Search - Pearl Jam :: Mansfield Ma: July 11th 2003

Gives me goosebumps

Would-RVM245 | Grafton, MA | 12/09/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After a bit of last minute rushing around (including a strange run-in with a couple of jerk parking lot attendants), I was lucky enough to attend this show, and it was more than worth both the overpriced ticket and the afformentioned difficulties. PJ made good on their promist to cover as much of their catalog as possible and both the band and the crowd got quite a workout. Starting in the late afternoon with an acoustic set (disc 1), the band offered a nice laid back mix of old favorites and rarities highlighted by some of my personal favorites like "Footsteps", "Off He Goes", "Drifting", "Thin Air", and ending with a powerful version of "Indifference". Then after an OK Sleater-Kinney performance, the fun really started. With Great Woods' stupid time restraints, the boys had to hurry through the set, but it ended up being a good thing as the sped-up versions of songs like "Brain of J", "Why Go", "Spin the Black Circle", and "Given to Fly" were even more powerful than usual. They slowed it down a bit and Eddie interacted with the crowd, asking for our help to sing along with the end of "Wishlist" and then went into the Man trilogy, in which the entire crowd took over on lead vocals for "Betterman". Listening to it now makes me tingle. The 3rd set included a great rendition of "Breath" and an even better version of "Habit". Then they closed the 3rd set with "Black" & "Jeremy", the latter in which we all were reminded why we loved this band in the first place as we all belted out the final "Oooooooooohhhhhhoohhhoooo!" (very loud and accurately I might add). After being joined by SK for the Encore version of CCR's "Fortunate Son" they teased us with a one note song, and sent us all home satisfied with the only song they repeated over the 3 shows they played at Mansfield, "Yellow Ledbetter". This was one of the most incredible shows I have ever attended and I was so pleased to learn the bootleg was out. I listen to this constantly despite my usual distaste for live albums, and I never get sick of it. It is a great reminder of a great night, and the set list is so good that it is still worth the price of the set even if I hadn't been there. Any PJ fan would have enjoyed the show, and luckily for those who missed it, the excitement is captured here. Simply a great show."

