The weekend was the first reunion of three high school buddies gone off to their respective colleges, and what better way to reunite than with a PJ show? As we pulled into Charlotte, not knowing where we were or where we were going, we asked directions a few times and we got the vague idea. When we were in the close proximity to the venue, we decided to take the only parking which we saw. We did not know how far the venue was from the lot, so we took a chance. After only about a half-mile walk we saw the sign : "Pearl Jam 6:30 tonite" and we could feel the magic in the air. Taking a round about way to enter, we roamed behind it by the band bus. We had an immitation Eddie sighting who Quinn and Pete sweared was him, but I assured them otherwise. This was reconfirmed when we saw him on stage between openings with a radio and we all agreed that they were just trigger happy to see the band.

After approaching the entrance, we were met by friendly ticket takers and security officers, who were in disguise of fraternity boys. Go figure. We parused the T-shirt stand and made a few purchases. It was a great thing the band did by offering unique to the show T-shirts with a sticker. The picture on the T-shirt was the one of a boxer up against the ring ropes, and some guys around us were heard saying that they wanted a sticker, but not a shirt with a guy and a "dick" on the shirt. Quinn assured them that it was not a dick, but ropes from a boxing ring. As we approached the stairs leading to the general admission floor, we noticed that a stand was selling tokens. We asked what the tokens were for, and apparently, they were the way to purchase drinks, beer, food, etc.. on the floor. So naively, we each bought 5$ worth of tokens, not knowing that we would be stuck in the middle of 10,000 people not able to leave without giving up a good spot for the show. So basically, the tokens were another scheme to rip off the public. Not a band sponsored idea, I'm sure. It was called "Jesse Helms Retirement Party" that night in Charlotte, and there were many posters and T-shirts advertising the corruption of the North Carloina Senator. For those who aren't familiar with Sen. Helms, he has voted against womens reproductive rights legislation, for amendment 420 which authorizes federal censorship for the arts, and against discrimination protection for gays, women, and people of color. Anyway, the scene was set for the show.

As 6:30 came around and the crowd edgy for some music, the Fastbacks appeared for an interesting 30 minute set. They really get into it, and although I am not a huge fan of their music, they performed well. They don't waste time on stage and play fast and hard. The lead guitarist jumps around too much and he's kind of annoying, but other than that, I've seen much worse for an opening act. But who could preceed PJ?

After a half-hour set change, the next opening act came on. It was Ben Harper. I had heard his name, but never his music, so I was anxious to see what he had to offer. They came on with a really cool version of "Voodoo Child" by Jimi Hendrix. The band consists of Ben who plays a sit down slide Weissenborn and dobro, along with acoustic guitars, a bad ass bassist who Jeff would be proud to say is awesome, a really good drummer, and another percussionist who played bongos well. They played about an hour set which was a great appetizer for the main show. Really a band that likes to jam, and Bens vocals are really smooth with a taste of Jimi, (and the hair too). I would pay to see them again.

After Ben cleared the stage, the lights came on and the set change music was Satchel's new release called "The Family" which is a great album, and Stone produced it incidentally. Also a stage manager came on stage and asked the crowd to please take five steps back to releve pressure on the barracades. Of course there were all these jackasses who cooly held up their middle finger to dissapprove with his request. Finally with about ten minutes of persuasion, the crowd moved about two steps back which just made it worse where I was standing. Now, I had no room, but rather was sandwiched in between a big hairy white guy and a cute girl. No matter, though, because I was there for one thing and I didn't care what was going on in the crowd. In anticipation for PJ, many crowd surfers began to make their way across the sea of people. I got kicked in the head twice from behind me.

After much waiting, the 9:00 hour was here. After the song "Tomorrow" by Satchel, the opening music came on. It was a drum beat with some added steel drums or something. The stage crew started high fiving each other and then went into the huddle, so we knew the time was near. The opening music ended and people were scurrying around on stage and the fake Eddie was on the radio for about five minutes. Most likely with the fire marshall about the crowd situation down front. The music started up again and this time the lights went out. The crowd now absolutely nuts. The band emerged from stage left and without a word proceeded into "Long Road". It was beautiful. Before the next song Ed reminded the crowd to enjoy themselves and not to have a rough time in the pit, and "were about 30 seconds from kicking in, and I just wanted to make sure that everybody watches their neighbor, that everyone keeps up. Don't do too much of this spinning pit stuff or someone's going to get hurt, and that would suck. So, are you ready? Ok?" All cool here Ed...They proceeded into an incredible "Last Exit" and then "Animal", without any commentary to the crowd for quite a while they just played and played. Everything was going alright except for a few minor difficulties. They had to switch out Ed's mic after "Animal", but otherwise trouble free. The band catered to the "radio fans" with "Better Man", old "Jeremy", and "Black". After this mellow time, I needed a little pick-me-up and after "Black" Eddie says "That song was about love and this is another one about love.....and trust" and slammed into an incredible "State of Love and Trust". Mike was the best I've ever heard, and the entire band was just enjoying themselves. Jeff up to the old high flying antics, Eddie with clean, clear vocals, Stone with the pigeon neck thing and some half windmills here and there, and Jack...Oh, Jack was just ripping out the beat with such ease. I was back into the show. The band played great versions of "Habit" and "Whipping" along with some old favs like "Even Flow", "Porch" with some long intermission commentary about "building the future" with no biases, etc. Mike played well all night long, with the old tear it up riffs. Approaching the two hour mark, Ed came out and introduced a "friend" who spoke to us about the importance of voting. It was Gloria Steinem. Ed asked for our attention and the band would reward by "playing a whole bunch more". They came back for the encore. They played the best version of "Who you are" I've ever heard to start up the encore, and later Brendan O'Brien came out to play bass on "I got Shit (Id)". It was enjoyable. The band wailed into a great "Leaving Here" with the huge mirror ball that reflected just hypnotic lights and at some point there they had the damn strobe lights on - Oh, I think it was for "Alive" and they were on for about 15 minutes, and I started to get a headache. After Leaving here, Ed introduced "This is Stone and he'll be starting this one off" - we saw Jeff sitting down with his stand up bass - so we knew -"Daughter" came along. Half way through, the house lights came on and Eddie saw the crowd which he replied "Jesus! Look at You!" and continued with "The Real Me" and some other improvs which I've never heard. Since the people didn't turn the lights back off, the band I think felt pressured to leave, and said goodnight after "Daughter" and walked off for a second, but then returned and Eddie with his pointer finger indicating one more. Mike started up into "Yellow Ledbetter" and I was hoping Ed would stop him, but they continued nonetheless, and said goodnight after that.

I'd have to say that I wished that they would have played a couple more songs in that second encore. It just seemed incomplete. I wanted to see Stone play "Mankind" and my ultimate wish was for Brendan to come and play organ, and Jeff guitar, and Eddie harmonica for a little "Smile", but it didn't come true. Oh, well, It was still an absolutely tight show, and I loved every minute of it. It wouldn't have been the same had it not been with my bruthas Quinn and Petra. We were there and loved it! So there it is - mayo's review. Hope you like. I shall be anxiously awiting the cue for the Spring show at Red Rocks hopefully!!!