Eddie Vedder - The Wiltern Los Angeles CA 7/11
Words by Robert Nearing
Photos By Jeffrey Easton
Nearly 10 years have passed since Pearl Jam front man, Eddie Vedder, first revealed his ukulele songs at the Wiltern Theatre. It was at the RAC (Recording Artists Coalition) Benefit in support of artists' rights. That was February of 2002, when the country was still reeling from the tragic events of 9/11. Then, Ed removed his large-brimmed Fedora revealing a freshly-carved Mohawk; proclaiming that as long as we saw him wearing a Mohawk, we would know the country was at war. He continued by serenading the admiring crowd with some of the most unexpected, romantic, and lovely songs we'd ever heard the grunge icon perform.
Flash forward to today. What was circulated as an April fool’s joke on Pearl Jam's website in 2002 is now reality. Eddie Vedder has released a solo ukulele album. What's more, the singer is supporting his latest contribution with a modest 20-date tour, taking his melodies to theater-sized crowds in some of the country's most intimate and acoustically unforgiving venues. Tonight, Mr. Vedder returned to LA's most eloquent art-deco venue, The Wiltern. No longer sporting his wartime Mohawk, but stylishly bearded with his long wavy locks that we have grown more accustomed to.
Hours before the show, Pear Jam fans were converging outside the venue. One couple I spoke with came from as far away as London to attend. Other loyalists were comparing setlists of recent shows and discussing the prospects of what songs/surprises tonight's show may bring. Pearl Jam fan club members were collecting their tickets at Will-Call. Elitists were comparing seat locations, while others were simply relieved to have gotten a ticket; scalpers were there too, all hoping for a great evening.
The air inside was getting heavy, as one would expect from such a large crowd. The light smell of alcohol teemed throughout the beautiful, ornate building. A burst of smoke could be spotted here and there, accompanied by the sporadic waft of marijuana. Popular indie favorite Glen Hansard had opened with an 8-song set an hour earlier. Now Eddie was about to take stage. The lights flickered, and then dimmed slightly. From behind the flowing stage curtain came the first chords of Waving Palms. The crowd erupted as the curtain opened to reveal a seated Eddie Vedder plucking away at the ukulele, and then, almost instantaneously silenced itself. It was as if church began. Salvation, at least for the next two hours, as Reverend Vedder reminded us why over the past twenty years so many have tried to imitate his style.
Tonight's setlist was brilliantly comprised of quiet, stripped-down arrangements culled from Pearl Jam's extensive catalog, in addition to selections from Ed's highly acclaimed Into the Wild soundtrack. They were all intertwined with his latest effort, simply called, "Ukulele Songs". Every Pearl Jam studio album was represented by at least one song, with exception of 2006's Avocado, which was oddly left out. From early on, my personal standouts from tonight's show were Longing to Belong--which had a gorgeous cello arrangement, as well as Just breathe and The End --both performed with a small string quartet. Eddie's powerfully emotional rendition of Yusuf Islam's (formerly the artist known as Cat Stevens) "Trouble" was alone worth the price of admission. But, speaking as a child of the 70's, I had no idea what Ed had prepared for us.
Nearly an hour-and-a-half into the show, the crowd began to slow. Not from boredom or lackluster performance, but rather over stimulation. In my experience, they're just not quite as energetic as they perhaps were in the crowd-surfing days when Pearl Jam ruled the airwaves in heavy rotation. Tired as they were, they still possessed that magical look on their faces -you know, like when a five year old goes to Disneyland for their first time? Though the crowd needed a break, there were no signs that Mr. Vedder did. He only seemed to be going stronger. Eddie closed the set with Arc, off of 2002's Riot Act. I was in awe to see it performed live, as Eddie enlisted a reel-to-reel tape deck to lay down this Native American inspired track. He somehow managed to record his voice over and over as the tape looped each layer back to us. It was amazing. Then the curtain dropped, and the crowd began chanting for the obligatory encore.
The curtain opened to the sound of Tibetan bells and the djembe. Strangely enough, next to Ed stood an older man with white flowing hair, dressed in a robe, striking the djembe and playing the bells. Ed struck the first chords and immediately I recognized one of my favorite songs: Long Road! My eyes were still fixed on the familiar-faced man with the white hair and robe. Then it occurred to me..John Densmore from the Doors! No effing way! My high school years were rapped up with that band, and now here was John Densmore AND Eddie Vedder sharing the small stage together, in what has to be one of those pinnacle points in life, when everything just comes full circle. This version of Long Road was a slow, bohemian version with a mid-east feel to it, and reminiscent of the 1999 fan club release The Strangest Tribe. As overused a word this has come to be, I can only describe this rendition as AMAZING! Other notables for tonight were Society, a duet with Glen Hansard, and Falling Closely with Glen Hansard, Marketa Irglova, and a string quartet. Ed closed the encore set with Porch, which leaving us tired, but somehow back on our feet, clapping, whistling, and howling for more.