When "epic" isn't strong enough, part II

J. N. Mohlman | Barrington, RI USA | 09/20/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Earlier this year, Pearl Jam played a monster 37 song set at Penn State; loaded with material from their entire catalog, it looked like a show that would never be surpassed, either in quality or quantity. But then came the three shows in Mansfield, MA, where Pearl Jam decided to play all the songs they worked up for the tour (approximately 105, including covers). Only problem was, they got behind schedule, which necessitated a forty-four song marathon final show that included an eleven song acoustic "pre-set". For my money, State College is still the greatest Pearl Jam show ever, because it was spontaneous and the crowd was absolutely nuts. However, the opportunity to hear approximately a quarter of Pearl Jam's catalog in one show is not to be missed, and there are some absolute gems from this show. Obviously, I can't touch on every song here, but I'm going to do my best to touch on the highlights.The acoustic set kicks off with a haunting version of "Of the Girl"; Ed's voice is perfect and the band is tight. I actually prefer this version to the album. Next is "Sometimes" off "No Code"; I never would have thought this song would play well live, but it is one of the highlights of the acoustic set. "Off He Goes" always sounds great acoustic, and this version is no exception, as once again Ed brings his vocal `A-game'. "All Those Yesterdays" is one of my favorites off "Yield", but I wouldn't have thought it would sound good acoustically. I couldn't have been more wrong, it is both completely different from, and every bit as good as, the studio version. Next up is a true rarity in the Christmas single "Drifting". A simple but engaging song has Stone's fingerprints all over it. After "Drifting" came "Thin Air" which debuted acoustically (at the Bridge School Benefit) and it still sounds best that way; a beautiful rendition. "Sleight of Hand" surprised me; it's definitely not one of my favorites, and considering how loaded with atmospherics it is, I never would have guessed Pearl Jam would play it acoustically. However, in this stripped down version it is a lot more powerful, placing much greater emphasis on the lyrics. It's still not one of my favorites, but this version is light years ahead of the one on the album."Footsteps" is always great, and is even more so acoustic; enough said. "All or None" sounds like they are playing in a club for 200 people instead of an amphitheater for 20,000. Mike does cheat and break out an electric guitar, but his impersonation of Hendrix playing the blues more than makes up for the technical breach! "Parting Ways" is a song that has become one of my favorites the more I listen to "Binaural", and this version does not disappoint; absolutely stunning. Finally, the acoustic set ends with "Indifference", which is superb; it sounded like it was written ten days ago rather than ten years.Which brings us to the main set; it starts out with "Can't Keep" which is a little slow, but still a nice version. After a pretty standard "Breakerfall" the crowd is treated to perhaps the worst version of "Brain of J" ever played; it is an absolute mess, and the definite low-point of the album. However, the band redeems themselves with a tight, fast version of "Spin the Black Circle" and a nice rendition of "Ghost". "Green Disease" features some great vocals from Ed, and "Tremor Christ" is just amazing for yet another song I never would have thought would play well live."Given to Fly" is a beautiful soaring rendition, followed by solid cuts of "Nothing as it Seems" and "Cropduster". "Faithfull" is another one of my favorites, and this version is one of the highlights of the show; absolutely beautiful. Next "Why Go" makes an appearance after a seven year hiatus, and the crowd goes nuts. Rightfully so, it's an absolute scorcher and Jeff just goes off for the whole song. "Wishlist" starts off an absolute mess, but is redeemed by an incredible jam, and a sing along of "Why Can't I Touch It". This is both the worst and best version of "Wishlist" that I've ever heard at the same time.Next up is the "Man" trilogy ("Leatherman", "Nothingman", "Betterman") the highlight of which is the crowd singing the entire first verse of Betterman. "1/2 Full" is solid, and "MFC" (including the intro off "Live on Two Legs") features some superb guitar work. Finally, the main set ends with an absolutely scorching version of "Blood"The first encore features perhaps the most remarkable series of six songs that Pearl Jam has ever played. First off is a fantastic version of "Breath" that is all the more amazing because Ed actually remembers all the words. Next is "Habit" which features a pregnant pause before the last chorus and an incredible outro. "Down" is a b-side that should have made the last album, and which I like more and more every time I hear it. Then there is "Mankind" which features solid vocals from Stone, and as always, a few laughs. After that comes "U" a stupid, but fun b-side that never fails to entertain. "Black" wraps up the six songs I mentioned with Ed absolutely owning the vocals and Stone and Mike going off during the exit. The first encore then concludes with a solid version of "Jeremy".The highlight of the second encore is the cover of the Clash's "Know Your Rights"; it's absolutely incredible as Ed sings like a man possessed. Unfortunately, they then invite Sleater-Kinney on to the stage, who proceed to ruin two of my favorite covers, "Fortunate Son" and "Rockin' in the Free World"; their vocalist has a voice like a rusty chainsaw, and there is no redeeming it.The show wraps up with "Yellow Ledbetter", and I'm out of space.Enjoy!Jake Mohlman"

A must for Pearl Jam fans

hassenfeffer | Hammond, In | 04/05/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This terrific cd shows why people still come to Pearl Jam's live shows. They still have not "lost it."(...)
In this unusual setup, Pearl Jam was their own opening act, so to speak. They came out early to do a (mostly) acoustic set for almost an hour. Following the performance of their real opening act (Sleater-Kinney), they returned for their main set, for about another two-and-a-half hours!
Disc one includes the acoustic set. Eddie Vedder thanks the crowd for coming early "to the experiment". The set starts with the lesser-known "Long Road." This song is so good,one wonders why it isn't on one of their regular albums. Excellent versions of "All Those Yesterdays", "Thin Air", and the b-side "Footsteps" are included.
The main set is included in thier entirety on the second and third discs (except for "Arc", which isn't on any of the live cds).
This tour was in support of the "Riot Act" album, and killer versions of songs from that album appear here. "Can't Keep", "Ghost", and "Cropduster", for examlple, show why "Riot Act" ranks among their best albums. (...)
PJ include a wide variety of songs from thier entire catalog here, and do them well. Big hits, album cuts, b-sides, songs that only PJ fans know all appear here.
The "man" trilogy appears here, highlighted by the crowd singing along with "Betterman". Proof positive That PJ still thrills and excites their audience. Even early fan favorites such as "Blood", and "Jeremy" are still played to the hilt. There is no "walking through" these songs,even after having played them a zillion times over the years.
Sleater-Kinney return to play CCR's "Fortunate Son" and Neil Young's "Rockin'in the Free World" with PJ. The set finishes with "Yellow Leddbetter."
Filled with outstanding live material, this 3 cd set is a "must own" for any and all Pearl Jam fans."