Better Men, Day 2: Pearl Jam, New York City, 6/25/08

Can't find a better show.

I'm seriously at a loss for words. Maybe it's writer's block or maybe I'm still in awe from what I experienced last night. I've never felt the floors at The Garden shake like they did yesterday. It would have probably registered a 4 or 5 on the Richter Scale. The crowd was deafening. The camaraderie amongst the audience was inexpressible. PJ fans are unquestionably amongst the most devout fans in the world; and yes, I'm including the Dead and Phish in that category. The songs: they played "State of Love and Trust," one of my all-time favorites. They played "Corduroy," "Daughter," "Alive," "Evenflow," "Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town", "Leash," "Better Man," "Garden," "Yellow Ledbetter," "Last Kiss" (which was played facing the back of the arena for the obstructed view folks), and "Why Go." The legendary Ace Frehley joined the band for Kiss's "Black Diamond." C.J. Ramone made a reappearance as well. There were dedications to George Carlin and the troops abroad. The band made mistakes, lyrics were bungled, songs were re-started. It didn't matter. They were flawless.

The show ended with Mike McCready nailing the Star-Spangled Banner/Taps a la Jimi Hendrix - I will never forget this. And then, it was over.

Pearl Jam
Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
6/25/08

First Set: Release, World Wide Suicide, Severed Hand, Corduroy, All Night, Cropduster, Garden, Marker In The Sand, I'm Open, Wishlist, State Of Love And Trust, Even Flow, Who You Are, Rats, Given To Fly, Do The Evolution, Go

Encore #1: Inside Job, W.M.A., Lukin, I Believe In Miracles (w/ C.J. Ramone), Better Man (Save it for Later), Rearviewmirror

Encore #2: No More, Last Kiss, Why Go, Black Diamond (w/ Ace Frehley on lead guitar, Matt Cameron on lead vocals), Alive, Yellow Ledbetter, Star-Spangled Banner/Taps (Mike McCready guitar solo)