Search - Pearl Jam :: 10/20/00 - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Middle of Nowhere

B. Harper | 03/30/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This live album of the Albuquerque concert exists as a recorded memoir of the events that occurred on a beautiful October night in the middle of nowhere. Hidden and difficult to find was the event itself, but the setting was fitting, it was as though this recording sought to enclose only the band and those who were willing to get lost along the way. Those screams and shouts of the crowd, that make the recording all the more real, are the voices of people who surrendered themselves to the moment and to the power of the music. The music speaks for itself, loud, explosive-powerful and arresting. This is what ten years have done to a band; it has united them and created a live performance that is hard to match. There are no gimmicks, just raw talent reaching out and creating art. This recording is powerful enough to take those who weren't there that night into the heart of the event. And at the same time is serves as a perfect reminder for those who were there of what happened that night, and if you close your eyes, you can even remember what you were doing before and during each song. You can remember the smell of the night and the moment when you let go of everything you believed and just existed in that moment, without limitations or boundaries."

"Off We GO"

earache68 | Indio, CA | 11/11/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A magic night in the Land of Enchantment. As we drove across the California and Arizona deserts, the thought leaked in my mind, 700 miles, no tickets...the best live band today...no contest.
From the quite strums from "of the girl" to the driving "hail, hail," Pearl Jam came to play. From the sound of it, singer Eddie Vedder also worshipped, cried and expierienced about every other human emotion on that night.
The simplicity that is "wishlist" to the haunting classic "black," inbetween, PJ intertwinded new songs, "nothing as it seems," the blistering "grievence" with choice cuts from albums past, the striking "off he goes" and the defiant "daughter."
Backed by ex-Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron, PJ is rocking good on "do the evolution," the all too short "mfc," and the tribute to the 70's hard rocking sound, "corduroy."
The encore busts out with the "V.S." classic "go" and steamrolls along with "state of love and trust," an alt favorite from the Cameron Crowe film "Singles." This extrodinary set wraps up with a trio of crowd favorites, "rvm" a rocking, pulsating gem that begs for a '67 Camaro, driving on a long empty highway. "yellow ledbetter" is a legendary Pearl Jam b-side and always a crowd favorite, although the lyrics, hardly decephirable, are changed from previous years. The moaning of regret and change are still evident, particularly in guitarist Mike McCready's heart wrenching solo.
In the finale, "ritfw," the Neil Young classic and PJ staple, Vedder, in fine voice 2+ hours later, seems to be having the time of the night, with Jesse, a boy from the audience.
This live CD will remind you why Pearl Jam set album sales records in the mid 1990's, because of their uncompromising position on pure rock and roll and their great affection for the people that got them there, the fans."

One hell of a night!

B. Harper | Portland, OR USA | 06/29/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I guess that my being at this concert has clouded my judgement about the greatness of this live album, but what the hell, huh? I actually don't remember everything I was doing at each song, etc.. like a lot of other fans always write, but it was definitely powerful. I have seen these guys three times in New Mexico and the crowds are always awesome, which brings their energy up several notches during the shows. This was no different here. From the opening "Of the Girl" to "Rockin' in the Free World" (which by the way was an event! Check the DVD for it), the show gave me all the little pieces of PJ I love. Slow, steady, fast, hard, whatever...the guys were supremely tight and on their game this night. I'm sure that many people feel that the other shows were just as good or better, but this is a good album with which to experience Pearl Jam live. If you have other albums from back East or the Midwest, I recommend this little "nugget" from the Southwest for your collection. Check it out."