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Condition of Ed's Voice...

JR8321JR8321 Posts: 48
edited May 2010 in Given To Fly (live)
So, I'm pumped to go to Columbus.

I'm wondering how Ed's voice has been holding up in more recent shows. The only real observation I could make was watching ACL, hardly a standard show. I thought he sounded pretty good, but not great.

Naturally, a singer's voice changes over time. I kinda feel like the voice was in it's prime from about 95 to 04 or so. Then I remember watching that live broadcast of Lollapalooza from Chicago (was that 07 or so?) and thinking
"Ed's voice is just getting kinda shredded these days....please, put down the American Spirits!_"

Am I just paranoid? I haven't heard any boots from the fall tour to know what to expect. Kinda glad I'm seeing them 3 or 4 shows in....warmed up but not burnt out yet (course, they always seem to give 100 percent but you know...as far as the voice goes, it takes a beating after 20 or 25 shows...)
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Comments

  • stickman81stickman81 Posts: 437
    I remember Eddie sounding great during the '98 tour....2003/05 tours were good too....And when they played in the Clark County Amph. last fall i thought he sounded as good as ever.
  • fdavidfdavid Indianapolis Posts: 76
    I saw them in 95 at Soldier Field, in 98 and 2000 in Noblesville, then 2006 Cinci 08 Tampa 09 Chicago and Ed solo in Nashiville...and his voice was at it's best in 98 and 06 - and at the solo show last year. You can youtube the 95 show (awesome that someone smuggled a video camera in 15 yrs ago) - I think he'd been partying. But I'd say he's simply improved with age. I can say this: after taking a 6 year break between shows I was stunned at the Cinci show. The live act had improved so much as a whole. I think Ed will be in top form for several more years, but eventually the voice will fade and the long-notes (rearviewmirrorrrrrrrrrrrrrr) won't be so long anymore. My advice is to catch as many shows now as you can.
    Soldier Field 95, Indy/Deer Creek 98, Indy/Deer Creek 2000, Cinci 2006, Tampa 2008, Columbus 2010, Indy 2010, Chicago United Center 2009, PJ20 Alpine Valley both, Chicago Wrigley 2013, Philly 2013 night 2, Charlotte 13, LA 1 '13, LA2 '13, Cinci '14, Denver '14, Tampa '16, Lexington '16, Chicago Wrigley Nite 1 2016
  • JR8321JR8321 Posts: 48
    stickman81 wrote:
    I remember Eddie sounding great during the '98 tour....2003/05 tours were good too....And when they played in the Clark County Amph. last fall i thought he sounded as good as ever.

    Well, I'm glad to hear that....
  • aroundth3bendaroundth3bend Posts: 61
    i had the same feelings before i saw pearl jam but let me say this: you will be so caught up in the atmosphere and the energy that you won't care about how they sound.
    a wave came crashing like a fist to the jaw. delivered him wings, 'hey look at me now!'
  • GrandmaGrandma Posts: 259
    I saw the 2 LA shows prior to ACL and 2 after; Ed was a bit hoarse for ACL and night 3 LA ( you can really hear it on the bootleg). By night 4 though he was back in full beautiful voice - and also in San Diego a few nights later.
    So I wouldn't worry based on ACL. Night 2 LA was a blow-the-roof-off night - maybe he strained his voice?
  • gndcd402gndcd402 Posts: 2,567
    I agree that he sounded best in 98 and 06 but since 2006 his voice has gone WAY downhill fast. 07 was tolerable and 08 and 09 were horrible...if you can't hear that then you are deaf. He DEFINITELY needs to quit smoking.
  • fdavidfdavid Indianapolis Posts: 76
    gndcd402 wrote:
    I agree that he sounded best in 98 and 06 but since 2006 his voice has gone WAY downhill fast. 07 was tolerable and 08 and 09 were horrible...if you can't hear that then you are deaf. He DEFINITELY needs to quit smoking.

