We went to the Paramount in Oakland to see Glen Hansard and Eddie Vedder. They asked us not to take photos in the seating areas, and I respect that, so above is all from the event you are getting from me. But, you can get an "official story" with pics from the Mercury.
First, Glen Hansard came out on stage with his beaten-up guitar - this was the same venue we'd seen him play before with Swell Season. As always, he was wrenchingly good. Besides his incredible original work, we were fortunate enough to watch him again shred the strings of his guitar for his cover of Van Morrison's Astral Weeks; I could watch that every night - it could be my "power song" for getting things done.
Then there is Eddie Vedder. I've written about him before on this blog (most of the videos are gone now.) And Mary and I had a less than ideal situation in seeing him with Pearl Jam @ Outside Lands. But this time, he did not disappoint. He came out, sat on a stool surrounded by instruments and told stories and sang to us. It was wonderful. Just so damn good. The program included this list of the stuff he had on stage with him:
He played a good mix of new stuff, "Into the Wild" and other solo standards and Pearl Jam. It was perfect. Quite frankly (and obviously), I've changed so much since Pearl Jam's Ten came out. I want to say I'd prefer to listen to Pearl Jam, but that was me then - the solo Eddie Vedder stuff is definitely much more where I am now. It is fun to experience that.
The crowning moment had to be the blend of worlds - Eddie Vedder singing Marketa's part in a "Falling Slowly" duet. Great night.
I wanted to buy tickets to the following night's show, but knew I should a) enjoy the fact that I had a remarkable experience and b) not kill myself with exhaustion & music fatigue.
ROCKCROWD! One show left...
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