*** Los Angeles I Fanviews 7/9 Here ***

Nice article. Interesting comparisons.

Live Review: Pearl Jam in San Francisco, CA

July 17, 2006 11:01 AM
by Jim Harrington
LiveDaily Contributor

Pearl Jam will probably never again be the biggest band in the world, a title it held for some years during the '90s. It takes two things to achieve that ranking: huge album sales and a monster live show. Eddie Vedder and crew don't have the former. But they certainly have the latter.

Fifteen years after the release of "Ten," a record that still ranks as one of the most successful debuts in rock history, Pearl Jam has struggled to find listeners for its new eponymous release. "Pearl Jam" has hardly marked the band's return to commercial glory. It failed to top the charts when it was released in May, coming in a distant second to Tool's "10,000 Days" (which roughly doubled the first-week sales of "Pearl Jam"), and made a surprisingly quick exit from the upper echelon of the Billboard Top 200.

Although no longer a real force in retail, Pearl Jam remains a powerhouse in the live arena. The band's current tour is one the summer's hot sellers, and you can usually count on the group to show fans a really good time.

Most recently, Pearl Jam sold out three nights at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco. This run, which included dates on Saturday and Sunday (7/15-16) and ends Tuesday (7/18), marked the first time that the group had played within the San Francisco city limits in 11 years. The last time was the near-riot in Golden Gate Park in 1995, back when Pearl Jam was indeed the biggest band in the world, when local legend Neil Young took over for an ailing Vedder after only a few songs. Since that occasion, the band has been performing nearly all its Northern California dates at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in nearby Mountain View.

If local fans had any sore feelings regarding the band's lengthy absence, Pearl Jam definitely made it up to them with a blistering set of old and new tunes.

Following an opening set by legendary alt-rockers Sonic Youth, Pearl Jam took the stage and immediately began to rip through breakneck versions of such tunes as "Of the Girl" (from 2000's "Binaural"), "Go" (from 1993's "Vs.") and the new album's first single, "World Wide Suicide." Vedder, who seemed deliriously happy to be back performing in San Francisco, delivered his strongest Bay Area performance in years as he pushed his buds through the anthem-like "Given to Fly" (from 1998's "Yield").

Guitarist Mike McCready, as usual, was right there by Vedder's side and delivering the kind of high-flying leads that other alt-rockers can only dream about. (Vedder recalled his mid-'90s prime with this show. McCready, in contrast, reminded folks that he keeps getting better with each passing year.)

The band performed 17 numbers during the first set--which, on paper, looks to be enough to make for an entire evening of song. The catch is that Pearl Jam was moving at such a rapid pace that it finished its main set in just over an hour.

Thankfully, the group returned to play two lengthy encores that combined to last even longer than the first set. The first encore had old-school PJ freaks going nuts, as the band returned to its debut to play both "Even Flow" and "Alive."

The next encore proved to be even better as the group embraced the second half of its name--"Jam"--and really tore into versions of Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World" and the concert-staple "Yellow Ledbetter."

Jeremy2009 wrote:

Great show I admit but I find it way too funny that people with these midsets like those members of the band who oppose big business men and who want to retain their indie roots can speak so badly of those like the business men when just about every vehicle outside was a limousine, Mercedes Benz, Jaguar or Lincoln town car. Thanks for the music guys but your getting a little out there with the "anti" stuff, what are you doing to help other countries who need medical aid, lower drug costs and overall humanitarian support?

"There's only one party I know and it is freedom"
-EV
6-3-03 Irvine, CA

Are you aware of the charities and causes Pearl Jam supported with this tour?

They are one of the few bands that did not "sell out" and it has impacted their success. You could say that Eddie is a true "Anti" from way back. Don't take my word for it check it out. How much "other country" support is coming out of Orange County these days?

mlman wrote:

Are you aware of the charities and causes Pearl Jam supported with this tour?

They are one of the few bands that did not "sell out" and it has impacted their success. You could say that Eddie is a true "Anti" from way back. Don't take my word for it check it out. How much "other country" support is coming out of Orange County these days?

Sure, there were many charities on this tour. But from a band that is using their influence mainly in politics I dont see anything that tries to promote their democratic views in helping third worrd countries. Nurses, Doctors and CARE are wonderful but what will happen when druglords who "run" those countries wont let them in or steal the supplies for money to buy more weapons. Im not debating the fact that they dont support aid in other countries, what are they doing to ensure the help is getting to the people, what governments are they working with? You cant simply assume just cause the media prints that aid is getting to he people is a true statement. Im sure there are people in the media despite what ever political affiliation they are with who are tempted to be paid off. Im sure life is beatutful in warm sunny OC with the beaches over there and everyone is doing their part to criticize everyone in the Bush Administration but where Im at is far from that.

Since when is it the bands responsibility for third world countries?

You speak of a great thing and we would all agree that everyone should be doing something about that. It seems to me that governments around the world are better suited for these type of things. Or maybe you should join the Peace Corps and help out yourself.

"I don't see anything that tries to promote their democratic views in helping third worlds countries"

Where does it say these are Democratic views? If you have a problem with Eddie speaking his mind you better get over it real quick because he always has and he always will. LOL

Let's see, so far they have voted the Dixie Chicks off of the island for their comments in 2003 and now Pink has done her, "Dear Mr. President" song so I am sure she is banned as well. Hey, how about Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young that want to impeach the President? The list of musical groups and the dreaded Hollywood Actors are all speaking their minds and saying what they feel is growing every day. For a while there those that were suddenly had their Income Tax returns audited!?!

In my opinion Mr. Bush is doing what he believes in his heart to be the right thing. I disagree with him but it does not mean that I do not have empathy for our troops that are fighting for all of us and are in harms way every day. This country is divided into "Red" states and "Blue" states. However, the list of those that are becoming less than thrilled with the current Administration is growing. The Republican Conservatives are having a holiday because their team is in power and are not shy about doing exactly what they please. Hey, it's their show baby. They have control of the House, Senate and the Oval Office. Let's see how they do.

How is it that Pearl Jam has lost touch with their fans as they show up in imported cars?

PJ is essentially a "white or middle class fan based" rock group coming out of Seattle, WA and their fans are growing a little older and have managed careers and possibly some success in life. They are too smart to buy a Buick and either want an import or a SUV. J\K

It was easy to see what was on your mind with your post and comments and I think you are going in the wrong direction with regards to Pearl Jam. Even the Pope said it was ok to believe in Evolution and Christ so you can love Pearl Jam and not feel the same passion for their political beliefs. I have no issue with your beliefs or what party you support and say "good for you." In the end the criticism is part of the prestige of the position of being considered the most powerful person on the planet. You just can't please all of the people all of the time.

You seem very intelligent and it sounds like you have your head on straight.

Enjoy and I am glad you liked the show. We sure did.

no good deed goes unpunished.....