Setlist: Sometimes, Hail Hail, Who You Are, In My Tree, Habit, Present Tense, Red Mosquito, Mankind, Off He Goes, Animal, Last Exit, Even Flow, Tremor Christ, Not For You, Immortality, Whipping, I Got Id, Leaving Here; Encore: Wash, Go, Dissident, Alive, Around The Bend

Secret Show Details!
by: LizzyRock@aol.com

I was so close to the stage; it almost wasn't like a Pearl Jam show, it was the equivalent of seeing one of my musician friends at a Sacramento gig. Yes, it was THAT intimate and I was soooo close to the stage for the first half of the show. Amazing. ...the evening was PERFECT! Gus opened! On with the show:

Although I've never publically gotten involved with the Jack vs Dave debate, I secretly was disappointed with Jack's performance on the last tour. But, after last night, I'm a total Jack convert. His drumming was simply outstanding, especially on the new songs. I found myself just staring at him in awe at times. He propelled "In My Tree" and "Who You Are" to orgasmic heights. The big question of the night (for me) was how the No Code songs would turn out live. Well, let's just say they are even BETTER live. "Around The Bend," the show closer, was performed with note-perfect clarity, yet with a raw soulfulness that added a new subtle impact to the song. "Present Tense" hit me on a personal, emotional level and, as I was concentrating on the performance, I realized I had tears streaming out of my eyes. But the best new song for me was "Off He Goes". Hands down. The band never sounded better than at this moment. Being close enough to look into Eddie's eyes and SEE that this song was coming from deep inside his soul was powerful beyond words. It was a devastating moment. The words remind me of a close friend, and this time, I couldn't even contain my tears. I bawled. (For those of you who've never read my reviews....the LizzyCryO'Meter is a good barometer of a song's power live.)

At first, it seemed like we would get treated to No Code in it's entirety, as they ran from tracks 1-4 in order. Eagerly expecting "Smile" next, I was surprised as the band suddenly tore into "Habit." Good raucous fun, of course. :) Stone BEAMED as he played "Mankind," which had the whole crowd pogo-ing in a wave of good vibes.

The second half of the show was Eddie's self-titled "Human Jukebox." Part 2 of the show was really fun because the band performed an unpredictable grab-bag of songs. "Wash" was the biggest surprise and THE best performance of the song I've ever seen (this was my 16th show)....the band was perfect and Eddie's vocals got increasingly intense as the song progressed (even as he played with JAMANIAC's dummy arm...LOL). "I Got Id" was another high point; the chorus was hypnotic and passionate as Eddie moaned "I walk the line when you held me...." A simply beautiful treatment of a tune about realizing you screwed up something important. Like fine wines, "Tremor Christ" and "Immortality" have ripened with age. Stone and Mike played "Tremor Christ's" unique opening chord structure with power and urgency, giving the song an ultra-tense edge that wasn't apparent on last year's performances of the song. The band completely gave their all to the frenetic "Go," another high point, with Jeff's incredible bass forcing the tune into manic overdrive. "Leaving Here" was danceable fun. "Alive" was filled with passion with the entire band going ballistic by the climax. They've played this song soooo many times, it's amazing that it could still be done so enthusiastically and freshly!

All the guys seemed to be having a grand time playing. Obviously, this gig was not a chore for them. :D The stage was small, so they couldn't move around alot (no room for massive Jeff leaps or Stone circle struts). Mike played some pretty tasty solos; "Habit" and "Red Mosquito" featured him at his best. He was pretty subdued most of the evening, concentrating on his incredible guitar work, instead of running around the stage. And Stone was in top-notch form too; he strummed his guitar with a compelling forcefulness.

The show displayed the band members' versatility, as they changed moods and tempos with each song. Any group that can blow your head off with the angry "Habit" or "Last Exit," make you dance along with "Leaving Here," and move you to tears with the gentle "Off He Goes", ALL IN THE COURSE OF ONE EVENING, is certainly worthy of its reputation as being one of THE ultimate live acts in the history of rock.. :)