Pearl Jam
Live at Benroya Hall - Oct. 22, 2003
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I recently had the most distinct joy and privilege to witness one of the greatest bands in rock history live. That is by no means an overstatement. To see Pearl Jam and hear Eddie in person is an experience I was indeed unprepared for. Admittedly I had not been a fan of them since Vitalogy and went expecting to hear little more than a few good songs. What I did not realize was exactly how many great Pearl Jam songs I love and how many played a distinct part in my generation. For those of us who grew up on rock in the “grunge era”, there will be only a few bands worth remembering. For me that includes Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots and Pearl Jam. I guess I had simply forgotten how much PJ’s songs meant to me.

The concert took place at Nissan Pavilion, west of Washington, D.C. Let me preface this commentary by saying that a weekday concert at a venue just off of the DC beltway is a recipe for disaster. Not only is it horribly dangerous, but also it’s a lock there’s going to be wicked traffic. With PJ going on stage around 8:30pm, we were sweating bullets in traffic at 8:00pm, uncertain of our arrival. Fortunately with a little reckless driving and running in sandals, we made it in with about five minutes to spare to take our plot of land on the lawn. Then, to a raucous applause, Pearl Jam took the stage and ripped into a song I’ve never heard before. I’m thinking, “If half the concert is new songs, I’m going to be lost here”.

At the conclusion of that song Eddie addresses the crowd: “We’re going to do things a little different tonight. I understand a lot of people are still stuck in traffic so we’re going to kick things of with some lighter songs. We’ll wait for everyone else to catch up with us before the ass-kicking begins!” (Or something to that effect). And so he proceeded to play “Elderly Woman behind A Counter In A Small Town” followed by “Off He Goes”.

That was just the start of 2 ½ hours of rock euphoria. In over twenty songs Eddie and the boys thoroughly treated the crowd to some of the most special songs ever written. “Even Flow, Why Go, Black, Do the Evolution, Dissident, Daughter, Betterman, Given To Fly” and so on. I learned that “Spin the Black Circle” is actually about records and not drugs. Then he played “blood” and I learned that song was about drugs. Eddie was charming, pleasant and I think he looks like Harrison Ford with his hair short. The concert was so special because you get the impression that just this night they were working extra hard for us. That there was something special about this night that made them play so many songs and take TWO encores. That somehow Eddie knew exactly what songs I wanted to hear.

The first set was ended by a masterful rendition of “Rearview Mirror”. There was loud guitars, a killer solo, strobe lights, screaming fans. It was an experience. But we simply were unwilling to let them go. Another great set was ended by “Indifference” played to lighters across the pavilion. Burnt thumbs gave way to cheers when PJ thought they could actually leave after just 5 more songs. What were they thinking? The final set was wrapped up with the almost obligatory “Rockin’ In The Free World” and, no lie, “Yellow Ledbetter”. That was the wild card play none of us expected. What a marvelous treat!

I cannot in good conscience end this article without mentioning perhaps the most amazing part of the evening. Well first, the second most amazing part was that we were out of the pavilion and on the highway in less than 15 minutes! But before that I got the chance to hear one of the most powerful songs ever written, live. Of course I’m talking about “Jeremy”. That song in my mind is as much a part of the 90’s as “Smells Like Teen Spirit”. In addition to that, for most people it was the song that captured our attention. It was as clear and true as I could have imagined. I had hoped all night that I could hear either “Jeremy” or “Alive”. It took me all the way back to middle school and I couldn’t have been more impressed. All I have to say is, “thank you Pearl Jam”.

If I sound like a little schoolgirl gushing over the hot guy in class, I am. There are few things as moving and powerful as music and to see it live takes it to the next level. The power and presence of a band that commands as much respect as Pearl Jam is reason enough to go. I think most of all I’ll be thankful that I got to experience a rock idol first hand. A true American Idol, not that Justin Guarini crap. I implore any one who reads this article to see Pearl Jam if you have the chance, you’ll never regret it.

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