Vedder and His Fans, Both Outspoken
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A great show here in DC.
Vedder and His Fans, Both Outspoken
Monday, August 18, 2008;
Eddie Vedder's first ever solo show in D.C., Saturday night at the Warner Theatre, afforded the Pearl Jam frontman a chance to turn down the volume and connect with his fans on a more personal and intimate level. Unfortunately, some rambunctious members of the sold-out crowd saw it as their best opportunity to communicate with Vedder. So they yelled.
A lot. Everything from random sports teams to every song in the Pearl Jam catalogue to more chants of "Edd-ie" than the entire 1983 Baltimore Orioles season.
"Take it easy on all the shouting. It's affecting my professional output," said a clearly annoyed but still good-natured Vedder about halfway through the 2 1/2 -hour show. Finally, the noisy folks piped down enough for everyone to enjoy a freewheeling, often captivating show in which Vedder cracked jokes, offered political thoughts and played more than two dozen songs ranging from the Pearl Jam catalogue to his "Into the Wild" soundtrack work and classic covers.
"Sometimes" was transformed from an introspective Pearl Jam ballad to a stomping solo electric rocker. (Literally -- Vedder pounded his boot on the stage for accompaniment.) "Rise," from "Into the Wild," featured Vedder on mandolin. One Beatles cover ("You've Got to Hide Your Love Away") proved that Vedder's booming baritone is still one of rock's most impressive instruments, while another ("Blackbird") showcased his ever-improving skills on acoustic guitar.
There was as much liberal political commentary as you would expect from the notoriously outspoken Vedder as he performed just a few blocks from the White House. "The opinion that art should have nothing to do with politics is in itself a political statement," he said, defending himself against those who think he should stick to the music. His pro-Obama, antiwar platform was mildly presented, but a snarling cover of Dylan's "Masters of War" ("And I'll stand over your grave till I'm sure that you're dead") that ended with a knocked-over microphone stand featuring an Bush mask impaled on top said it all.
-- David Malitz
Peace
Vedder and His Fans, Both Outspoken
Monday, August 18, 2008;
Eddie Vedder's first ever solo show in D.C., Saturday night at the Warner Theatre, afforded the Pearl Jam frontman a chance to turn down the volume and connect with his fans on a more personal and intimate level. Unfortunately, some rambunctious members of the sold-out crowd saw it as their best opportunity to communicate with Vedder. So they yelled.
A lot. Everything from random sports teams to every song in the Pearl Jam catalogue to more chants of "Edd-ie" than the entire 1983 Baltimore Orioles season.
"Take it easy on all the shouting. It's affecting my professional output," said a clearly annoyed but still good-natured Vedder about halfway through the 2 1/2 -hour show. Finally, the noisy folks piped down enough for everyone to enjoy a freewheeling, often captivating show in which Vedder cracked jokes, offered political thoughts and played more than two dozen songs ranging from the Pearl Jam catalogue to his "Into the Wild" soundtrack work and classic covers.
"Sometimes" was transformed from an introspective Pearl Jam ballad to a stomping solo electric rocker. (Literally -- Vedder pounded his boot on the stage for accompaniment.) "Rise," from "Into the Wild," featured Vedder on mandolin. One Beatles cover ("You've Got to Hide Your Love Away") proved that Vedder's booming baritone is still one of rock's most impressive instruments, while another ("Blackbird") showcased his ever-improving skills on acoustic guitar.
There was as much liberal political commentary as you would expect from the notoriously outspoken Vedder as he performed just a few blocks from the White House. "The opinion that art should have nothing to do with politics is in itself a political statement," he said, defending himself against those who think he should stick to the music. His pro-Obama, antiwar platform was mildly presented, but a snarling cover of Dylan's "Masters of War" ("And I'll stand over your grave till I'm sure that you're dead") that ended with a knocked-over microphone stand featuring an Bush mask impaled on top said it all.
-- David Malitz
Peace
*We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti
*MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
.....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti
*The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)
*MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
.....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti
*The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)
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Comments
http://seanbriceart.com/
i tend to give a lot of dirty looks when people get on my nerves at gigs. but at least u guys are getting ed solo shows...
I couldnt agree more...Newark got a little out of hand...but only a little..I hear the other shows were a lot worse
9/24/96 MD. 9/28/96 Randalls. 8/28-29/98 Camden. 9/8/98 NJ. 9/18/98 MD. 9/1-2/00 Camden. 9/4/00 MD. 4/28/03 Philly. 7/5-6/03 Camden. 9/30/05 AC.
10/3/05 Philly. 5/27-28/06 Camden. 6/23/06 Pitt. 6/19-20/08 Camden. 6/24/08 MSG. 8/7/08 EV Newark, NJ. 6/11-12/09 EV Philly, PA. 10/27-28-30-31/09 Philly, PA., 5/15/10 Hartford,5/17/10 Boston, 5/18/10 Newark, 5/20-21/10 MSG
I think that's part of the problem. Esp. since maybe the inappropriately yelling contingent of the audience doesn't know how to behave in nicer theatres like these. (IMO people either can't hold their liquor or they're drinking too much - there was drinking at things my parents took me to, but it didn't make people act all boorish and disturb the performance) You enjoy the performance and cheer and applaud enthusiastically at appropriate moments. Its probably a learning experience for everybody!
R.i.p. My Dad - May 28, 2007
R.i.p. Black Tail (cat) - Sept. 20, 2008
Peace
*MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
.....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti
*The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)
loud mouth assholes at every show i have ever been to always seem to be double fisting some Budweisers.
Maybe that'll change now that Anhueser Busch has been bought out by a foriegn beer company.
Peace
*MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
.....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti
*The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)