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Mike greatest he's ever been

benlw86benlw86 Posts: 86
in The Porch
This may be an obvious point, but for a band in their 60s, is it fair to say that Mike literally gets better, and better, and better. It's impossible for a vocalist to be *as* good as their peak, and Eddie's voice has been killing it this year, but obviously we know he doesn't reach the heights he used to. But Mike, for every classic, his soloing is fucking insane and it gets better with every tour. Watching the 90s vids, he has improved so much.
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Comments

  • MikeDigsMikeDigs Santa Monica, CA Posts: 1,663
    edited July 5
    Hey, I felt the same way when I heard Dark Matter!!  The solos on this album are top notch, and I especially love the style in which he enters the song to begin the solo.  It's like Mike has evolved into a higher form of being.  This thought has been confirmed when I saw him live on the Dark Matter tour.  This is Mike in top form.  A guitar wizard.  Mega McCready.  :rock_on:
    I'm spinning, oh-oh-oh I'm spinning
  • benlw86benlw86 Posts: 86
    edited July 5
    ps. I will make a Clapton comparison. Sir Eric was most lauded for the Yardbirds and Cream, maybe Derek and the Dominoes, but Erics peak was ~1994, in a time of tragedy, and a return to the blues. Clapton's playing on "Five Long Years" in the mid 90s might be the greatest blues soloing of all time (Buddy Guy agrees with me). So in "elder statesmen smashes his older self" theme, I think the 2020s is Mikes peak.
  • mr bunglemr bungle Posts: 1,358
    edited July 5
    Yeah, it feels like every show review from the last 10-15 years includes the line " Mike was on fire tonight"!  doesn't matter what the surrounding circumstances are, "Mike was on fire"

    It's a given at this point!  Mccready is going to kill every night no matter what is happening!
  • ZodZod Posts: 10,658
    Technically the Majority of the band is at the very end of their 50's, but I think that's splitting hairs.  Mike was amazing at the Vancouver shows.  I don't even think he missed a note when he took the fall, he was amazing.
  • PJammer4lifePJammer4life Los Angeles Posts: 2,650
    Mike is the one member I consistently think every time I see him play live on tour  “Wow, I forgot how amazing he plays!!”
    Bridge Benefit 1994, San Francisco 1995, San Diego 1995 1 & 2, Missoula 1998, Los Angeles 2000, San Diego 2000, Eddie Vedder/Beck 2/26/2002, Santa Barbara 2003, Irvine 2003, San Diego 2003, Vancouver 2005, Gorge 2005, San Diego 2006, Los Angeles 2006 1 & 2, Santa Barbara 2006, Eddie Vedder 4/10/08, Eddie Vedder 4/12/08, Eddie Vedder 4/15/08, 7/12/2008, SF 8/28/09, LA 9/30/09, LA 10/1/09, LA 10/06/09, LA 10/07/09, San Diego 10/09/09, Eddie Vedder 7/6/2011, Eddie Vedder 7/8/2011, PJ20 9/3/2011, PJ20 9/4/2011, Vancouver 9/25/2011, San Diego 11/21/13, LA 11/24/13, Ohana 9/25/21, Ohana 9/26/21, Ohana 10/1/21, EV 2/17/22, LA Forum 5/6/22, LA Forum 5/7/22, EV 10/1/22, EV 9/30/23
  • benlw86benlw86 Posts: 86
    MikeDigs said:
    Hey, I felt the same way when I heard Dark Matter!!  The solos on this album are top notch, and I especially love the style in which he enters the song to begin the solo.  It's like Mike has evolved into a higher form of being.  This thought has been confirmed when I saw him live on the Dark Matter tour.  This is Mike in top form.  A guitar wizard.  Mega McCready.  :rock_on:

    What's your favorite Mike moment on DM? For me, the explosion on React, Respond. That's about 20s of sheer enjoyment. 
  • cblock4lifecblock4life Posts: 1,747
    Zod said:
    Technically the Majority of the band is at the very end of their 50's, but I think that's splitting hairs.  Mike was amazing at the Vancouver shows.  I don't even think he missed a note when he took the fall, he was amazing.
    Technically, two over 60, 2 under, and one only six months away so yes it’s split right in the middle!  
  • deb1211deb1211 Posts: 1,681
    I have had the good fortune to sit on Mike's side by stage section the last 5 shows and I am blown away every time. That man is a beast.