    Yeah, dude...you're right. It's interesting, though: although his voice isn't consistently in top shape, it seems that for certain shows he's back. My takeaway is that with age comes the inability to simply show up and play - similar to a star athlete. Using the Seattle connection, I remember an interview years ago with Lou Pinella, who was Seattle's manager in Griffey, Jr's early years. He said he sat Griffey down to discuss his lack of training, lack of stretching with the rest of the team before games, etc. Griffey's reply was that he simply didn't need it, and Pinella said he was correct - for the time being. That although he didn't need it now, that it might catch up to him later. Well...Eddie is a rare talent. I'm sure he does alot more than we'll ever know to keep his voice in shape. But it appears he's still the same ol Ed, and he still enjoys a party now and then. And maybe if you were to take away the lifestyle you'd take away some of the passion and fire that still drives him. Just my take. So I'm happy to put up with some shows here and there where the voice isn't perfect due to Eddie's love of the road and hanging with his friends and his taste for red wine and cigarettes. To me it's all part of a fantastic package that's simply one of a kind. I was listening to the 2000 Mansfield boot yesterday and during the intro of a song Ed praises Sonic Youth for making it 20 years - and says maybe one day PJ will be so lucky to mark that anniversary. Well, here we are and the tour just kicked off and I can't freakin' wait to see my two shows. Like I said earlier, we should all be appreciative of this thing while it lasts. Hopefully they're still in top form for another 20 years, but I say just enjoy it while it's here...
    Soldier Field 95, Indy/Deer Creek 98, Indy/Deer Creek 2000, Cinci 2006, Tampa 2008, Columbus 2010, Indy 2010, Chicago United Center 2009, PJ20 Alpine Valley both, Chicago Wrigley 2013, Philly 2013 night 2, Charlotte 13, LA 1 '13, LA2 '13, Cinci '14, Denver '14, Tampa '16, Lexington '16, Chicago Wrigley Nite 1 2016
  • SmellymanSmellyman Asia Posts: 4,527
    this gets rehashed every year since 95', he's losing it, 96' he's losing it, 98', he's losing it, 2000, 2003 etc. etc.

    All I know I have seen them every tour since 93 and he still f'ing brings it. still the best live singer around imo.

    Saw them in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. He was so sick with the flu in Sydney and could barely talk, but still was very good. He sounded amazing in Melbourne and Brisbane.

    also, imo he is waaaaay more constant nowadays. In his youth he was up and down in shows because he REALLY worked it hard.

    Now he does less screaming and more singing which allows him that consistency.

    and as a man going on 38 I can appreciate him doing that at 45!
  • 12345AGNST112345AGNST1 Posts: 4,906
    Honestly I think his voice in 06 was the best. But that's probably just because I really got into PJ in 06. I prefer the softer raspier Ed over the growly totally over the top 90's Ed.

    But there was a version of spin the black circle from 09 that TOTALLY sounded like classic Ed.

    Basically there's some songs that ED can still touch with ease and there's some that he can't.
    5/28/06, 6/27/08, 10/28/09, 5/18/10, 5/21/10
    8/7/08, 6/9/09
  • pdalowskypdalowsky Doncaster,UK Posts: 15,100
    gndcd402 wrote:
    I agree that he sounded best in 98 and 06 but since 2006 his voice has gone WAY downhill fast. 07 was tolerable and 08 and 09 were horrible...if you can't hear that then you are deaf. He DEFINITELY needs to quit smoking.

    wow, this is total horse shit.
  • fisttothejawfisttothejaw Posts: 234
    gndcd402 wrote:
    I agree that he sounded best in 98 and 06 but since 2006 his voice has gone WAY downhill fast. 07 was tolerable and 08 and 09 were horrible...if you can't hear that then you are deaf. He DEFINITELY needs to quit smoking.


    Yeah, I'm going to have to disagree with you here - and I'm not deaf...

    His voice has taken on a more consistent "rasp" at times, but in terms of his pitch, control, and stamina, Ed is still pretty damn consistent. Saw them 2x on the 06 tour, and 2x here in L.A. in fall of 09, as well as hearing a zillion bootlegs, watching youtube clips, etc. Sure, there are nights like ACL when you can totally hear some wear and tear - but those nights are the exception rather than the rule -

    Would I like for him to quit smoking? sure. For his voice, and for his health - but I sat there at the Who VH1 Rock Honors show and watched him absolutely KILL those 2 Who songs, and I had zero complaints or questions about hsi voice - nor did I when I heard him rip out the "gems and rhinestones" line back in October at Gibson...

