Vault #3 - Constitution Hall, 9-19-1998 (vinyl, cd, digital)

[Kevin Davis]

I wasn't there, but it does sound like The Spectrum stand was kind of a mess.

But thinking that's the standard for what shows are like now is pretty misguided. Those were four special shows, with the band trying to play everything they could, in a total party atmosphere, essentially divorced from a tour ... to think the atmosphere of a typical Pearl Jam concert today is reflected by the crazy one-time circumstances of those 4 nights is a bit much.

I think the bottom line is basically that to everything there is a season. When they announced the '08 tour, it seemed like they were just taking a little summer jaunt around the U.S., a victory lap of sorts--no new album to plug, last summer of Bush Jr., a couple scenic locales that seemed like nice places to visit. But over the last five years that victory lap has turned into a victory Daytona 500--short, vacation-style tours, little interest in plugging new music, heavy emphasis on nostalgia, and a generally looser, less focused performance. The Philly shows represent an extreme manifestation of that approach, but I don't think they're glaring anomalies either. And while I don't begrudge them their desire to celebrate their remarkable past, creativity is the lifeblood of the artist, and I'm well past the point of being ready for them to heed their own advice and begin living in the present tense again.

[evenslow]

I wasn't there, but it does sound like The Spectrum stand was kind of a mess.

But thinking that's the standard for what shows are like now is pretty misguided. Those were four special shows, with the band trying to play everything they could, in a total party atmosphere, essentially divorced from a tour ... to think the atmosphere of a typical Pearl Jam concert today is reflected by the crazy one-time circumstances of those 4 nights is a bit much.

I think the bottom line is basically that to everything there is a season. When they announced the '08 tour, it seemed like they were just taking a little summer jaunt around the U.S., a victory lap of sorts--no new album to plug, last summer of Bush Jr., a couple scenic locales that seemed like nice places to visit. But over the last five years that victory lap has turned into a victory Daytona 500--short, vacation-style tours, little interest in plugging new music, heavy emphasis on nostalgia, and a generally looser, less focused performance. The Philly shows represent an extreme manifestation of that approach, but I don't think they're glaring anomalies either. And while I don't begrudge them their desire to celebrate their remarkable past, creativity is the lifeblood of the artist, and I'm well past the point of being ready for them to heed their own advice and begin living in the present tense again.

Measured. Precise.

[Kevin Davis]

This new vault release owns, by the way.

[stip]

it will be interesting how touring with new material will affect the live shows.

[Birds in Hell]

This new vault release owns, by the way.

Indeed it does.

Pearl Jam fans love petitioning the band to do things, I think I'll start a petition for Matt Cameron to play like circa 1998 Matt Cameron again.

[Strat]

"Play like you once played, pussy! You know, like that time you didnt really know the songs and were kind of just....you know..winging it! Pussy!"

[Wendy Carlos's Twin]

Exactly. It was the world series.

My point is: Who gives a shit? I went to see a concert, not to go to a fucking frat party. Not my peeps at all. It was like being trapped in the third circle of hell.

[Norah]

]with the band trying to play everything they could

That was their stated goal, but they didn't actually try to do that. If they tried to do that they wouldn't have repeated so many songs over the four nights.

I don't actually recall them stating they were aiming not to repeat songs across those shows, just that they were going to play as many different songs as they could. Now, of course (taken on face value) that means they could've played more had they not repeated The Fixer, Just Breathe, YL etc but I don't think that's what Ed meant - just that they'd do their best to fit as many different songs in around the material they already intended to play most nights.

The first time Ed mentioned it he said they were trying to play every song. Not as many as they could, but every song. Then they said they realized they'd need like a weeks worth of shows to do that so they'd do their best to get through as many as they can. Repeating The Fixer and a bunch of other BS songs every night is not doing your best to play as many different songs as you can.

[Rangi Guy]

Exactly. It was the world series.

World series you say - how many countries were competing?

[stip]

Exactly. It was the world series.

My point is: Who gives a shit? I went to see a concert, not to go to a fucking frat party. Not my peeps at all. It was like being trapped in the third circle of hell.

you might be a little too sensitive for public places.

[Norah]

Exactly. It was the world series.

World series you say - how many countries were competing?

Don't even start this. The best baseball players in the world play in MLB, they come from countries across the world to compete in the league with the highest level of talent. There's no reason why the MLB champion series can't be called the World Series since you know, it's the best players in the world playing.

[---]

haha everything

[William Bloke]

Exactly. It was the world series.

World series you say - how many countries were competing?

Don't even start this. The best baseball players in the world play in MLB, they come from countries across the world to compete in the league with the highest level of talent. There's no reason why the MLB champion series can't be called the World Series since you know, it's the best players in the world playing.

Cocain, coffee and 3 olympic gold medals...

[stip]

]with the band trying to play everything they could

That was their stated goal, but they didn't actually try to do that. If they tried to do that they wouldn't have repeated so many songs over the four nights.

4 nights.

105 different songs.
29 repeats.

why even bother.


