Live at Benaroya Hall Oct. 22, 2003 [Digipak] - Pearl Jam (CD 2004)

So many Pearl Jam shows to choose from. How does one decide which to buy? Well, Pearl Jam has just made things slightly easier. If you happen to be in the mood for a more laid back concert, you're in luck. In 2003, they recorded an all-acoustic show, now available on two discs. Live At Benaroya Hall shows the band slowing the pace for nearly an entire album, creating a concert that is an obvious standout in their massive collection.

The show begins with a bluesy Of The Girl rendition. It's by no means a popular Pearl Jam tune, but it works as a great opener, not just sonically but also because it shows what kind of concert this will be: a showcase not of hits but of lesser known fan favorites. In fact, as far as hits go, the biggest are Daughter (which jams into Beatles tunes and introductions to the band members), Black (which features stirring crowd participation when Eddie lets the fans take over on the best breakup line ever), and the closing Yellow Ledbetter. Other than that, we're treated to more unfamiliar tunes, something that truly follows the Pearl Jam spirit.

Much of the album features mellower, unreleased album tracks, songs you'll be familiar with if you own the albums. Riot Act's most gorgeous number Thumbing My Way is rightfully included, as are Low Light, Off He Goes, and Thin Air, other lesser known tracks I absolutley love. Stripped down, Immortality remains as haunting as ever; same goes for Crazy Mary. One problem, however, is that with so many mellow numbers, some get lost. For example, All Or None is a wonderful song, but doesn't stand out as much as it would in a normal concert. I guess it just takes a little more listening to capture the power of a few tracks.

The album's single Man of the Hour is another beautiful addition to the set. This was originally written for the movie Big Fish, an excellent film illustrated nicely by this song. Vedder's voice is deep and commanding as that of the father in Big Fish, though he keeps it soft enough to retain the thoughtful mood. "And the man of the hour's taking his final bow," is a line that can have meaning for many different people, making this song one that's easy to relate to.

My one complaint is that we don't get enough acoustic takes on some of their heavier songs. Their original Unplugged concert featured renditions of Porch, Evenflow, State of Love and Trust, and so on. Benaroya gives us only the barely-a-minute Lukin (a good bit of comic relief) and the lively Down from the Lost Dogs collection. I would have loved to hear a new take on MFC or Insignificance. Instead the setlist is comprised mainly of songs that are soft to begin with. This effectively keeps the atmosphere in tact, but I would have liked that to have been broken up occasionally.

The lack of heavy hitters is made up for with covers. Another angry rendition of Dylan's Masters of War takes on a whole new meaning in light of current affairs. The Ramones' I Believe In Miracles gets a sweet, soaring reworking. Towards the end of the set, they pay tribute to the late great Johnny Cash with a massively rousing 25 Minutes To Go, showing off their versatility with this rocking country song. I'm glad the covers pick up the pace, but it still would have been cooler had they tossed some more upbeat originals into the mix.

But despite that, this is an excellent live album, one that will provide a more consistent ambiance than others. Live At Benaroya Hall is certainly worth a listen, mainly because I think this is how Pearl Jam really wants to be heard right now.



Also from Pearl Jam:

Full Lengths: Ten / Vs. / Vitalogy / No Code / Yield / Binaural / Riot Act / Lost Dogs / Pearl Jam

Singles: Even Flow / Jeremy / Oceans / Daughter / Go / Spin the Black Circle / Not For You / Merkin Ball / Who You Are / Wishlist / Last Kiss / Nothing As It Seems / Save You

Live: Hartford, CT 9-13-98 / Saratoga, NY 8-27-00

DVD: Touring Band 2000 / Live At the Garden / Immagine in Cornice

Books: Five Against One by Kim Neely / Star Profile


::: Looking to trade some live Pearl Jam shows? Leave me a comment or email mreno81@yahoo.com. :::