Pearl Jam - Definitive Live Versions (a Green Habit sequel)

[ridleybradout]

Off He Goes
- Katowice 2000-06-16
- Los Angeles 1998-07-14 (LO2L)
- Benaroya 2003-10-22 (thinking of allowing this given album version is mainly acoustic)
- London 2005-09-12

Thoughts on using Benaroya? It's pretty flawless and Ed's vocals are like sweet caramel.

I did stumble across an amazing electric 2000 version (East Troy 2000-10-08), with more great guitar flourishes from Mike and Stone than Benaroya:

pearljambootlegs.org link

[Norah]

Post-2009 versions of In My Tree have been stellar. Much tighter than some of the early live performances of the songs. Doesn't Ed fuck up the lyrics in both Berlin '96 and Melbourne '98?

Off the top of my head, Boston 2010 and Berlin 2012 are head and shoulders better than most early performances. Ed still sounds great on this one, too.

Interesting perspective - I have enjoyed IMT versions this decade too (the slow 2003-2006 version is thankfully now dead and buried).

As for lyrics, I don't think Ed has sung this site's URL in 20 years. Berlin 96 does have lyrics errors but Melbourne 1998 is pretty spot on, except for this:

Ed slips in a tribute to the late Michael Hutchence (of INXS) during ‘In My Tree’ (“I’m so high I hold just one breath, give it to INXS, just like my innocence”).

Plus JACK FUCKING IRONS (I do really love Matt's 2000-era drumming on this though).

Melbourne 98 is clearly the answer here.

[Norah]

Off He Goes
- Katowice 2000-06-16
- Los Angeles 1998-07-14 (LO2L)
- Benaroya 2003-10-22 (thinking of allowing this given album version is mainly acoustic)
- London 2005-09-12

Thoughts on using Benaroya? It's pretty flawless and Ed's vocals are like sweet caramel.

I did stumble across an amazing electric 2000 version (East Troy 2000-10-08), with more great guitar flourishes from Mike and Stone than Benaroya:

pearljambootlegs.org link

I'd go with East Troy here.

[darth_vedder]

East Troy is really good, just listened to it, but I think the LO2L is still better.

For those that haven't heard East Troy, you can listen here around the 54 minute mark:

[Ledbetterman10]

Ridley, you are by far the most productive Pearl Jam superfan around and I appreciate your work. I look forward to chiming in on Yield.

[Ledbetterman10]

But while we're still on No Code, I'll throw out a vote for the LO2L version of Red Mosquito.

[ridleybradout]

Thanks mate, Red Mosquito suggestion noted.

The two hardest to decide at the moment are Hail Hail and Present Tense.

The Letterman version of Hail Hail has inferior but decent enough audio quality, however there seem to be some bung guitar notes in the last 'race that can't be won' verse. The Berlin 96 version is actually quite strong and played pretty much flawlessly. I'm leaning towards a Jack version, but the LO2L and some other 2000 versions are still in contention.

Present Tense - what do people think of having a version with the crowd singing some/most of the first chorus? There are some really strong 2006 versions (e.g. Philly 2006-05-27, San Fran 2006-07-18). Unfortunately the Letterman webcast version doesn't have good enough audio quality to be considered.

The St Louis 2003 opener is obviously great too, and there are some good 2005 versions around. Charlotte is the pick of the 2000 versions.

The Berlin 96 version isn't bad either and has original drummer...

[rimb]

Prefer a version with Ed singing the opening verse I think

[ducko]

Thanks mate, Red Mosquito suggestion noted.

The two hardest to decide at the moment are Hail Hail and Present Tense.

The Letterman version of Hail Hail has inferior but decent enough audio quality, however there seem to be some bung guitar notes in the last 'race that can't be won' verse. The Berlin 96 version is actually quite strong and played pretty much flawlessly. I'm leaning towards a Jack version, but the LO2L and some other 2000 versions are still in contention.

Present Tense - what do people think of having a version with the crowd singing some/most of the first chorus? There are some really strong 2006 versions (e.g. Philly 2006-05-27, San Fran 2006-07-18). Unfortunately the Letterman webcast version doesn't have good enough audio quality to be considered.

The St Louis 2003 opener is obviously great too, and there are some good 2005 versions around. Charlotte is the pick of the 2000 versions.

The Berlin 96 version isn't bad either and has original drummer...

If Letterman Hail Hail doesn't' cut the mustard, then my vote's for Berlin, which rips and has Jack. I can't abide Matt's drumming on this song for what my opinion may be worth.

Present Tense, my vote is for St Louis or Charlotte as I haven't heard the other ones mentioned. And although Berlin is great, I like some variety in my compilations.

Thanks again for stimulating the debate.

[bada]

Prefer a version with Ed singing the opening verse I think

Agreed. I'm sure its fun when you're there but I hate listening to audience participation.

[doone]

I agree with chud up above.
The Charlotte 2000 Present Tense is fantastic.
I haven't decided on Hail Hail

edit - I don't have the Letterman Hail Hail so I'm not sure how it stacks up but of the versions I have from the 90's, I like 1998-09-19 Washington DC.

[Juvenal]

First things first - this is super. Thanks for creating this. Hats, caps and cocks doffed to you, fine sir.

Secondly, I'm going to be a bit geeky so apologies. When it comes to Hail Hail, I've always loved it when Ed varies up the last line of second and third choruses, a la:



The last one in particular (around 2.32):

*********************in love
******** to those*********** yeah"
"I refer

(Fuck do I love that change from the album version.)

Being a lazy fuck and not bothering to check, could you tell me if your Hail, Hail selection(s) have this? No worries if not; it's a fantastic song even without.

[Norah]

Present Tense - what do people think of having a version with the crowd singing some/most of the first chorus?

NO

[Anders]

It was fantastic on the Letterman show.

[Anders]

Prefer a version with Ed singing the opening verse I think

Agreed. I'm sure its fun when you're there but I hate listening to audience participation.

I'm the opposite. I love hearing Betterman when the crowd goes crazy.

[E.H. Ruddock]

Right, but we are looking for the best quality, definitive live versions. For that, I want Ed singing, not a crowd.

[Norah]

Right, but we are looking for the best quality, definitive live versions. For that, I want Ed singing, not a crowd.

ruddo gets it

[Norah]

which is why pretty much any betterman after 2000 was disqualified, imo

[E.H. Ruddock]

which is why pretty much any betterman after 2000 was disqualified, imo

True. Although I swear I heard one the other day from a recent tour where he performed the whole song. But you can still hear the crowd more than usual in it.

[Anders]

Right, but we are looking for the best quality, definitive live versions. For that, I want Ed singing, not a crowd.

Yes. I don't agree. The more audience singing, the more legit and listenable Betterman is.