars



    This show was flat,and uninspired.The band were off for most of the night.They sounded tired,as if they were all hung over ? The set gave me the impression that this show was mailed in.

    I was going to give this show a 2 1/2,but the presence of the Mamma-Son trilogy,and the rare classic Crown of Thorns making an appearance,was taken into consideration,therefore explaining the 3 stars.


    Highlights : IAM Mine,Inside Job,Momma -Son and Crown of Thorns.
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U2start is run by fans for fans. Help us reduce personal costs. Consider to make a donation to support us.
U2start is run by fans for fans. Help us reduce personal costs. Consider to make a donation to support us.