Once
Even Flowx2
Alivex2
Why Gox2
Blackx2
Jeremyx2
Porchx2
Garden
Deep

Go
Animal
Daughterx2
Glorifed G
Dissident
Blood
Rearview Mirrorx2
Rats
Small Townx2
Leash

Last Exit
STBC
Not For You
Tremor Chirst
Nothingman
Whippingx2
Corduroyx2
Bugs
Satan's bed
Bettermanx2
Immortality

Hail Hail
In My Tree
Smile
Off He Goes
Habit
Lukin
Present Tense
I'm open
Mankind

Faithful
No Way
Given to flyx2
Wishlist
Pilate
Do the Evolutionx3
MFC
IOn Hiding
Low Light
Push/Pull
All Those Yesterdays

Evacuation
Light Years
Nothing as it seems
Insignficnace
Grievance
Rival
Parting Ways

Save You
Cropduster
Ghost
I Am Mine
You Are
Green Disease
1/2 Full

Life Wasted
World Wide Suicide
Severed Hand
Parachutes
Unemployable
Gone
Wasted Reprise
Come Back
Inside Job

Gonna See My Friend
Got Somex2
The Fixerx4
Johnny Guitarx2
Just Breathex4
Amongst the Waves
Unthought Knownx3
Supersonic
Speed of Soundx2
Force of Nature
The Endx2

State of Love and Trust
Bee Girl
Love Reign
Rockin' in the Free Worldx2
All Night
Down
Last Kiss
The Real Me
Yellow Ledbetterx2
Untitled intro
Hold On
Breath
Crazy Mary
Footsteps
Sonic Reducer
Baba O Riely
I Got Shit
Outta My Mind
Whip It
Crown of Thorns
Sweet Lew

[William Bloke]

]with the band trying to play everything they could

That was their stated goal, but they didn't actually try to do that. If they tried to do that they wouldn't have repeated so many songs over the four nights.

4 nights.

105 different songs.
29 repeats.

why even bother.


Once
Even Flowx2
Alivex2
Why Gox2
Blackx2
Jeremyx2
Porchx2
Garden
Deep

Go
Animal
Daughterx2
Glorifed G
Dissident
Blood
Rearview Mirrorx2
Rats
Small Townx2
Leash

Last Exit
STBC
Not For You
Tremor Chirst
Nothingman
Whippingx2
Corduroyx2
Bugs
Satan's bed
Bettermanx2
Immortality

Hail Hail
In My Tree
Smile
Off He Goes
Habit
Lukin
Present Tense
I'm open
Mankind

Faithful
No Way
Given to flyx2
Wishlist
Pilate
Do the Evolutionx3
MFC
IOn Hiding
Low Light
Push/Pull
All Those Yesterdays

Evacuation
Light Years
Nothing as it seems
Insignficnace
Grievance
Rival
Parting Ways

Save You
Cropduster
Ghost
I Am Mine
You Are
Green Disease
1/2 Full

Life Wasted
World Wide Suicide
Severed Hand
Parachutes
Unemployable
Gone
Wasted Reprise
Come Back
Inside Job

Gonna See My Friend
Got Somex2
The Fixerx4
Johnny Guitarx2
Just Breathex4
Amongst the Waves
Unthought Knownx3
Supersonic
Speed of Soundx2
Force of Nature
The Endx2

State of Love and Trust
Bee Girl
Love Reign
Rockin' in the Free Worldx2
All Night
Down
Last Kiss
The Real Me
Yellow Ledbetterx2
Untitled intro
Hold On
Breath
Crazy Mary
Footsteps
Sonic Reducer
Baba O Riely
I Got Shit
Outta My Mind
Whip It
Crown of Thorns
Sweet Lew

Not too many bands going around these days that would put up set lists like that over a 4 night stint. Hard to really complain about it with a straight face (the variety, not performance).

[Wendy Carlos's Twin]

Not too many bands going around these days that would put up set lists like that over a 4 night stint. Hard to really complain about it with a straight face (the variety, not performance).

The funny thing is that the "rare" songs were awful performances anyway. They shouldn't have even bothered. Aside from "Parting Ways", I don't think any of the rare songs will be making anyone's mix tape anytime soon. The whole band sounds like they're brain damaged.

I witnessed the Philly performance of "Evacuation" and it was like watching a bunch of retards who were just learning how to play their instruments. And the audience couldn't tell the difference because they don't know how "Evacuation" goes anyway. That kind of says it all.

[LetMeSleep]

At a rehearsal studio we used alot, one day we heard ABBA songs with some weird gutteral yelling, bad percussion and manic drums for over an hour. We assumed it was some sort of performance art until a special needs van turned up. Charity studio time. Apparently, it was the highlight of their week and was great to let off steam.

[Wendy Carlos's Twin]

At a rehearsal studio we used alot, one day we heard ABBA songs with some weird gutteral yelling, bad percussion and manic drums for over an hour. We assumed it was some sort of performance art until a special needs van turned up. Charity studio time. Apparently, it was the highlight of their week and was great to let off steam.

Those were Pearl Jam's Philly rehearsals. An hour should have about covered it.

[warehouse]

Exactly. It was the world series.

My point is: Who gives a shit? I went to see a concert, not to go to a fucking frat party. Not my peeps at all. It was like being trapped in the third circle of hell.

most of the people there gave a shit. i thought u were there?

[warehouse]

Exactly. It was the world series.

World series you say - how many countries were competing?

the best ones