    Sure, he's mortal, but if you'd call what you heard in 80 and 09 "horrible," then I can't go there with you...
    San Diego 10/25/00
    Irvine 6/03/03
    Los Angeles 7/9/06
    Los Angeles 7/10/06
    Los Angeles 7/12/08 (VH1 Rock Honors the Who)
    Los Angeles 10/01/09
    Los Angeles 4/12/08 (EV solo)
    Los Angeles 10/06/09
    MSG 5/20/10
    San Diego 7/5/11 (EV solo)
    Los Angeles 11/23/13
    Los Angeles 11/24/13
    Sao Paulo, Brazil 11/14/15
    Ohana Encore 10/01/21
    San Diego 5/03/22
    Los Angeles 5/21/24
    Los Angeles 5/22/24
  • pdalowskypdalowsky Doncaster,UK Posts: 15,100
    It's the way the comment was made that irritates me, there is no attempt to justify the statement, no grounds given to this very strange verdict, and if anyone doesn't agree they are deaf. posting this on a pearl jam forum where fans come to talk about their idols is a flagrant attempt to gain attention and cause a stir.

    Seems to me the poster cannot have attended any 2009 shows to come out with just a damning statement. Eddies voice? Horrible and tolerable? Wow. Go check out love reign over me at wembley ..... Then tell me you still think this.


    fisttothejaw wrote:
    gndcd402 wrote:
    I agree that he sounded best in 98 and 06 but since 2006 his voice has gone WAY downhill fast. 07 was tolerable and 08 and 09 were horrible...if you can't hear that then you are deaf. He DEFINITELY needs to quit smoking.


    Yeah, I'm going to have to disagree with you here - and I'm not deaf...

    His voice has taken on a more consistent "rasp" at times, but in terms of his pitch, control, and stamina, Ed is still pretty damn consistent. Saw them 2x on the 06 tour, and 2x here in L.A. in fall of 09, as well as hearing a zillion bootlegs, watching youtube clips, etc. Sure, there are nights like ACL when you can totally hear some wear and tear - but those nights are the exception rather than the rule -

    Would I like for him to quit smoking? sure. For his voice, and for his health - but I sat there at the Who VH1 Rock Honors show and watched him absolutely KILL those 2 Who songs, and I had zero complaints or questions about hsi voice - nor did I when I heard him rip out the "gems and rhinestones" line back in October at Gibson...

    Sure, he's mortal, but if you'd call what you heard in 80 and 09 "horrible," then I can't go there with you...
  • SpinTheBlackCircle74SpinTheBlackCircle74 Posts: 1,394
    I saw PJ in 1993, 2000, 2006, 2007 and 2009 and I think he sounds better than ever. Hope he will tour Europe solo when Matt will tour with Soundgarden later this year.
    Rock Werchter 4 july - 2010, Arras 3 july - 2010, Berlin Wuhlheide - June 30, 2010, Odyssey arena Belfast - 23 june 2010, O2 arena Dublin - june 22 2010, O2 arena London - Aug 18, 2009, Manchester Evening News Arena - Aug 17, 2009, Berlin Wuhlheide - Aug 15, 2009, Copenhagen 2007-06-26 Forum, London 2007-06-18 Wembley Arena, Prague 2006-09-22 Sazka Arena, Denmark 2000-06-30 Roskilde Festival, Stockholm on August 12th Mirrorball tour with Neil Young, Oslo 1993-06-27 Isle of Calf Festival(Kalvoya), Oslo Secret Club Concert 1993-06-26 Sentrum Scene
  • dimitrispearljamdimitrispearljam Posts: 139,721
    ed voice sucks in the forum before tour and its great on the shows...
    he needs to stop drinking-smoking before tour and im happy he share his wine-i got his lighter on the shows.
    whooo-hooo.!!
    "...Dimitri...He talks to me...'.."The Ghost of Greece..".
    "..That's One Happy Fuckin Ghost.."
    “..That came up on the Pillow Case...This is for the Greek, With Our Apologies.....”
  • givenfliersgivenfliers Posts: 144
    his voice is fine sometimes the boots dont sound nearly as good as if u r thereyea some notes he cant hit anymore but he has adjusted he singin style to make up for it he is fine ive seen them at least 2 or 3 times everytme they tour since 93 so thats my opinion though
  • PushinPaintPushinPaint Posts: 434
    I am in the club that think his voice has deteriorated a bit in the past few years.. I listen to PJ constantly and saw them for the first time in 2008 (Columbia). That show was amazing, but there were a few songs where you could tell he was having a few problems. Listening to all of the boots, there are some songs that are just tougher, and here are some I have noticed:

