Pearl Jam Astounds Motown

Enable frames

Pearl Jam Astounds Motown

by Marilu D'Angela

Eddie Vedder - Photo by Kay McEntee

It was August 1991 when Pearl Jam first released their album, Ten. Since then it has hit sales figures of 10 million plus and set the tone for the past 12 years as a touchstone for the bands talent and evolution.

Catching this group live goes way behind the sounds of that seminal album's deep hitting sounds, propelling this critic into a place of joyful admiration for the talent, honesty, and energy.

Pearl Jam stopped over in the Detroit area and performed two nights, June 25 & 26 to a full capacity crowd at DTE Energy Music Theater. They are musicians not rock stars, according to lead vocalist Eddie Vedder. And he clearly illustrated his humble stance the second night at DTE.

Vedder quietly came out on stage, guitar in hand, facing a stunned sparse pre show audience. He thanked everyone for coming early to see the warm up group, which consisted of the seminal power-pop proto-punk band The Buzzcocks, and then sang a heart felt song.

This is the kind of thing Vedder is known for.  He shows up at out of the
way venues, changes sets, goes with the moment, and doesn't hop around in
some haughty way.  Vedder is real, as real as it gets.  He tells the truth
even if it hurts like hell.  Mainly, he puts himself out there for anyone
who gets it.

The award winning song, Jeremey came out way before Columbine's tragic
incident.  Can we add prophet to his life vitae too?

As a socially conscious band, Pearl Jam has been involved in aiding many
charities, including their latest joint venture spearheaded by Buzzcock
Tony Barber, also an animal activist.  All proceeds from the T-shirt sales
of their July 8th concert in Madison Square Gardens will go to Rational
Animal, a non-profit agency raising awareness of homeless animals in the
New York area.

Those wishing to purchase a T-shirt can check it online at www.rational-animal.org.

The Buzzcocks started the concert out with a bang.  How could they miss
with such an eloquent introduction from Vedder?  Comprised of Pete Shelley,
Steve Diggle, Tony Barber and Phil Barker, the Buzzcocks have a new album
out which is untitled and recently released on Merge Records.  They've been
around for over 25 years and critics claim this could very well be the best
of their 7 studio albums.

Pearl Jam just began the second stage of their World tour May 28th. Their
2003 tour began early this year in Australia, Japan, then two legs in North
America, which they finish up July 19th in Mexico City.

Pearl Jam put together two completely different set lists for each concert
at DTE, choosing from their 150-song repertoire.  They also have a new
website which corresponds with this concert tour.  By logging onto
www.pearljambootleg.com you can purchase live recordings of any 2003 show.

The performance was hot and tight Mike McCreedy's solos were skillful and
expressive.  He was the showboat of the group, playing up to the crowd,
movin' and groovin' around the stage.  While Vedder started out rather
subdued, he eventually worked up to his dynamo signature stage presence.

He reached out and touched a few hands in the crowd, handing them his guitar picks, one on one. In the end he handed off the two tambourines he'd been playing.

The other band members, Stone Gossard on guitar, Jeff Ament on bass, and Matt Cameron on drums were tight with synergy and skills.

Riot Act is their 6th album creation released with Epic November 2002. This is their last album with Sony Music. They cut the ties in May and are currently courting other options. Riot Act is a rather cerebral mode of Pearl Jam, making commentaries on politics, relationships and emotions. The most exciting cut performed from Riot Act was You Are - mostly a Cameron endeavor with Vedder adding his touches with the wording and vocals.

Eddie Vedder - Photo by Kay McEntee

There were only a couple times when Vedder smiled, knowing he was reaching
the crowd. Other than those times, he stayed internal, tapping into some
timeless deep well of expression, taking his fans with him.

Pearl Jam is currently working on another album, a work in progress,
choosing songs that didn't make it on other albums.  Tunes like Yellow
Ledbetter will be compiled for a soon to be released CD.   Their raw pure
emotion elevated the audience into Vedder's world with all the elation of
turmoil, pain, and honesty.

Vedder talked about being inspired by truth, by real people telling you the
truth.  He exclaimed, "Don't be inspired by bullS3*t.  That's one thing you
won't get at a Pearl Jam concert!"

Pearl Jam has pleasantly evolved into a more diverse arena utilizing the
talents and expressions of all band members, veering the spotlight a bit
from Vedder, although when on stage, his dynamic honesty and hardcore
intensity is hard to deny.

Pearl Jam has stood the test of time and continues to astound and pleasure
audiences. Their fans are as true as the band itself.  Pearl Jam keeps the
ticket prices within reasonable rates and do so by toning down the glitz
and glitter, just going out there and being musicians expressing their very
souls.

There's an odd intimacy you feel in their presence amongst thousands of
others. Pearl Jam was one of the dynamic duo of the Alternative/Grunge
movement, the other being Nirvana.  They've made waves in the big ocean of
the rock 'n roll whirlpool and they still stand by the shore, steady and
true to their fans, their music and the world.

This author hopes that they will continue etching out their mark for a long
time to come.

Enable frames