Though vocalist Eddie Vedder holds the spotlight for most Pearl Jam shows, and rightly so--he's what makes the band so extraordinary--he is forced to share it in Salzburg with guitarist Mike McCready, who steps out with so... more »me incredible solos. Maybe it's the recording from this particular show, perhaps McCready's louder in the mix, but he absolutely shines on tunes like "State of Love and Trust," "Even Flow," and the final song of the encore, a passionate interpretation of Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World." "Daughter," which ordinarily melds into some sort of improv in the middle jam section, morphs into Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall," with the crowd singing along. There's even a little quiet guitar and vocal improv after "Leatherman" that could very well develop into a song for a future Pearl Jam album. "Not for You," from Vitalogy, makes a rare appearance in the set, along with a couple of less-common tunes, "Present Tense" from No Code and "God's Dice" from Binaural. --Adem Tepedelen« less
Though vocalist Eddie Vedder holds the spotlight for most Pearl Jam shows, and rightly so--he's what makes the band so extraordinary--he is forced to share it in Salzburg with guitarist Mike McCready, who steps out with some incredible solos. Maybe it's the recording from this particular show, perhaps McCready's louder in the mix, but he absolutely shines on tunes like "State of Love and Trust," "Even Flow," and the final song of the encore, a passionate interpretation of Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World." "Daughter," which ordinarily melds into some sort of improv in the middle jam section, morphs into Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall," with the crowd singing along. There's even a little quiet guitar and vocal improv after "Leatherman" that could very well develop into a song for a future Pearl Jam album. "Not for You," from Vitalogy, makes a rare appearance in the set, along with a couple of less-common tunes, "Present Tense" from No Code and "God's Dice" from Binaural. --Adem Tepedelen
CD Reviews
They rule!
tschoess | Amstetten | 09/29/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm from Austria and I saw the gig. When I heard that PJ will release a CD from every European concert I went really mad! To see the gig (the first time PJ played in Austria) was a dream come true but to keep the event forever on CD is unbelievable. I will sure buy some more gigs to cover more of the songs, although the setlist in Salzburg was brilliant."
What a great show!
09/27/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Yesterday I bought this set along with the one from Milan. Although the Milan one is better due to the energetic crowd, this one is amazing too. The guitar on the whole album, especially on Even Flow, is some of the best I've heard. The set list is practically a greatest-hits album from Pearl Jam, containing Even Flow, Black, Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town, Go, Animal, Wish List, Better Man, Do the Evolution, and some great newer songs (my favorite being Nothing as it Seems). I also like the Daughter/Another Brick in the Wall/W.M.A. medley (listed only as Daughter on the back of the CD). You should definitely buy this!!!"
Not For You?..Oh Yes It Is!
PJM | 09/27/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Pretty good album. The usual crowd pleasers like Corduroy and Alive rock, but they also throw in a few treats like Leatherman, Lukin, and Not For You. Eddie Vedder goes on to tell the crowd why they went along and played in Austria, despite the dislike for the governmental situation going on over there. It's not as good as Paris or Milan, but it's damn close. This album stands on its two legs just fine."
Attitude Lacking
PJM | Knoxville, TN United States | 08/05/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Musically, this show is one of the best of the European Series. Everyone is firing on all cylinders, the crowd is happy and appreciative, and the atmosphere (a European city square at night)must have been wonderful. And then...politics rears it's ugly head. Playing in Austria for the fans in the face of the somewhat ugly national elections was a noble gesture on the band's part. Unfortunately Eddie Vedder undoes a great deal of good will by voicing his (and presumably the band's) disapproval of the election's outcome in a juvenile manner more befitting a junior high school student rather than a man in his mid 30's. A sour note in an other wise great performance. If you can ignore the rant, however, the playing is worth the money."
Track Listings (17) - Disc #1