Sunday, August 23, 2009

A Lazy Pearl Jam Sunday

I like to waste my Sundays sitting around reading the paper and listening to the radio.  I can't be the only one.  So, how about a couple of reviews and interviews?







REVIEWS




The London Evening Standard




To the delight of an audience including actors Josh Brolin, Jonah Hill, Tim Robbins (to whom Vedder dedicated Blood) and Diane Lane, they embraced old and new.

During the elderly Even Flow, Mike McCready's guitar solo lasted so long Vedder had time to smoke a cigarette. They are Pearl Jam; they are above the law.

The new material sizzled too, particularly the fierce Got Some and, on its live debut, Supersonic.





The Toronto Star



With the Pharmacists frontman Ted Leo stuck at the border – passport issues, reportedly – the Seattle alt-rockers decided to help out with a six-song acoustic set.

Alone on guitar, a seated Eddie Vedder captivated with Neil Young's "Sugar Mountain" and "The Needle and the Damage Done," demonstrating the versatility he would later not-so-humbly note – "He can play acoustic. He can play electric. He can f---ing sing."

Guitarists Mike McCready and Stone Gossard also pitched in with solo stints before the Pharmacists had their turn with McCready and Vedder.

 







INTERVIEWS




Eddie Speaks with Alan Cross on Explore Music

Eddie is happier these days now that his man is in the White House. In fact, he proudly displays an Obama portrait at his home outside Seattle. He’s relaxed, rejuvenated and re-focussed, a far cry from the 90s dude who had a tough time dealing with the pressures and obligations that came with being one of the Holy Trinity of Grunge. Pearl Jam, are the sole survivors of that trinity.

Pearl Jam’s new album, Backspacer (named after a turtle, or vice-versa), will be out on September 20th. Ahead of that, the band went out to road test some of the new material.

Before a show in Toronto, I met up with Eddie backstage. And knowing that he’s is a big fan of wine, I brought a bottle of a fine Canadian syrah and a couple of glasses.



Mike Speaks with FM 102.1 Milwaukee



Mike McCready mentioned during an interview recently that there is a chance a longer version of “The Fixer” could be released at some point.  He also revealed that the title of Pearl Jam’s Backspacer was based off of Eddie Vedder writing his lyrics on a typewriter.  Mike also said Boom will be touring with the band but Brendan O’Brien plays keyboards on Backspacer.  Here is the interview.