    Given to Fly (chorus - doesn't hold the notes as long. What I noticed is SAAAAVVVVVEEEEED in the chrous)
    State of Love and Trust (just seems lazy to me)
    RearviewMirror
    Betterman (doesn't hold notes as long)
    Small Town (just doesn't seem as crisp)

    Now to say he doesn't hold his notes as long doesn't mean the songs don't sound good - They do. Sometimes it's just not as impressive. I think his ability to extend notes and keep pace with the songs is becoming more difficult, as if sometimes he is out of breath. SOLAT and RVM are two songs I skip live on the boots because they seem lazy and don't pack the punch they do on studio (note, these are two powerful songs that sound amazing on each studio album that was recorded almost 20 years ago). I love the way Ed sounds and he continues to blow me away, but sometimes I think it is clear he is short on breath. I attribute this mainly to smoking and partly because of age. Also, his tone has changed over time - his voice singing the same songs just has a different sound - but still sounds awesome. In summary, I think Ed still sounds great but not as great as '00-'06.

    Sorry for the long post
  • gndcd402gndcd402 Posts: 2,567
    pdalowsky wrote:
    gndcd402 wrote:
    I agree that he sounded best in 98 and 06 but since 2006 his voice has gone WAY downhill fast. 07 was tolerable and 08 and 09 were horrible...if you can't hear that then you are deaf. He DEFINITELY needs to quit smoking.

    wow, this is total horse shit.
    my apologies for being a realistic fan...ten club is the best, eddie sounds better than he ever has, and pj is the best live band out there today
    kool_aid_man_glass.jpg
  • ilockyerilockyer Posts: 2,271
    SpinTheBlackCircle74 wrote:
    I saw PJ in 1993, 2000, 2006, 2007 and 2009 and I think he sounds better than ever. Hope he will tour Europe solo as support when Matt will tour with Soundgarden later this year.

    Corrected for you :D
    The secret to a happy ending is knowing when to roll the credits
  • AV68708AV68708 Posts: 15
    You guys are cracking me up. He will have nights when he is on, and nights when he is off a little. Shitload of tunes, lots of growl, catching a little bug, having a great buzz, putting on a show, etc... You want perfect vocals, take your cd player into your shower. Drop the leash, get out of his ......
  • AV68708AV68708 Posts: 15
    :D
  • pdalowskypdalowsky Doncaster,UK Posts: 15,100
    gndcd402 wrote:
    pdalowsky wrote:
    gndcd402 wrote:
    I agree that he sounded best in 98 and 06 but since 2006 his voice has gone WAY downhill fast. 07 was tolerable and 08 and 09 were horrible...if you can't hear that then you are deaf. He DEFINITELY needs to quit smoking.

    wow, this is total horse shit.
    my apologies for being a realistic fan...ten club is the best, eddie sounds better than he ever has, and pj is the best live band out there today
    kool_aid_man_glass.jpg


    You see your taking the piss there and I actually do think they are the finest live band on the planet. Eddie sounds great and really tenclub doesn't do us any wrong ...

    Different strokes I guess.

