Set List: Of The Girl, Do The Evolution, Hail Hail, Grievance, Corduroy, Off He Goes, Given To Fly, Nothing As It Seems, Evacuation, Wishlist, Untitled, MFC, Habit, In My Tree, Daughter/(WMA), Insignificance, Better Man, Black;
1st encore: Go, State of Love and Trust, Even Flow, Small Town, Whipping, Rearviewmirror;
2nd encore: Yellow Ledbetter, Rockin' In The Free World

I am not a very good concert reviewer because I have a tendency to forget what songs were played in what order. Besides, you can read the setlist right here... at this website. That being said, I would just like to give my personal impressions of the show in Albuquerque, N.M. I find that a Pearl Jam show is much more than just a rock concert... it is an event. The venue in New Mexico was small and nicely tucked away on a desert mesa just south of Albuquerque. A beautiful, friendly setting that truly fits the event such as a Pearl Jam live show. We found our way to our seats in the third row, amongst the Ten Club faithful. The desert air was filled with the anticipation of the arrival of our beloved friends. We were entertained by the great set Supergrass played.

When Pearl Jam took the stage, I felt like it was seeing that really good friend, or that really cool Uncle or cousin that you hardly ever get to see anymore. But, you know you can immediately connect with since their last visit. A kindred spirit that I hope all of us feel. Now, I realize that I don't know them and they don't know me, but for that 2 hours that we spent together, I feel like we do know each other.

There, under the cool, crisp, desert sky, they played the songs we know and love. We sang and danced together. At one point, a news helicopter, flying overhead, lit the crowd with its NightSun spotlight and Ed waved up to them. The sound of the copter's blades were silent among the sounds coming from the stage. It was a little surreal, almost dreamlike, truly memorable.

One of the things that I appreciate about this band is that I feel that they care for us... that they care about me. After their main set, they came out for their encore and Ed said that he had found out that this was the last show of this venue's season and they will 'Go out big.' Making it a special night for all of us. Ed takes the time to talk to and touch those of us in the front row, Mike smiles and talks to those of us within earshot and Jeff and Stone nod and wink letting us know that we are one and Matt tosses out his drumsticks to some of us lucky fans.

Photo credit: DCPearl@aol.com

During the final song, Neil Young's 'Rockin' In The Free World,' Ed welcomes a new found friend, Jesse, onstage to rock out to this powerful song. Jesse looks to be about 9 or 10 years old and Ed hoists him up upon his shoulders and dances with him. Jesse actually closed the show by pounding Matt's cymbal. Little Jesse walked away from the show with Ed's wristband and Matt's drumsticks and more important than those physical souvenirs, the most incredible life experience any of us can ever imagine... he can tell the story of the night he jammed with Pearl Jam to his friends and acquaintances for the rest of his life. I can imagine that Jesse has gotten an A+ on his show and tell the following Monday.

It is those kinds of caring acts that solidify my love of this band. It's the music, it's the words, it's the love that they give to all of us and receive from all of us.

Finally, after the last note is played and the last 'good-bye' is said, I have a good feeling inside... a feeling I cannot express but I am certain that my brothers and sisters also feel... we had a little visit from our friends and we know that they will forever live inside us through their music. So, thank you Stone, thank you Jeff, thank you Ed, thank you Mike and thank you Matt for sharing the past 2 hours with me and my 12,000 or so friends in the desert Southwest. Two hours that will forever kept in our hearts and our thoughts.

CosmoPuke@pearljam-kickass.com