Confessions of a Fanboy

I just got the new Pearl Jam box set at Circuit City. 7 CDs, 100 songs, $29.99. That, kids, is fucking value.

I’m in the process of ripping the seven discs to my iPod. I’m listening to Disc 1 of the first of three shows, the September 2005 show. I love the Pearl Jam live bootleg program, and this set has all the markings of being fabulous. Three songs in and Eddie has already butchered the lyrics to a song (”Off He Goes”). There’s also some banter about Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers. TP&TH were apparently scheduled to play The Gorge the night after this show (09/05/2005) and were already staying at a nearby hotel. You can’t make this stuff up!

Those of you wondering when Eddie’s first political diatribe would show up, the over/under was midway through the first disc. Actually, diatribe is putting it a bit strong. In dedicating “I Am Mine” to the people of New Orleans, recovering from the devastation of Hurrincane Katrina, Vedder takes a couple quick jabs at the federal government and its response to the disaster. More important than the political barbs is their performance of the song — it is stellar. This is probably the best live version of the song I’ve heard, and this is one of my favorite PJ songs. It’s stunning.

One thing I’m looking forward to is hearing songs from the self-titled album in the live setting. That self-titled record is one that left me a little empty. I don’t hate it, but it never connected with me. I’m wondering if these songs take on a new life live the way songs so often do.

I’m a little disappointed that “Breath” didn’t get played any of these nights but I have live versions of it from past shows I’ve collected. The rest of the set lists look solid. There are some nice rarities and covers and a good mix of songs from the various albums. They didn’t play everything, but Pearl Jam fans will be hard pressed not to find a few favorites on this generous set.

Filed under: Tags: Music of the Moment, Pearl Jam