  • vedpunkvedpunk Posts: 919
    edited July 6
    Looooove this thread.  Mike is absolutely killing it right now.  When I brought 5 casual fans to the Austin shows last year, ALL of them couldn't stop talking about Mike, saying how underrated he was is in the rock world, how he was easily the MVP of the band.  They couldn't believe how good he was and these were big fans of Van Halen, Guns N Roses and other lead guitar heavy bands.  I couldn't agree more 💯 .  Mike is carrying the band and their live show at this point.  We are all very fortunate he is still rocking out more than ever!
    Post edited by vedpunk on
  • YAKIMATSUYAKIMATSU Santa Fe Posts: 919
    Mike always delivers an amazing standout performance.  He is the constant standout.  Everybody has a great show, but Mike gives us a phenomenal performance every damn night.
    Soldier Field 7-11-95, Alpine Valley 6-26-98, United Center 6-29-98, Riverport Amphitheater (St. Louis)7-2-98, MGM Grand Arena 10-22-00, Sprint Center (Kansas City)5-3-10, Adams Event Center (Missoula)9-30-12, Wrigley Field 7-19-13, Jobing.com Arena (Phoenix)11-19-13, Moda Center (Portland)11-29-13, Spokane Arena 11-30-13, Pepsi Center (Denver)10-22-14, Gila River Arena (Phoenix)5-9-22, Moody Center (Austin)9-18-23, Moody Center 9-19-23, Rogers Arena (Vancouver)5-4-24, Rogers Arena 5-6-24, MGM Grand 5-16-24, MGM Grand 5-18-24, Wrigley Field 8-29-24, Wrigley Field 8-31-24
  • ZodZod Posts: 10,658
    cblock4life said:
    Zod said:
    Technically the Majority of the band is at the very end of their 50's, but I think that's splitting hairs.  Mike was amazing at the Vancouver shows.  I don't even think he missed a note when he took the fall, he was amazing.
    Technically, two over 60, 2 under, and one only six months away so yes it’s split right in the middle!  

    well no the one under is still 6 months under, so that's 3 under 60 and 2 over 60.  Everything I said was completely true :)
  • lastexitlondonlastexitlondon Posts: 14,140
    He is amazing every song every show
    brixton 93
    astoria 06
    albany 06
    hartford 06
    reading 06
    barcelona 06
    paris 06
    wembley 07
    dusseldorf 07
    nijmegen 07

    this song is meant to be called i got shit,itshould be called i got shit tickets-hartford 06 -
  • seanclaxseanclax Posts: 561
    lastexitlondon said:
    He is amazing every song every show
    We must of been stood next to each other in Manchester.
    When Mike was on the floor did you see the security guy go to grab him only for the huge pj security guy to pull him back and give him a stern talking to lol 
  • lastexitlondonlastexitlondon Posts: 14,140
    I was in front of Jeff so missed that
    brixton 93
    astoria 06
    albany 06
    hartford 06
    reading 06
    barcelona 06
    paris 06
    wembley 07
    dusseldorf 07
    nijmegen 07

    this song is meant to be called i got shit,itshould be called i got shit tickets-hartford 06 -
  • cblock4lifecblock4life Posts: 1,747
    edited July 6
    Nm
    Post edited by cblock4life on
  • HailHailVitalogyHailHailVitalogy Posts: 5,344
    I think this way with Stone too.
    2003: Uniondale, MSG x2 | 2004: Reading | 2005: Gorge, Vancouver, Philly | 2006: East Rutherford x2, Gorge x2, Camden 1, Hartford | 2008: MSG x2, VA Beach | 2009: Philly x3 | 2010: MSG x2, Bristow | 2011: Alpine Valley x2 | 2012: MIA Philly | 2013: Wrigley, Charlottesville, Brooklyn 2 | 2014: Milan, Amsterdam 1 | 2016: MSG x2, Fenway x2, Wrigley 2 | 2018: Rome, Krakow, Berlin, Wrigley 2 | 2021: Sea Hear Now | 2022: San Diego, LA x2, MSG, Camden, Nashville, St. Louis, Denver | 2023: St. Paul 1, Chicago x2, Fort Worth x2, Austin 2 | 2024: Las Vegas 1, Seattle x2, Indy, MSG x2, Philly x2, Baltimore, Ohana 2
  • mcgruff10mcgruff10 New Jersey Posts: 28,616
    I feel like Mike wants to play the most out of the whole band and seems to enjoy himself the most while on stage.  He's just so much fun to watch while he is playing.  
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
  • deb1211deb1211 Posts: 1,681