    But saying eddie sounds horrible makes you sound like a moron
  • dimitrispearljamdimitrispearljam Posts: 139,721
    pdalowsky wrote:
    You see your taking the piss there and I actually do think they are the finest live band on the planet. Eddie sounds great and really tenclub doesn't do us any wrong ...
    i like the way u think :)
    "...Dimitri...He talks to me...'.."The Ghost of Greece..".
    "..That's One Happy Fuckin Ghost.."
    “..That came up on the Pillow Case...This is for the Greek, With Our Apologies.....”
  • Vedder_Girl77Vedder_Girl77 Posts: 4,335
    I heard Ed sing live 7 times last year and his voice sounded awesome to me!!
    8/29/00, 7/3/03, 5/24/06,6/28/08 & 6/30/08, 10/9/09,10/28/09, 10/30/09 & 10/31/09, 5/15/10, 5/17/10, 5/18/10, 5/20/10 & 5/21/10, 10/23/10 & 10/24/10, 9/3/11, 9/4/11, 9/11/11, 9/12/11, 9/23/11, 9/22/12, 9/30/12, 7/16/13, 7/19/13
  • iron_lioniron_lion Posts: 16
    I took singing lessons for 1 year and my teacher always warned me: alcohol dehydrates so your vocal cords suffer more if you drink...kinda makes sense...
    If you listen to youtube and compare to the recording, Backspacer songs are tuned a half step down in the live shows...Ed's 45 but he could give much more years of singing if he takes care of his voice...for what i'm concerned he doesn't have to prove anything else XD, but that's his decision, he and the band have given a lot
    BTW Berlin 2010 is going to be my first show, and i'm not giving a f**** 'bout nothing hehe
    Cheers Eddie
    Glorified Geek
  • starmap3333starmap3333 Posts: 3,925
    he sounds amazing.
  • justamjustam Posts: 21,412
    His voice has changed, but I still love listening to it!! xoxoxox
    &&&&&&&&&&&&&&
  • Brisk.Brisk. Posts: 11,567
    iron_lion wrote:
    I took singing lessons for 1 year and my teacher always warned me: alcohol dehydrates so your vocal cords suffer more if you drink...kinda makes sense...
    If you listen to youtube and compare to the recording, Backspacer songs are tuned a half step down in the live shows...Ed's 45 but he could give much more years of singing if he takes care of his voice...for what i'm concerned he doesn't have to prove anything else XD, but that's his decision, he and the band have given a lot
    BTW Berlin 2010 is going to be my first show, and i'm not giving a f**** 'bout nothing hehe
    Cheers Eddie

    this is interesting stuff man, what about ALL the other songs live?
  • LeatherMosquitoManLeatherMosquitoMan Posts: 4,034
    You need to listen to shows from the fall tour. I saw 5 of them, 4 x LA and SD, and they were incredible.
    -Chris
    Male, 34

    I'm on Facebook - facebook.com/christopher.leesye1

    1998 Brisbane 2
    2003 Brisbane 1
    2006 LA 1 & 2
    2008 LA 2, San Diego 1 (EV)
    2009 LA 1, 2, 3 & 4, San Diego
    2011 St. Louis (EV)
    2012 Tulsa 1 & 2 (EV)
    2013 Chicago, Dallas & OKC
  • JordyWordyJordyWordy Posts: 2,261
    gndcd402 wrote:
    I agree that he sounded best in 98 and 06 but since 2006 his voice has gone WAY downhill fast. 07 was tolerable and 08 and 09 were horrible...if you can't hear that then you are deaf. He DEFINITELY needs to quit smoking.

    Horrible is an extreme description, but overall i agree his voice isnt what it was in 2006.

    In 2007 his voice wavered from show to show....Dusseldorf 07 he sang like a man possessed, made Yield songs sound the exact same as 98.....but then at Werchter & Hurricane he was weak as shit.

    In 2009 i thought he sounded perfect, a little tired on the last few songs of shows, but his voice was strong, and when he sings notes perfectly in a live setting it doesnt matter if his voice is slightly weaker anyway.
  • rival.rival. Chicago Posts: 7,775
    horrible? no. inconsistent? yes.

    maybe reason #1 why they have these short tours? try and preserve his voice the best they can.
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