House lights on, Ed appeared for what would be his final encore; the crowd still roaring, still on our feet. This tiny fragile theater from the early 1900's was shaking to the point I thought the ceiling was going to come down, and end the Wiltern's glorious run. Accompanied by both Glen Hansard, and John Densmore, Eddie launched into a rollicking version of Rocking In The Free World, which conveyed all the power and uninhibited energy one would expect from a (full band) Pearl Jam show. John Densmore took a final bow and left the stage before Hard Sun, the final song came next. Eddie and Glen Hansard wrecked all that remained of the audience with simply phenomenal version of Hard Sun. Eddie thanked the audience by saying he knew there were lots of entertainment options in LA and wanted to let us know he appreciated us for choosing to be here tonight. Several celebrities were spotted at tonight's show including Chad Lowe, Ben Stiller, Emile Heirsch, and I'm about 99% sure that was Laura Dern I saw downstairs in the lobby.
As the tired crowd makes its way out of the theater, one can't help but hear (and join in) the conversations. "Wow, Ed still kicks ass...". "That was amazing...", "John Densmore, Holy@#$%...", "So Ed's playing Santa Barbara tomorrow, we're so there..." those were just some conversations, as were the names of the songs they finally got to hear or were hoping to hear. I'll admit I'm jealous of those fans that get to follow Eddie to his remaining solo shows. As for me, I'm breaking out my docs and flannels. On Labor Day weekend, September 3rd and 4th, Pearl Jam will host its own festival in Alpine Valley, WI in celebration of their 20th anniversary as a band. I can't wait. More info can be found here: www.pj20.com www.pearljam.com
There are some artists who perform the same songs, same jokes, night after night. One of the things I love and admire about Eddie Vedder, about Pearl Jam, is how they're willing to take risks. They're willing to change up the setlists. No two shows are ever alike. Tonight's show was not about 9/11. It was not about the war in Afghanistan. It was not about Ticketmaster, it was not about artist's rights, or women's rights, or healing the bay, or any of the noble socio-political causes Pearl jam has taken up in the past. Of course, any of those causes are readily and fiercely worn on the sleeves of my fellow PJ fans--that goes without saying. Tonight was all about the music. It was all about escaping for a while and connecting with others that appreciate great music. Tonight had the feel of a giant love-in for the 3,000 or so gen-xer's in attendance; a group hug, if you will. Yes, you could even say it was a religious experience. Thanks Eddie, to you, and the whole band. Keep on rocking in the free world. Peace.
Complete Setlist (provided by www.pearljam.com ):
The Wiltern-Los Angeles, CA
July 08, 2011
Set List
01. Waving Palms
02. Can't Keep
03. Sleeping By Myself
04. Without You
05. Light Today
06. Goodbye
07. Longing To Belong w/Rudy Stein playing cello
08. Soon Forget
09. Trouble-(Yusuf Islam)
10. Sometimes
11. I Am Mine
12. Betterman
13. Long Nights w/Glen Hansard
14. Far Behind
15. Guaranteed
16. Lukin w/string quartet (fast version)
17. Just Breathe w/string quartet
18. The End w/string quartet
19. Unthought Known
20. Immortality
21. Arc
Encore Break 1
22. Long Road w/John Densmore playing djembe & Tibetan bells
23. Wishlist w/John Densmore playing djembe & Tibetan bells
24. Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town
25. Sleepless Nights w/Glen Hansard (no mics no amplification)
26. Society w/Glen Hansard-(Jerry Hannan)
27. Falling Slowly w/string quartet {Glen singing and playing acoustic, Eddie duet vocal}-(Glen Hansard, Markéta Irglová)
28. Open All Night-(Bruce Springsteen)
29. Porch
Encore Break 2
30. Rockin' In The Free World w/Glen Hansard & John Densmore-(Neil Young)
31. Hard Sun w/Glen Hansard-(Peterson)
Suzie Katayama: String contractor & quartet music consultant
String quartet members
Charlie Bisharat-Violin 1
Sara Parkins-Violin 2
Alma Fernandez-Viola
Rudy Stein-Cello
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