Article - "Hey, Pearl Jam! Have we got a set list for you"
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Hey, Pearl Jam! Have we got a set list for you
By Bob Gendron, SPECIAL TO THE TRIBUNE
21 August 2009
Chicago Tribune
TRIB
Chicagoland Final
15
Never a group to jump on the bandwagon, Pearl Jam remains one of the few legacy artists to resist the urge to play an album onstage in its entirety. Continually varied, the group's concerts retain an element of surprise often missing from stadium acts. Not that some Pearl Jam songs ("Yellow Ledbetter," "Even Flow") shouldn't be put on moratorium. Keeping the band's back catalog in mind, here are a dozen deep cuts that the quintet would be wise to perform at its upcoming two-night stand. If past local appearances are any indication, these shows shouldn't be missed.
"Leavin' Here"
Successors of The Who's maximum R&B, Pearl Jam's members master the group's material as if they own it.
"Blood"
A chance for the rhythm section to loosen up and vocalist Eddie Vedder to clear cobwebs from his throat, "Blood" is a feverish screed that doubles as effective anger-release therapy.
"Black"
Soulful and forlorn, the yearning lament remains a standout from the group's gazillion-selling debut -- as well as one of the most emotional songs the ensemble ever recorded.
"Sad"
A thematic cousin to "Black," and nearly as poignant. The outtake addresses loss via raga motifs, pop choruses, atmospheric effects and Vedder's haunted murmurs.
"Spin the Black Circle"
Given vinyl's resurgence, it seems natural for Pearl Jam to dust off the fast-paced homage to the joys of hearing LPs on a turntable.
"State of Love and Trust"
Included on the "Singles" soundtrack.
"Off He Goes"
An acoustic rambler rippled with bluesy fills and folk accents.
"Nothing As It Seems"
A mellow, psychedelically laced rumination that wouldn't sound out of place on a mid-period Pink Floyd album. Ideal for creating a calming effect in testosterone-filled hockey arenas.
"I Am Mine"
"Riot Act" doesn't hold up to most of the group's records. But it spawned this melodic chantey.
"Fortunate Son"
Pearl Jam's reading of Creedence Clearwater Revival's anthem about socioeconomic privilege rivals the original.
"Don't Go to BP Amoco"
A protest against the oil giant's dumping of pollutants into Lake Michigan. If the Seattle quintet is really serious about its stance, the band needs to resurrect the one-off ditty here.
"Life Wasted"
A highlight of 2006's self-titled comeback.
- - -
Pearl Jam
Rocking in the free world
When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday (sold out) and Monday
Where: United Center, 1901 W. Madison St.
Price: $66; 800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com
- - -
Pearl Jam's Chicago past
March 28, 1992: Billy Corgan and D'Arcy Wretzky of Smashing Pumpkins join Pearl Jam onstage at Metro for a rendition of the Chicago quartet's "Window Paine."
Aug. 2, 1992: Despite a disadvantageous early-afternoon slot, the band nearly steals the show at the second Lollapalooza, with a visceral set that justifies its breakthrough into the mainstream.
March 13, 1994: Pearl Jam becomes one of the few rock bands to ever play the South Side's Regal Theater. Vedder scales a balcony before leaping into the outstretched arms of fans below.
July 11, 1995: The group delivers a legendary performance at a sold-out Soldier Field that almost didn't happen. Stressed from trying to evade Ticketmaster, the band initially cancels before changing its mind two days later.
Aug. 5, 2007: Stars align for Pearl Jam's lone U.S. date in 2007: an unopposed Lollapalooza headlining gig in Grant Park. Fireworks randomly erupt in the midst of the concert, which makes national news when AT&T censors a Web cast because of Vedder's criticism of President George W. Bush.
-- B.G.
Hey, Pearl Jam! Have we got a set list for you
By Bob Gendron, SPECIAL TO THE TRIBUNE
21 August 2009
Chicago Tribune
TRIB
Chicagoland Final
15
Never a group to jump on the bandwagon, Pearl Jam remains one of the few legacy artists to resist the urge to play an album onstage in its entirety. Continually varied, the group's concerts retain an element of surprise often missing from stadium acts. Not that some Pearl Jam songs ("Yellow Ledbetter," "Even Flow") shouldn't be put on moratorium. Keeping the band's back catalog in mind, here are a dozen deep cuts that the quintet would be wise to perform at its upcoming two-night stand. If past local appearances are any indication, these shows shouldn't be missed.
"Leavin' Here"
Successors of The Who's maximum R&B, Pearl Jam's members master the group's material as if they own it.
"Blood"
A chance for the rhythm section to loosen up and vocalist Eddie Vedder to clear cobwebs from his throat, "Blood" is a feverish screed that doubles as effective anger-release therapy.
"Black"
Soulful and forlorn, the yearning lament remains a standout from the group's gazillion-selling debut -- as well as one of the most emotional songs the ensemble ever recorded.
"Sad"
A thematic cousin to "Black," and nearly as poignant. The outtake addresses loss via raga motifs, pop choruses, atmospheric effects and Vedder's haunted murmurs.
"Spin the Black Circle"
Given vinyl's resurgence, it seems natural for Pearl Jam to dust off the fast-paced homage to the joys of hearing LPs on a turntable.
"State of Love and Trust"
Included on the "Singles" soundtrack.
"Off He Goes"
An acoustic rambler rippled with bluesy fills and folk accents.
"Nothing As It Seems"
A mellow, psychedelically laced rumination that wouldn't sound out of place on a mid-period Pink Floyd album. Ideal for creating a calming effect in testosterone-filled hockey arenas.
"I Am Mine"
"Riot Act" doesn't hold up to most of the group's records. But it spawned this melodic chantey.
"Fortunate Son"
Pearl Jam's reading of Creedence Clearwater Revival's anthem about socioeconomic privilege rivals the original.
"Don't Go to BP Amoco"
A protest against the oil giant's dumping of pollutants into Lake Michigan. If the Seattle quintet is really serious about its stance, the band needs to resurrect the one-off ditty here.
"Life Wasted"
A highlight of 2006's self-titled comeback.
- - -
Pearl Jam
Rocking in the free world
When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday (sold out) and Monday
Where: United Center, 1901 W. Madison St.
Price: $66; 800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com
- - -
Pearl Jam's Chicago past
March 28, 1992: Billy Corgan and D'Arcy Wretzky of Smashing Pumpkins join Pearl Jam onstage at Metro for a rendition of the Chicago quartet's "Window Paine."
Aug. 2, 1992: Despite a disadvantageous early-afternoon slot, the band nearly steals the show at the second Lollapalooza, with a visceral set that justifies its breakthrough into the mainstream.
March 13, 1994: Pearl Jam becomes one of the few rock bands to ever play the South Side's Regal Theater. Vedder scales a balcony before leaping into the outstretched arms of fans below.
July 11, 1995: The group delivers a legendary performance at a sold-out Soldier Field that almost didn't happen. Stressed from trying to evade Ticketmaster, the band initially cancels before changing its mind two days later.
Aug. 5, 2007: Stars align for Pearl Jam's lone U.S. date in 2007: an unopposed Lollapalooza headlining gig in Grant Park. Fireworks randomly erupt in the midst of the concert, which makes national news when AT&T censors a Web cast because of Vedder's criticism of President George W. Bush.
-- B.G.
Up here so high I start to shake, Up here so high the sky I scrape, I've no fear but for falling down, So look out below I am falling now, Falling down,...not staying down, Could’ve held me up, rather tear me down, Drown in the river
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