*** Pearl Jam Fresno, CA Fanviews 5/16/22 ***

edwho

A few shows, a few thoughts…

Three for me, not four (Sacramento :(). Matt and Jeff, their health is paramount so I understand. Out of the three I saw I don’t have a personal best. Each one was ultra-amazing for many different reasons.  

Oakland 1: Matt is sick and can’t perform (hope you feel better now Matt). Josh and Richard on drums. They bring an element of excitement and danger. Both totally up for the task. The band and crowd unite as one in spectacular fashion from the first song. Building - building, love-love-love - building-building-building, few dry eyes on this night. SOOO much fun! In the end no one wanted to leave. Reluctantly we finally leave but with a new favorite live song - Quick Escape!

Oakland 2: W.M.A.: ear sex, great ear sex! 29 fucking years of foreplay. 29 years tickling my balls. TAGGED 10 TIMES!! Never a full version. Enter Oakland 2 Pearl Jam with Josh and Richard. All the right players needed. I knew the song on the second drum beat. I have enjoyed W.M.A. since its release. The live splendor from Atlanta ’94. had me hunting for mine.  All those years and concerts hoping, hoping. Nope, Nada. Finally delivered in Oakland2022, dream come true. It was so wonderful. Simply stellar version. Much better than I could ever imagine. Makes you want to keep it for yourself. But I hope they share. Lastly, you can’t expect much from a rarely played early song. Sometimes they’re great, and sometimes not. At least you can cross it off. This one was completely satisfying. So fucking happy!    

Fresno: (#81) Third show now for Josh and Richard filling in for Matt. Josh opens and he’s a real pro. Complete game. Very impressive. 6th man award winner for sure. Landslide.

My ’91 dumbass overlooked Pearl Jam. So, never saw Dave Krusen live with the band. Missed many opportunities. Also skipped Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony. Missed another chance. But here we are in the raisin capital of the world with Mr. Krusen powering Pearl Jam the old school way. Seeing him play for the first time, I thought a gentleman drummer for sure. Tasty licks for all. Very Charlie Watts. Expertly plays only what’s needed, how its needed.

Richard follows. The cymbal crashing thunder god came to play. Quick Escape driven by his hammer stands out. Throw Your Hatred Down nailed. Purple Rain cover to close out the first set. New cover for me and a welcome one.

Dave Krusen back for set closer Porch. Shorter version than we are used to. More like album version. Quite satisfying. Audience on their feet the whole break clapping and screaming for more. Encore starts with Dave back on drums. Jeremey stood out for me. Incredible hearing maybe what it might have sounded like all those years ago. Really enjoyed the songs with Dave. Would like more someday.

Richard Stuverud closes out the show. A complement he easily earned in Oakland. He’s our closer tonight and he appears amped x 100. At the start of Baba O’Riley he was hitting the drums so hard and fast I was sure he was about to destroy everything in front of him. Thankfully everything held up and the song kicked ass. Yellow Ledbetter ended the night and gave him a chance to show another side of his playing abilities. Soft and sweet. Fantastic night. Big thank you to all involved in bring this show to Fresno.   

Big fun watching the local young hottie cowgirls turn old hippie heads.

The license plate is the best merch idea in a long time. Classic California colors and images. Tin not plastic. Keeper

I was super hungry after the show. Had me some raisins. All good. 

Ernie Vedder

Ledbetterman10

This is great to have an official Krusen boot. He plays every song from Ten here (minus Release/Oceans and plus SOLAT). And he sounded great. At one point Eddie said something like “Dave I’m impressed. You know all the endings and everything. Well hell, you invented this stuff!”

NEweather

Ledbetterman10 said:

This is great to have an official Krusen boot. He plays every song from Ten here (minus Release/Oceans and plus SOLAT). And he sounded great. At one point Eddie said something like “Dave I’m impressed. You know all the endings and everything. Well hell, you invented this stuff!”

        that was so cool

HughFreakingDillon

just used my free download code for this show. looking forward to diving in. 

TA243471

Just re-living this one this morning. Just awesome!!

Go Animal

🥁