Set List: Do The Evolution, Animal, Hail Hail, Brain of J., Dissident, Faithfull, In My Tree, Wishlist, Off He Goes, Corduroy, Given To Fly, Even Flow, Daughter/Noise of Carpet, MFC, Lukin, Immortality, Alive; Encore: I Got Id, Better Man/Save It For Later, Around The Bend, State of Love and Trust

Elsa Ayala (eayala@med.unc.edu):

All Is Forgiven

I am very tempted to ventilate my anger regarding the frustration I was forced to endure, trying to tape this concert on a nonprofessional recording device. It seems the female security guards had it in for me from the start. Admittedly, sometimes my attitude proceeds me, however .. .. .. so . ..I couldn't help but say something sarcastic as I was turned away from the gate the first time. You see, I could not enter with my tape recorder, but there were a number of men inside with much more sophisticated equipment than I was carrying. What happened there, security? . . But suffice it to say that The One who resides within, as usual, arranged for me to have this tape despite the efforts of the 'fuckers' to prevent it. I must also take my share of blame for not preparing myself better for avoiding the potential disaster of not getting any of this fine historic event on tape. (yah, I left my micro cassette recorder at home on the mainland. : [ )

Yes, I arrived for the second night later than the first, thinking this might help in the effort to conceal my recorder. I called home and told Cosmo, one of my fine DJ buddies, about my plight. He advised me on how I should get my tape recorder in on the second night, unaware of the poor ratio of this bulk to my small frame. I wondered, "O.K., I'll try that," wearing big clothes and a tape recorder almost as prominent as a body cast. . .ha! But it was not to be. I held my tongue, as they turned me away for the second night. Back at the car in an outside parking spot, I removed the thing. Drove in as they parked me (for free!!!) in the most ideal spot in the parking lot. The thing is, they had no idea they were helping me. Yes!!! I sat outside poised to hit record the moment Pearl Jam began 'Do The Evolution.' Yes!! With the window cracked just enough to let some decent sound waves in, I locked it up and hurried to the gates where I got the second stupid frisking of the evening, from the dear security ladies!!! Maybe they get off on that!!! as they tried to hold me up again while, Eddie was wailing on, 'Do the Evolution.' As I entered, my beloved guys of Pearl Jam ripped right in to 'Animal!!!' I looked back at the ladies and joined Eddie as he sang, "I'd rather be with an animal! . .. .Why would you want to hurt me?" (ya . ..I know I know, I set myself up for this . ..) But!! That was the most satisfying feeling to hear that song at that very moment in my journey to Maui!!! What an effective release!

I noticed that the stage lighting was more purple and yellow tonight. The effect was quite soothing! Great lighting!! Better still, the guys all looked a lot more comfortable. Eddie especially looked completely relaxed and deep, deep into his task at hand. I relaxed too and realized that this was to be the most beautiful come back concert after last night's bout with passionate mixed feelings. Next up was 'Dissident,' which also showed how much better this crowd was receiving this concert, as everyone was joining Eddie as he sang the lyrics. I hoped he could see me somehow, but such a thing was probably less likely tonight for the crowd was moving around like waves flowing in the ocean. My 'chariot,' is tiny and easily concealed in a crowd, even though I stood in the same spot as 'the night before' (ah! -Beatles from Help!) "Love was in your eyes. .the night before. Was I so unwise .. .. the night before . . . Now today I find, you have changed your mind. Treat me like you did the night before!!!!!" Yah!

When Eddie paused to talk to us, he spoke in Hawaiian. So sweetly and then he acknowledged that he recognized several of us as he looked around. I started waving through my hole in the crowd. When his eyes caught my arms waving at him (did they?), he paused and then said something I can only speculate on as to what he meant. What I'll choose to say about this is something I am twisting around in my mind selfishly. The mind is a powerful tool!! I am taking it as some kind of metaphorical response, for I can definitely dig it in anyway that my deluded mind wishes to . .I will pretend . . .

This concert was definitely on track now since Eddie took a moment to say to the adoring collection of souls present, "All Is Forgiven. This song is called Faithfull." Then he began, 'Faithfull,' The most savory version I have heard, since I have heard it done on Yield and these two times live!! Yes!!! I was melting into this one and so was the crowd, as they were singing along while dancing happily. Just see how quickly they are learning this wonderful new Pearl Jam!

I can't express my extreme delight enough when Eddie introduced the next song, 'In My Tree.' This was one that I requested in email before the trip. As he sang "Wave to all my friends, yah, They don't seem to notice me," I waved again with both arms!!! I love all of No Code and this concert had five cuts from No Code in it!!! You go Pearl Jam guys!!! No Code is fabulous and even more so, live!!! They'll get into it one of these days!!!

. . . .and if they don't, fuck it, right?

