Concert Review

Pearl Jam

Sony-Blockbuster Entertainment Center Camden, NJ August 27, 1998

News and Notes

Setlist Release

Animal

Hail Hail Given To Fly

Corduroy

MFC

I Got Id Even Flow

Jeremy Daughter

WMA

Off He Goes Immortality

Rearviewmirror

Brain Of J Black

Better Man

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by Nick Levanduslcy design editor

Despite the slight strain in lead singer Eddie Vedder's voice, Pearl Jam managed to put on a show at the Blockbuster Music Entertainment Center in Camden, NJ. that was very powerful and emotionally driven.

Pearl Jam did not petform any soundchecks before appearing on the stage in front of a sold out crowd of 25,000 people. It seemed, though, as if they had, because the clarity and togetherness of the band was fantastic through all 25 songs. This was the first appearance by Pearl Jam in this area since April 10, 1992 when they played at the Trocadero in Philadelphia.

The concert began in darkness, with only six candles lined up along the back of the stage providing light Then, a low moan from Vedder's gut started the beginning of "Release," the first song from their debut recording entitled Ten.

Throughout the show, the band continued to bounce from album to album for their song selection, with the exception of "Jeremy" and "Even Flow" which can be found on Ten. There were also some songs played that cannot be found on any of the major releases, songs like "I Got Id," "Hard to Imagine" and "Leaving Here."

During the song ''Rearviewmirror," Vedder experienced some gui- tar problems. He managed to keep on singing while he switched guitars. He did not miss a beat and maintained his composure like a professional.

At the beginning of the first encore, the band played little pieces of "Sweet Home Alabama," an old Lynard Skynard song. Vedder then asked the crowd, "Isn't that what started the Civil War?" Then, they played a little bit of "Philadelphia Freedom," a song originally done by Elton John.

Lead guitarist Mike McCready put on a show with his phenomenal ability. Most of the CDs put out by Pearl Jam do not include long jam sessions like a Phish CD or an Allman Brothers CD. However, when Pearl Jam plays live, McCready seems to get trapped in his own world. ''I Got Id," "Immortality," ''Black" and "Alive" were the most powerful performances by him along with ''Porch" at the end of the concert. He was almost falling over at times, jumping around the stage and constantly bending down to see what magical sounds he could put together with his guitar pedals and switches. He even received a comment from Vedder after playing "Immortality."

During the concert, Vedder did not talk to the crowd very much, probably because of his ailing voice. He mentioned that his favorite episode of the TV show "COPS" took place in Philadelphia, so he dedicated

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''WMA" to Philadelphia. He also had a political comment on the next terrorist bomb attack. He told the audience that he though it would be the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia.

As Pearl Jam played the night away, the crowd was singing each song at the top of their lungs. At times, it became hard to hear Vedder's voice. It sounded like he was following the crowd's lead. The crowd was dancing and acting like crazed animals until the stretch of songs including ''Daughter," "Off He Goes" and ''Immortality" mellowed them out a little. While he was singing these songs, the large projection screens, meant for those on the lawn who cannot see to well, showed a man who was definitely in touch with his words and his feelings.

After a thrilling final performance of "Porch," the crowd seemed like they were drained both physically and emotionally as they reluctantly exited the stadium staring at the stage in awe. Chants of "one more song" echoed throughout the Sony Blockbuster Music Center.

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