All acoustic set: Surfin' USA, Brian Wilson with backup by Ed, Sheryl Crow, Neil Young.
PJ Set List: Soldier of Love, Wishlist, New Song, Small Town, Footsteps, Last Kiss, Yellow Ledbetter
End Jam: I Shall Be Released by Bob Dylan

Jen C. (jencola@flash.net):
The 2 questions of the evening were: what's in Stone's backpack? and why couldn't PJ have played longer? This show was pretty incredible from start to finish, as it usually is. The positive energy of the night seems to inspire great performances, and PJ was no exception. Something about them playing acoustic takes the music to a whole new level.

The "new song" sounds beautiful - dare I say more romantic than usual? Ed looked and sounded so incredible that even my hip-hop-loving boyfriend had to concede that Ed just rocks. The short set left me lingering for more, with only seven songs - though I appreciate that they played a shorter set to accommodate all the other great acts of the evening. But I am waiting with baited breath for new PJ music...new shows...smaller venues??? Is it possible to do more shows at smaller venues? Or a mix of shows to accommodate all the fans, younger and not-getting-any-younger? That is at the top of my wishlist. Regardless, I flew up from LA to see this show, and it was worth every penny. Thanks for always standing for the cause and reminding us of why we are fans.

Imadonut10@aol.com:
Over 2 days, we were treated to 12 different Pearl Jam tunes, including 2 new songs. "Last Kiss" and "Wishlist" were the only songs performed at both shows. Once again, it is hard, if not impossible to put into words what you hear, see and feel from live Pearl Jam.

The highest of highlights over the 2 days started when Ed came out during Brian Wilson's "Surf City USA," helping with the chorus. What a treat, to see and hear. Then, all 5 members were on stage to perform. Ed center stage with Matt behind him. Stone to Ed's left, Mike just to Ed's right with Jeff behind Mike. To see them play so close together, live was a new experience.

The first night, a new song was played for the 3rd song. I am not one to rush them on their new album. I did not even know if I was ready for a new album, but the new song, so unique, as are all PJ songs, and romantic made me join the group that hungers for the new album. The song was beautiful. I think it will become one of my favorites of the favorites.

My favorite of the night was "Footsteps." The back beat started with the drum and guitar, slow, very slow. Then Ed sang the story, slow, very slow. It was perfect, it was bluesy, "it was you." That, following "Elderly Woman..." had the goosebump chill factor up to 10.

They ended the night with "Yellow Ledbetter." Mike bent over down by the amp and did his Mike thing.

Even though the crowd recognized and responded to "Last Kiss," that night, you had to think they recognized the genius we have all followed over the years. This was a perfect acoustic set list.

DAY 2
The second night started with another new song. This one I call "Nothing As It Seems." Ok, now this is already also on my favorite of favorites. I started to choke up during it. The next song, "Daughter," started uncharacteristically with a drum beat. Now I am bawling. At the end, Ed takes out a blue, plastic tube and does his mini-megaphone for "the shades go down." No tag, just some emotional scatting, shall we say.

Next, "Wishlist," Eddie got the line he missed on Saturday, referring to the 14 children "with arms upraised" attending the Bridge School. With "Better Man" you could see the tightness of the whole band strumming together, like they were going to take off into a reggae beat.

Then Ed made a reference to how great it was to see "The Who" members and Mike broke into "Pinball Wizard." Ed threw a pick at him. Ed dedicated "Off He Goes" to Keith Moon.

"Black got the first standing ovation that night from the whole front section. (Some angel gave me her ticket around 5:30 as she left to the 101 section--whoever, wherever you are, bless you and thank you). How well we all know this song. Ed missed the "all I taught her" line. It was funny to realize we all listen to a song this man wrote the lyrics to, much more than he does as evidenced by the next time the line came up, Ed sang, "and all I taught her was everything" and then said, "it's been awhile." Mike went into one of his goosebump raising solos. He had a silver 1/2 mask on for Halloween with no visible eyeholes, which proves what we all know, that Mike can play blindfolded.

Ed addresses the children seated behind the band, they have all gotten to know over the years. He points to Alan, who both nights, seems to be enjoying himself the most. Alan shows his delight. Then he dedicates the next song to a female student. He turns around and sings "Last Kiss" to her. It was a beautiful end to 2 great days of music.
P.S. Anyone have a good tape????????
Donut

Matt Milligan (gez2478@breathemail.net):
Great gig. I watched it on webcast and this was the first time that I had seen them live (except Reading '95, without Ed supporting Neil). Yellow Ledbetter, Soldier of Love, Wishlist, Last Kiss, Footsteps and the new song were awesome. Well worth staying up until 4am in Kent, England. Look forward to the new album.