Right Place, Right Time: Pearl Jam - Live at Benaroya Hall
There is always a song for every situation. Always. Sometimes, it takes an album to survive a day. I found mine.
I started with The Gutter Twins’ Saturnalia. It’s an excellent record and I’m glad I listened to it again today, but it wasn’t what I needed. Not exactly, anyway.
What is it the doctor ordered? Pearl Jam’s Live at Benaroya Hall.
The benefit show from October 22, 2003 was released as a double-live “acoustic” album (there are a handful of songs with acoustic guitars) and is a must-have for any serious Pearl Jam fan. The heavy emphasis on acoustic songs — or songs that would translate in that kind of environment and with that style arrangement — gives this show a distinct feel that separates it from others the band has released in their “official bootleg” program. The songs, performance, and feel of this show blend somber and hopeful in a blend that works for me where I am.
Among the highlights of the set are “Fatal,” the live debut of “Man of the Hour,” “Immortality,” and “All Or None.” Coming up with highlights is actually tougher than if I were to list some of the moments that didn’t work as well for me, but I’m not going to do that because it misses the point. Taken as a whole, Live at Benaroya Hall has soothed me and moved me and its perfect.
Fun story about this, too. I actually didn’t buy it for myself. I not-so-subtlely hinted to TheWifeToWhomI’mMarried that I wanted this. We were carpooling back in those days and before she came to pick me up from work she bought me a copy. I wasn’t surprised but I was very happy, and we proceeded to listen to the CD as we drove home.
This is also reminding me that I need to place my order for the PJ bootlegs from earlier this summer.
Filed under: Tags: Music of the Moment, Pearl Jam
I always forget about this one. I never picked it up, wasn’t sure what it was about, and never bothered to look into it. I think, not sure, it might have been around the time Riot Act came out, am I right? And I really hated that album for some reason - which doesn’t make any sense anymore because it pretty much sounds like the other more recent PJ albums. I was apparently just PJd out and passed on this live album. I see this thing used all the time, glance at it, and then never actually pull the trigger. I need to do that - the acoustic disc of the Mansfield show is pretty amazing (I know - ironic that I bought THAT but not the Benaroya Hall set. Hush.)
I’m going to let the inconsistencies of Mansfield v Benaroya go. I understand how sometimes you can just be “over” a band and you let something go. Not everyone loves Benaroya. It’s a little rarity heavy and being a full-length acoustic show it’s not heavy on ::wait for it:: dynamics.
For me, this is a favorite. I like the vibe. I like sound. I like these acoustic songs. It’s an underappreciated part of Pearl Jam’s catalog. This is a special occasion show. You really need to pick it up, especially if you can find a used copy. I love it.