I'll never understand all of the hate for poor Boom.
He adds color and expands the bands sound.
His contributions alone to the last record justified his place in Pearl Jam - "Marker In The Sand" and "Inside Job" come to mind-
Besides, "Love Boat Captain" would never have been written without him, and his organ parts to "Crazy Mary" have turned an already awesome song into an absolute hightlight live.
The reason Boom's not on "Backspacer" is not because the band is phasing him out, it's more to do with the fact that Brendon is an excellent player himself, and simply chose to play the parts himself and get whatever sound he wanted out of the band as oppossed to handing the duties over to someone else . He did this on the last Sprinsteen record and he's been known to handle the piano, organ, and keys on almost everything else he's recorded or produced.
I have no doubt that as the new songs unfold live, Boom will handle whatever keyboard, piano, and organ parts are required, and he shine like he always does.
I think the band is finding new and interesting ways of using Boom's talents and I think he'll become more and more prominent on future albums and tours.
Haven't read everyone's thoughts on this, but I personally dislike keys of just about any kind in guitar driven rock music...I have no issues with Boom (how could I, I don't know him) but I respect the decisions that Pearl Jam make in just about every single way...you have to admire them for being the best live band in the world, with the best staying power...all this bashing of Boom is silly...saying he doesn't deserve to play with PJ or that he isn't good enough is soooooo not our call to make
It's not like he's Dizzy Reed
"No way to save someone who won't take the rope,and just lets go..."
'I want to hurry home to you
put on a slow, dumb show for you
and crack you up
so you can put a blue ribbon on my brain
god I'm very, very frightening
and I'll overdo it'
The reason Boom's not on "Backspacer" is not because the band is phasing him out, it's more to do with the fact that Brendon is an excellent player himself, and simply chose to play the parts himself and get whatever sound he wanted out of the band as oppossed to handing the duties over to someone else . He did this on the last Sprinsteen record and he's been known to handle the piano, organ, and keys on almost everything else he's recorded or produced.
I think that's an example of phasing him out. Not to get rid of him completely of course....but it definitely shows that he's not the sixth member of the band like he was portrayed as in 2003.
I agree with previous posters that I don't like what Boom brings to the table on the older songs. Most of the old songs that sound good with Boom are songs that already had keyboard/piano, and there are only a couple.
That said, there are a few songs that sound really cool with Boom... mostly the newer stuff. LBC and Inside Job are two that jump out right away. And as someone else mentioned, Crazy Mary is always excellent when Boom and Mike go back and forth. The version from Camden 2 '06 was excellent.
Ultimately, I wish there was a friendly way for the band to say "Listen, Boom. We like a lot of the stuff you do. But take a break every now and then, man. On the older stuff before you came in, let us do the playing unless the keys were already there." That way we keep him out of Alive and others, which just sounds horrid with him in there.
The reason Boom's not on "Backspacer" is not because the band is phasing him out, it's more to do with the fact that Brendon is an excellent player himself, and simply chose to play the parts himself and get whatever sound he wanted out of the band as oppossed to handing the duties over to someone else . He did this on the last Sprinsteen record and he's been known to handle the piano, organ, and keys on almost everything else he's recorded or produced.
I think that's an example of phasing him out. Not to get rid of him completely of course....but it definitely shows that he's not the sixth member of the band like he was portrayed as in 2003.
I don't think he has EVER been portrayed as anything other than Pearl Jam's keyboardist. I have never believed that he ever has been anything more. He has never been a full fledged band member. That is why he has never shown up in an official band photo.
The reason Boom's not on "Backspacer" is not because the band is phasing him out, it's more to do with the fact that Brendon is an excellent player himself, and simply chose to play the parts himself and get whatever sound he wanted out of the band as oppossed to handing the duties over to someone else . He did this on the last Sprinsteen record and he's been known to handle the piano, organ, and keys on almost everything else he's recorded or produced.
I think that's an example of phasing him out. Not to get rid of him completely of course....but it definitely shows that he's not the sixth member of the band like he was portrayed as in 2003.
I don't think he has EVER been portrayed as anything other than Pearl Jam's keyboardist. I have never believed that he ever has been anything more. He has never been a full fledged band member. That is why he has never shown up in an official band photo.
I know, I know, but "Pearl Jam's keyboardist" makes him sound like he's in the band. Like how Richard Wright was "Pink Floyd's keyboardist." And on the Live at the Garden DVD, it lists him alphabetically with the other band members. I'm just nit-picking though. it's not like it's a big deal. He's always listed as an addiontal musician on the albums and as you said, isn't in press photos.
But I think some people around here consider him a real member of the band....which they're entitled to if they want. But it's reminds me of how John Lennon and George Harrison wanted Billy Preston to become a full-fledged member of The Beatles during the Let It Be sessions. Paul took time out from singing "Get Back" to sing "Get Real"
He's not in any of the press photos, but he is in the Avocado album artwork though, which is weird.
