Pearl Jam: VH1 Storytellers

Pearl Jam's Storytellers set was fantastic. Eddie Vedder's story about the song "Alive" was very moving, and I don't recall ever hearing him tell it quite that way before. It was particularly cool that the band decided to use the forum not only to promote their new record, but also to promote discussion about today's political climate. Vedder's solo version, updated for 2006, of the Phil Ochs tune "Here's To The State Of Mississippi" will rankle some and inspire others. A perfect rock n' roll moment.

Disclaimer: VH1 made the astoundingly stupid editorial decision to dub some of Pearl Jam's interview footage over the songs as they played. The MP3s below are taken from what aired on TV, so the talking interrupts a couple of songs. Also, "Insignificance" did not air in the broadcast, but was an internet exclusive on VH1's website. I included it here for semi-completness. Pearl Jam performed three other songs at the taping ("Unemployable", "Sleight Of Hand" and "Army Reserve"), so hopefully a pre-edit full version of the show will surface in the future.

Pearl Jam: VH1 Storytellers
05-31-2006 The Avalon
New York, NY

Intro
"The Truth"
Betterman
"Abusive Relationships"
World Wide Suicide
"Car Songs" + Steven Tyler moment
"Gettin' Out"
Gone
"The Curse"
Alive
Matt talks about Ed
"Climed" question
Phil Oaks Updated
Here's To The State Of Mississippi
"Ideologies" question
"Funeral Song"
Life Wasted
Insignificance