Pearl Jam: Live At The Showbox

Reviewed by: Erik Swift July 2004

For the duration of a decade-plus existence, Pearl Jam has been the sort of band that goes the extra mile for their fans. If they’re not taking on the Ticketmaster monolith to lower ticket prices, they’re releasing entire tours as authorized bootlegs. The band annually makes available exclusive recordings as holiday gifts to members of Tenclub, which is actually the only place you can get “Live At The Showbox,” a hometown benefit show the Seattle band filmed nearly a month after the November 12, 2002 release of their sixth album, “Riot Act.”

Helmed by Liz Burns, Steve Gordon and Kevin Shuss (the crew that filmed “Touring Band 2000” and “Live At the Garden”) lead singer Eddie Vedder first appears with a crammed lyric notebook. Noticeably overflowing, he sure needed it during this second of two evenings at the intimate Showbox. It’s a rare chance to see the quintet premiere songs for the first time in public and then screw them up in a special setting. For a band that has prides itself on varying sets nightly, the show veers from being incredibly unprofessional at times (when a rambling Vedder apologizes to a neighbor that may or may not be there) to just balls-out rock and roll (the interaction between guitarists Mike Macready and Stone Gossard during an astonishing “Save You”).

Kicking it off with an interesting intro to “Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town,” the set continues softly with a mellow “Off He Goes” (bolstered by Macready) and the debut performance of “Thumbing My Way” but gradually shifts into high gear on “Breakerfall.” The new material is justly given the spotlight, and “Half Full” is its pinnacle. Bearing such electricity from Macready, the song visibly blows the crowd away. The choppy, motoring riffs of “You Are” is another highlight, and new addition Kenneth ‘Boom’ Gaspar does memorable work on the Hammond organ during the moody “Love Boat Captain.” A native Hawaiian surf buddy of Vedder’s, his addition to the Pearl Jam touring lineup is also felt on “Don’t Believe In Christmas.” A rocking cover originally from Tacoma’s garage-rock gods the Sonics, its whizzing brevity parallels the all-too-brief 123-minute DVD it closes.

A hit-filled catalog isn’t overlooked. Jeff Ament’s chugging bass propels a mean “Rearviewmirror” and Matt Cameron’s meaningful drumming turns “Insignificance” (at best, one of Pearl Jam’s average songs) into a number that deserves more attention. Tossing a few outside lyrics into “Daughter” is nothing new, but Vedder’s powerful delivery of the chorus of Edwin Starr’s “War” here would make the E Street Band run for cover.

The bootleg quality shooting of “Live At The Showbox” works in its favor, because the 24 songs are such a gift to view and hear. The only visible advantage the audience had that night is being able to see Gossard. The camera placed in the rear of the venue can’t quite cover the entire stage during its wide shots, so the guitarist is missing for most of the show. The high-quality performance and audio make up for it, and are any DVD extras really required here? Visit http://www.tenclub.net - for $15, it’s a steal.

Reviewer’s Opinion: BUY IT!!