pearl jam live in the netherlands (1992)

1992. roundabout the time i fell in [insert pictogram of heart here] with pearl jam. this concert, from just over 16 years ago (!), exemplifies what drew me - and many, many others - to and enamored me of the band. it's both a loose and ferocious set - at several times eddie deviates from the lyrics, pleading with the audience, their spirits enervated to the point of collective physical disinhibition, to be careful - with plenty of memorable highlights. perennial a.g. favorite, and, unfortunately, little played b-side, "alone" gets a working out; "state of love and trust," "leash," and an impromptu & a capella "hunger strike" (goddamn, that man's voice...) are all each excellent.

and then: eddie says, before the band begins playing "alive," their most recognizable hit at the time, that's he's protective of this song, because even if it's on mtv, it's his life, and he hopes that the audience will listen to it "the right way." perhaps, given that caveat, you too can strip away expectations and the accumulate history of the song, and simply listen to it here anew.

pearl jam live in utrecht, the netherlands, 4 march 1992

pearl jam - 01 release
pearl jam - 02 even flow
pearl jam - 03 why go
pearl jam - 04 jeremy
pearl jam - 05 deep
pearl jam - 06 alive
pearl jam - 07 black
pearl jam - 08 state of love and trust
pearl jam - 09 once
pearl jam - 10 improv jam I
pearl jam - 11 porch
pearl jam - 12 improv jam II
pearl jam - 13 alone
pearl jam - 14 leash
pearl jam - 15 hunger strike
pearl jam - 16 garden