  • MikeDigsMikeDigs Santa Monica, CA Posts: 1,663
    edited July 6
    benlw86 said:
    MikeDigs said:
    Hey, I felt the same way when I heard Dark Matter!!  The solos on this album are top notch, and I especially love the style in which he enters the song to begin the solo.  It's like Mike has evolved into a higher form of being.  This thought has been confirmed when I saw him live on the Dark Matter tour.  This is Mike in top form.  A guitar wizard.  Mega McCready.  :rock_on:
    What's your favorite Mike moment on DM? For me, the explosion on React, Respond. That's about 20s of sheer enjoyment. 
    This is exactly my #1 moment, and React / Respond is my favorite song on album since first listen.  I describe my top moments in this post, as you can see, I have alot of love for Mike's playing on this album.  Stone and Jeff as well.  The guitar tones are magnificent.

    Waiting For Stevie has my #2 solo, and for #3 I think I have to go with Dark Matter.   Love how he enters on that song :rock_on:

    As for the live shows, Even Flow...  simply wow.  Shred City.  And the coolest part... the Even Flow solos were different for each LA night performance.   Mike went pure guitar wizard for the live Even Flow performance and it was fucking epic!
    Post edited by MikeDigs on
    I'm spinning, oh-oh-oh I'm spinning
  • deb1211deb1211 Posts: 1,681



  • mr bunglemr bungle Posts: 1,358
    mcgruff10 said:
    I feel like Mike wants to play the most out of the whole band and seems to enjoy himself the most while on stage.  He's just so much fun to watch while he is playing.  
    HE IS THE "ROCK STAR" OF THE BAND!!   

    And I totally appreciate that he embraces it and goes for it... He adds so much to the show!
  • BlueLedbetterBlueLedbetter Posts: 1,334
    He was incredible in Manchester carried the show never seen him so good 
  • reedrothchildreedrothchild Posts: 579
    Love Mike- love that man.  But his prime for me was 94-2000.  Listen to pretty much any Black from 98 or those Europe 96 porches for Mike on another level.  
    "What can you expect when you're on top? You know? It's like Napoleon. When he was the king, you know, people were just constantly trying to conquer him, you know, in the Roman Empire. So, it's history repeating itself all over again."
  • pdalowskypdalowsky Doncaster,UK Posts: 15,080
    Mike is on fire right now. Staggeringly good
  • LoujoeLoujoe Posts: 9,809
    He is the best the last time I saw him every time
  • Abe FromanAbe Froman Posts: 5,296
    I argue with anybody he is one of the greatest of all time. Love me some McCready!
  • Niko80Niko80 Posts: 1,608
    Mike is the unsung hero of this band. The Mad Season stuff is also fantastic. 
    I will swallow poison
  • LiftedLifted Posts: 1,836
    reedrothchild said:
    Love Mike- love that man.  But his prime for me was 94-2000.  Listen to pretty much any Black from 98 or those Europe 96 porches for Mike on another level.  
    I think Mike would disagree with you. I have to side with the majority on this one, he has never played better than he is right now.
  • demetriosdemetrios Posts: 93,223
    pdalowsky said:
    Mike is on fire right now. Staggeringly good

    Indeed. 
  • benlw86benlw86 Posts: 86
    Even album wise too, sure he was perhaps more 'encouraged' to let rip on this one...but Scared of Fear, React Respond, DM, Upper Hand, Waiting for Stevie!
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