Anyhow, I like Boom when he sticks to the songs that originally had keys LBC, Save You, most of Avocado. I don't really like him on Alive, Red Mosquito, In My Tree, etc.
I'm here to stick up for the B-man. I think Gaspar adds a tremendous amount of texture to the songs - I seem him as being to PJ what Nicky Hopkins was the to Stones - not a member of the band, but an invaluable part of the sound, nonetheless. I think Alive sounds way better with the organ - I listen to the recent live versions way more than I listen to the original record.
Comments
He adds color and expands the bands sound.
His contributions alone to the last record justified his place in Pearl Jam - "Marker In The Sand" and "Inside Job" come to mind-
Besides, "Love Boat Captain" would never have been written without him, and his organ parts to "Crazy Mary" have turned an already awesome song into an absolute hightlight live.
The reason Boom's not on "Backspacer" is not because the band is phasing him out, it's more to do with the fact that Brendon is an excellent player himself, and simply chose to play the parts himself and get whatever sound he wanted out of the band as oppossed to handing the duties over to someone else . He did this on the last Sprinsteen record and he's been known to handle the piano, organ, and keys on almost everything else he's recorded or produced.
I have no doubt that as the new songs unfold live, Boom will handle whatever keyboard, piano, and organ parts are required, and he shine like he always does.
I think the band is finding new and interesting ways of using Boom's talents and I think he'll become more and more prominent on future albums and tours.
It's not like he's Dizzy Reed
Awesome thread!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vciEDI3dD8I
put on a slow, dumb show for you
and crack you up
so you can put a blue ribbon on my brain
god I'm very, very frightening
and I'll overdo it'
I think that's an example of phasing him out. Not to get rid of him completely of course....but it definitely shows that he's not the sixth member of the band like he was portrayed as in 2003.
Pearl Jam bootlegs:
http://wegotshit.blogspot.com
Soldier 1: What are you doing? Why'd you let 'em go?
Soldier 2: What? It's just a bunch of vets, camping.
Soldier 1: Dude, that was a shaved Bigfoot and Steve Sommers in a wig...made out of shaved Bigfoot.
Keyboard?? Keyboard??!! There is no Keyboard in Grievance!
I know, I know, but "Pearl Jam's keyboardist" makes him sound like he's in the band. Like how Richard Wright was "Pink Floyd's keyboardist." And on the Live at the Garden DVD, it lists him alphabetically with the other band members. I'm just nit-picking though. it's not like it's a big deal. He's always listed as an addiontal musician on the albums and as you said, isn't in press photos.
But I think some people around here consider him a real member of the band....which they're entitled to if they want. But it's reminds me of how John Lennon and George Harrison wanted Billy Preston to become a full-fledged member of The Beatles during the Let It Be sessions. Paul took time out from singing "Get Back" to sing "Get Real"
Pearl Jam bootlegs:
http://wegotshit.blogspot.com
Boom fits to The Band. If Boys like him and want Him to be on tour - I respect Their choice.
halszka123@op.pl
gonzo
4/10/94, 9/28/96, 9/29/96, 4/30/03, 7/8/03, 7/9/03, 10/01/04, 9/15/05, 9/30/05, 10/01/05, 5/4/06, 6/1/06, 6/3/06, 6/19/08, 6/22/08, 6/24/08, 6/25/08, 6/27/08, 8/23/09, 8/24/09, 10/27/09, 10/28/09, 10/31/09, 5/17/10, 5/18/10, 5/20/10, 5/21/10, 9/3/11, 9/4/11, 10/15/13, 10/18/13, 10/19/13, 10/25/13, 9/26/15, 4/28/16, 4/29/16, 5/1/16, 5/2/16, 8/5/16, 8/7/16, 4/7/17, 8/8/18, 8/10/18, 9/10/22, 9/11/22
Anyhow, I like Boom when he sticks to the songs that originally had keys LBC, Save You, most of Avocado. I don't really like him on Alive, Red Mosquito, In My Tree, etc.
BOS-9/28/04,9/29/04,6/28/08,6/30/08, 9/5/16, 9/7/16, 9/2/18
MTL-9/15/05, OTT-9/16/05
PHL-5/27/06,5/28/06,10/30/09,10/31/09
CHI-8/2/07,8/5/07,8/23/09,8/24/09
HTFD-6/27/08
ATX-10/4/09, 10/12/14
KC-5/3/2010,STL-5/4/2010
Bridge School-10/23/2010,10/24/2010
PJ20-9/3/2011,9/4/2011
OKC-11/16/13
SEA-12/6/13
TUL-10/8/14