Set List: Release, Corduroy, Grievance, Gods' Dice, Animal, Red Mosquito, Nothing As It Seems, Given To Fly, Wishlist, Small Town, In Hiding, Even Flow, Light Years, MFC, Lukin, Not For You, Better Man, Leatherman, Nothingman, Do The Evolution, Insignificance, Black, Parting Ways;
1st encore: Sleight of Hand, Soldier of Love, Crazy Mary, Jeremy, Rearviewmirror;
2nd encore: Soon Forget, Baba O'Riley

The band appeared to be fueled up and ready to go after last nights show in 30 degree weather. Eddie commented that he couldn't believe so many people had showed up at Alpine in the cold, and guessed that "there were about one thousand people for every degree of temperature there." He warned the crowd that tonight might be "a long one." Pearl Jam's Chicago shows always seem to have something special, with Eddie being a hometown boy. Last night did not disappoint. We were treated to rare treats, including Crazy Mary, Soldier of Love, and the "Man song trilogy" of Betterman, Nothingman, and an impressive Leatherman. The band was loose and seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely, which fueled the crowd. They had several band huddles to decide what to play, and Eddie commented that "we usually set about 17 songs, and then figure out what to do after that. Well, now we're at about 22." And that was before the two encores started. I think the total playlist was around thirty, and they played for about 2 and a half hours.

Even though I've seen it live five times now, Even Flow just blew me away. Mike was unbelievable. The rest of the band just watched in amazement, as we all did. A revamped Rearviewmirror is a tour de force as a set closer, but the second encore was more than I could have ever imagined. First, we were treated to Eddie and his ukulele, and "Soon Forget." Then, what I had been waiting for all night.... Promising that we would be on a record if we sang loud enough, I heard the opening chords of the Who classic Baba O'Riley as all the house lights came up. Everyone sang their lungs out, and the feeling was incredible. There was a great vibe all night, a true sense of not just being AT a concert, and not just WATCHING a show, but truly being a PART of something. It was transcendentalism through music. Some may snicker at that comment, but I truly believe music has the power to heal the mind, body, and soul.

I've seen the band five times now, and just about every other band under the sun, but this show ranks near the top of them all. (Perhaps just below their '93 fan club gig at the New Regal Theater in Chicago, where Eddie climbed the walls and dove about 15 feet into the crowd during porch. That was the most amazing thing I've ever seen. If anyone has a boot of that show (march "93), PLEASE E-MAIL ME!!

A big thanks to the band for putting on a great live show, and sharing a great evening of music and camaraderie. Here's hoping to see you again soon.

Nathan J. Bayer
nathan.bayer@milwlaw.com