Set List: Last Kiss (Ed solo), Better Man, Watch Outside by Mono Men, Driven To Tears by The Police, Running Out Of Time by Dead Moon, I'm Not Ready by Bernie Torme, Love/Building On Fire by Talking Heads, I Am A Patriot by Steven Van Zandt (faster punky version)

Andrew Fleming (andrew-fleming@email.msn.com):
My buddy and I drove up Saturday night from St. Louis and could not find a place to stay until we got to Milwaukee. It rained and rained and rained. We went to the store and bought ponchos. Alpine Valley was our next stop. We got there on the two lane highway and it's in the middle of no where. It was one of the worst venues I have seen Pearl Jam in. Excuse me (seen Eddie in). The parking lot was a field and it sucked because it was all mud. We sloshed our way into the show and sat down. We were on the way right of the stage and watched the show.

While Otis Rush was playing, Ed came and stood near the right corner of the stage where we were. A few people went to shake his hand and by the time we did, security shoved us back. While Ed stood there, we tried to get his attention. Finally as he was lighting a cigarette, we waved and he waved back. Right there it was all worth it. The Cult played. (I think Jim Morrison was on vocals.) Anyway Ed finally came on stage alone.

He started a clap with the audience and got them into the beat for Last Kiss. He played it solo with just his guitar. Then he took two guys up from the crowd to play bass and drums. We knew it was an act because these were the guys on stage with him before the set. It fooled the crowd and they proceeded to play Better Man. Then Ed and these guys (a band called C-Average) played a few more songs of which I am embarrassed to say I did not know. Then Ed let everyone in on his joke. Finally they played Patriot. They played a fast version which was alright until Ed wanted to slow down the part about "I ain't no Communist" etc., but the band didn't slow down right away. But it still was a good version.

I must admit it was well worth the drive and pouring rain to see Ed but Alpine Valley sucks. After Ed, we had to leave but barely got out because a zillion cars were stuck in the mud and some parked bumper to bumper. I feel sorry for those people leaving tonight. I saw PJ's head of security but no one from the band. All in all it was awesome to have Ed acknowledge us. That's twice now. Once there and once in St. Louis, he saluted us. I have seen a lot of shows and will see more. I only wish I could have met him or ran up and shook his hand but I reacted too late. I would have had him say hi to my girlfriend into my tape recorder. I left her at home to come to the show. Good job, Ed. We loved it.

Raulie Ruiz (ruizr@carleton.edu):
I was at the Tibetan Freedom Concert last night, and I saw you guys didn't have a complete set list yet, so I figured I'd send it your way.

Last Kiss (Ed solo with crowd keeping beat)
Better Man
Watch Outside (by Mono Men)
Driven To Tears (The Police)
Running Out of Time (Dead Moon)
I'm Not Ready (I'm pretty sure this is by Bernie Torme)
Love/Building on Fire (Talking Heads)
I Am a Patriot (faster punky version. really really good)

This was a really exciting performance and Ed was clearly very happy to be playing. There was plenty of grinning on stage, and this was the first time that the crowd was really into anything at the concert. Eddie jumped around quite a bit and showed off plenty of Pete Townshend moves... a very fun, high energy performance. I thought the beauty of the show was the simplicity of their set: a drumkit, a bass w/amp, two guitars for Ed, and a plain old Fender amp with Ed adjusting his levels as each song required. It all sounded very pure and very raw.