********Gorge Fanviews Nite One 7/22 Here********

So did anyone else catch this? I can't remember exactly when other than it was either before or after DF when Ed looked thru the crowd in the front and picked out one person and said "You'd taste great with fava beans and a nice Chianti." Then he took a big swig of wine.

I laughed my ass off when I heard that. I haven't downloaded the boot yet, so I don't know if the mic caught it or not.

Other questions/comments-

How many tambourines did Ed go thru? The roadies kept throwing new ones to him and he kept breaking them and tossing them to friends. I think I counted close to 16.

Also, my friends and I have a bet at how many total people were in attendance. I guessed about 20,000. My friends think it was closer to 40,000. Does anyone know?

Ten Club # 201xxx, 21st row in front of Mike on the left.

Uncharacteristically got there early, even convincing my friends (who had backstage passes no less) that we should get there at 4 even though it was going to be hot. The ten club line was maybe half an hour - felt so sorry for them because it was so obviously going to be a train wreck.

Favorite moment - Ed saying something like "I know it's been a long day, a hot day, but... but... but..." as he sinks lower and lower towards the stage, and then the explosion of Blood. I hope the boot matches my memory... (ETA no, it was Go).

The show felt very similar to last year in many ways, especially Crown of Thorns and Baba (my son turns to me while waiting for the second encore and says "wouldn't it be cool if they played Baba and *then* YL, they played them the other way around last year.")

It was fun to hear Dirty Frank, although I try hard not to listen to the lyrics. Yuck.

Tried to get drinks at the encore break - and they were closing the food stand - at 9pm. Just another bitch to throw onto the gorge staff, WTF was that about? The poor sobs who had to guard the lines and not let anyone else in, and who had no clue as to why. A nice lady gave me a cup so I could get water, at least.

Walking back, I jumped onto the seats of my row (A-32) since everyone was standing up and it was the only way back. It was dark, I took a step and immediately realized that I had just crunched someone's poster they had left on the seat behind them. I am truly sorry but didn't know what to do so kept walking. If I ruined your poster PM me and I'll pay you back.

On the drive home my son told me he wants to compile all that Eddie has said in concert, the "Gospel of Vedder". The "It's OK" tag was certainly moving, although it doesn't have the shear simplicity of last year's "Helloooo Tommm".

I have yet to see a bad PJ concert, but this one was incredibly memorable. I'm taking my family to meet a friend and his family in Dublin - can't wait for that.

tbigwhoop wrote:

how could i forget "Dirty Frank"? Amongst many other things, Ed went over to Mike while the song was ending, got down on his knees and rolled up Mike's pants and started to eat Mike's leg.

I NEED to see this desperately!

[
Right after the start of Yellow Ledbetter Matt (with Stone playing just to his left) started to mimic Stones drumming for the same song two nights previous in Portland, after Stone recognized what Matt was doing they just looked at each other and they both just started to bust up.

PJ stage time 2:50.

Aye Thank You PJ, edwho[/quote]

I noticed Matt & Stone laughing too, didnt know what it was about, very funny though.

I just wanted to add one more recollection from the show. I was amazed that even though the outside temperature was nearly 110, I still got chills now and then from the sheer awesomeness of it all.

Hey this is my first post. I just want to say that I was one of the "Locals" that Eddie dedicated "Small Town" to.

I grew up in Quincy, which is the biggest town to the Gorge, about 10 miles away. It's kind of a shit town, but we're getting Microsoft and Yahoo! data centers here and of course we have to Gorge in our back yard so it's not that bad.

In fact, I used to live in a farmhouse about three miles away from the Gorge.

I'm 35, the Gorge was being built in the mid 1980s. If you would have told me that one day I would see my favorite band play three miles from my home I would have told you you were nuts.

Seeing it happen not once but twice now is like Christmas, Easter and The Fourth of July all rolled into one.

I was at the Gorge last year and Missoula, MT in 1998 (Matt's first gig with the band BTW). Both of those shows were awesome and unforgetable, but this year's was just so special! Especially with the dedication of "Small Town."

And It's OK, which brought me to tears.

Pearl Jam has been like the soundtrack to my life.

I'm listening to the bootleg as we speak and I'm so happy.

Peace to all of you and yours.

hey Reaney Park!! I grew up in Wenatchee & used to go to the Gorge with my mom (I'm 31) back when it was the Chateau Ste Michele and still pretty much a natural amphitheater. I've seen at least 15 shows there over the years and felt a similar sentiment. Then getting to share this beautiful place with people from all over the world - and with Pearl Jam. It made me cry last year, but I managed to be a bit more stoic this year...

WallaWalla- I believe last year they had 22,000 because it oversold, so I think 20,000 is probably about right. I heard there were 4300 of us on the floor.

Anyway here are my pics from day one - when DH gets back from work I'll upload day 2

http://picasaweb.google.com/bosleydear

Cool, I really like Wenatchee. My serious girlfriend in high school was from E. Wenatchee. I spent a lot of time on Highway 28.

I've been to several concerts at the Gorge also, and frankly, I'm starting to feel a little old for most of them, but I don't think you can ever be too old for Pearl Jam.

I hope they're like the Stones and will still be touring when they're in their 60s.

it was hot...

but it was awesome!

This show was insane!

I'm still taking it all in!