The waves outside my window are calling me so I will try, perhaps in vain, to finish this up with less detail. . .I just thought you might like to know what was said, shared etc. in between the chords and riffs. . .too. . .'Wishlist,' a definite crowd pleaser, followed and this was truly felt as a love song by the collection of mellow fans present. (as an aside, I was fighting a losing battle against tears on the plane ride back home while listening to my live tape of this song). This night was purely mellow and the level of appreciation that was being exchanged between the band and the crowd was all pervading. I felt as though we were all flying on the same flowered airplane with Pearl Jam serenading us. Next, the guys began 'Off He Goes,' for their Maui friends. Pearl Jam is kevalananda, transcendentally pleasing. Eddie played his guitar for more than half of the concert. He played it in 'Daughter,' again this night, with much participation by the crowd. That was very much a treat as well. Stone and Mike were phenomenal as usual. They seemed to be a bit retro with the molecular motion through out the concert as they danced and hopped around each other. I just love that!!! Meanwhile, Jeff was continuously masterful at the bass line while grooving with Jack's exotic, hypnotic drum beat. It was fun to see/hear Jeff and Stone sing back up vocals too, especially on 'Do The Evolution.' I especially love the way many of the songs begin with just Mike's expert lead guitar line then Jeff begins and Jack follows as Stone fills in the rhythm and Eddie artfully injects the most captivating melody. This was true of the next song, 'Corduroy,' as it is building to the opening crescendo and lyric. I know the guys must love this song since they played it both nights. Mike was true to form as he was jamming on his solo with a passion we could all envy.

Bodies were still being hoisted this night in the front mosh pit, yet Eddie was completely into his set list and paid little or no attention to this. It also seemed that the security guards must have found a way to keep the bodies from going over the barrier. What a relief for Pearl Jam, so they could concentrate much better on playing. The newly familiar opening guitar strains began to trickle in on 'Given To Fly.' This one is destined to inspire many as the music builds to such a high and then cradles us in the comfort zone. My tape had run out in the car. I would have to savor the next group of songs in my heart forever.

'Even Flow,' ripped the tidal wave in the crowd as they gave their obvious approval. Ten fans abound again with this, my first favorite Pearl Jam song, excellent in every performance in Maui. Another No Code cut was played, as 'Lukin,' was performed with raw passion and rage that somehow implores us to understand. I cherish this one because I can draw on this collage of feelings when I'm really pissed off, kinda like 'Animal.' I reflected back to my first attempt to enter earlier in the evening when they were frisking me and starting to take my clothes off in front of all the people in line!!!! (Don't worry. I stopped them and walked off.) Another Ten cut, 'Alive,' had us popping around with Eddie and the guys in the band. I especially dig the bouncing and spinning of the guys on this one. Eddie tells his story with such purity, we can get so into it every time, just like the first time!!!! They played 'Hail, Hail,' again, from No Code, and 'MFC,' from Yield. This song is such a transcendental gem!!! Another emerging classic! Somewhere in this mix that I do not have written down other than in my faulty memory, is Immortality from Vitalogy. ..right guys!!!???? Yah!!! That one was heavy jammin' delight to hear/see live! This concert was truly perfection. It was time for them to go off the stage now, as Eddie said. "Thanks! good night." I quickly made the decision to sacrifice watching the encore, which I anticipated would be quiet memorable, so I could get it on tape. So I dashed out to my trusty, rented Pathfinder and flipped the tape over and hit record when the guys came back out and took to their respective instruments of charm!! Yah!! I got real comfortable as I listened in the front seat to Eddie's voice. They seemed so connected tonight. They must have felt great. So another of my most favorite, favorite Pearl Jam songs was next. I heard Mike begin with the familiar light soothing and captivating chords of 'I Got ID.' I just closed my eyes and watched Eddie sing in my mind.. ... I became a large body of water. . ..waves and all and he was riding me as he sang this one. Since I had to be very quiet, so as not to mess up my taping, I could hear Eddie saying, "Let's do 'Better Man'." And that song was every bit as powerful and effective as it was last night. What a great encore and was I glad I decided to go out to the car to flip my tape. Then came the lullaby song, 'Around The Bend,' at the end of No Code. I almost drifted off as I had quite a sleep deficit, since I had only been taking two hour naps in each of the four, twenty fours I had been in Maui. . .Not yet ! No wait!. .. Eddie bid Maui farewell by saying he was thinking of moving in. . ..along with many of us who came here. Funny how we seem to be thinking alike on this one . ..As he finished speaking more Hawaiian and some final words, the guys ripped into 'State of Love and Trust,' a joyous rocking tune that sums up the feeling of this enchanting night. Not really good-bye but see you again. .. After all . . ..we are all related!

. . . ....Well, the sun is up. . .Thank you guys for 'bringing me' to Maui, had a great place to stay, gorgeous digs, now it's time to catch that wave...............

-through my eyes of love and in love with Pearl Jam, Elsa within the OM