Red Mosquito

Release (San Francisco 2006-07-18) vs. In The Moonlight (Alpine Valley 2011-09-03)

at least this one is an easy vote

In the Moonlight.

A) I was there and it kicked ass
B) not a big fan of modern Release

Release rules

In the Moonlight only cause that's a shitty Release.

In the Moonlight.

so if the point of this entire tourney is to vote the best live version of any song, then in the moonlight takes this match up hands down. the only way that people can vote for release is because they like the song better. but at that point, if we're just voting for favorite songs, this tourney is no different than the other ones.

I agree; the premise is good (or different, at least) but I suspect many are just voting for whatever song they prefer.

Personally, I’ve (regrettably) listened to so much live Pearl Jam material that I’m taking the approach of voting for whatever I think is the strongest song in live performance generally - I’m not listening to any of the YouTube videos in the threads.

I’m voting Release here because I think it’s a song that works much better in the live environment than In the Moonlight though I think the latter is the better song by a long shot.

Surprised some are so against this version of Release. I think the middle era (can you believe 2006 is middle era now?) versions are much better than the early overwrought versions. There were some 2000 versions in the running too, but none of them had the polish of this version, or as smooth vocals.

I’ve generally been voting for the specific performance of each song as the tournament calls for. That said, on this occasion (and maybe a couple others) I’ve voted for the song I prefer (which generally is also the song that is better live even if the specific performance isn’t my favorite). I voted Release here. I prefer earlier performances, but I don’t dislike the middle years. And it’s tied for my favorite PJ song of all time. So....

PHATJ wrote:Release rules

It used to. I hate Matt’s drumming on it and most times it seems like Ed can barely sing it.

wease wrote:

PHATJ wrote:Release rules

It used to. I hate Matt’s drumming on it and most times it seems like Ed can barely sing it.

See above

ridleybradout wrote:Surprised some are so against this version of Release. I think the middle era (can you believe 2006 is middle era now?) versions are much better than the early overwrought versions. There were some 2000 versions in the running too, but none of them had the polish of this version, or as smooth vocals.

Eddie can't do the high note at the end at this point. I would have gone with Rotterdam '92. Nitpick. Still awesome job on the collection much appreciated keep em' coming.

I think release is one of those songs that aged well with Eddie's vocals, and maybe feel a bit more empathetic in later versions.