PJ - Better Things: A Compilation (1990-2018)

[Kevin Davis]

I've been listening to a fair amount of PJ post-Gigaton, and recently I got inspired to throw together a compilation of tracks for my own listening pleasure that hopefully some others will enjoy as well. These are mostly (a) live tracks of semi-recent vintage, and (b) early demos and live tracks. Some are yanked from Ridley/JWB projects, some from official boots -- I didn't mess with any of the audio (not my forte) except to add fades for the sake of flow. It's not meant to be any kind of definitive anything, just an enjoyable collection of songs in the hither-and-yon "bootleg series" format. Recent live PJ especially gets tiring for me over the course of full shows, as Ed's voice deteriorates and the classic rock covers take over the sets, so it was fun to go through some of those boots and pick out some personal highlights, which are certainly still there. And yes, there are two versions of "Strangest Tribe" -- it's one of my favorites. Enjoy!

Pearl Jam
Better Things: A Compilation (FLAC)
Live and Studio Tracks, 1990-2018
https://www.mediafire.com/file/ch86b5rl ... 9.rar/file

1. Release (1990, demo)
2. Utrecht Improv (live, 3-4-1992)
3. Strangest Tribe (electric) (live, 8-5-2016)
4. You Are (live, 7-3-2018)
5. Cropduster (live, 5-12-2016)
6. Ghost (live, 7-10-2018)
7. Parachutes (live, 5-8-2016)
8. Oceans (1990, demo)
9. Satan's Bed (live, 4-3-1994)
10. Breath (live, 9-26-1992)
11. Black Red Yellow (live, 8-29-2005)
12. Sleight of Hand (live, 5-10-2016)
13. Alone (1990, demo)
14. Better Things (live, 7-7-2012)
15. After Hours (live, 12-6-2013)
16. Let Me Sleep (live, 8-20-2016)
17. Angel (live, 8-7-2016)
18. Black (1990, demo)
19. Better Man (live, 4-3-1994)
20. Strangest Tribe (acoustic) (live, 6-29-2014)
21. 10 Billion Years (2004-05, studio outtake)

[Wendy Carlos's Twin]

Thanks Kevin!

We've actually got some new surprises coming for you guys very soon.

Thanks for reminding me to finish them!

[Kevin Davis]

Thanks Kevin!

We've actually got some new surprises coming for you guys very soon.

Thanks for reminding me to finish them!

Scha-wiinngggggggg!

[VinylGuy]

Thanks Kevin!

We've actually got some new surprises coming for you guys very soon.

Thanks for reminding me to finish them!

[lowlight79]

Thanks Kevin!

We've actually got some new surprises coming for you guys very soon.

Thanks for reminding me to finish them!

Nice!

[Danacky]

Thanks Kevin!

We've actually got some new surprises coming for you guys very soon.

Thanks for reminding me to finish them!

Sweet JWB, looking forward to seeing what you have in stall for us (fingers crossed it all the demos and rarities that aren't on the b-sides set and all the pre 10 material)

[InThePresentTense]

Thanks Kevin!

We've actually got some new surprises coming for you guys very soon.

Thanks for reminding me to finish them!

I am so looking forward to this. Thank you.

[ridleybradout]

Thanks for sharing this KD

I love hearing people's highlights from the last decade of live shows (in the absence of a comprehensive compilation - maybe one day).

[Kevin Davis]

Thanks for sharing this KD

I love hearing people's highlights from the last decade of live shows (in the absence of a comprehensive compilation - maybe one day).

Thanks Brad!

This is hardly the result of a comprehensive deep dive -- more a smattering of what stuck after poking around, plus some other stuff. My takeaway is that 2013-2018 is some of the most bipolar Pearl Jam ever -- the performances here are tight and powerful, but in the same shows they're juxtaposed with performances that are so ramshackle and poor they're not worthy of a professional touring band. I realize this isn't a completely new phenomenon for PJ, but the chasm between highs and lows within single shows certainly feels at its widest during this period. When they're on, though, they're still untouchable.

I love the "Sleight of Hand" on here -- I've never heard Stone palm-mute those arpeggios before, it sounds almost metal!