Pearl Jam Memphis, TN 10/14/14

It's taken some time, but I have finally seen Pearl Jam in all five states that border Georgia.  And in Georgia, of course.  And in Wisconsin.  Anyway, they certainly didn't disappoint.  As usual, they performed an eclectic, 30 song, set list distributed throughout their entire history.  Starting with a couple of new ones off the latest LP, Lightning Bolt, they soon dove into the older, deep tracks that give their shows the variety that keeps us coming back again and again.  Even threw in a couple of my favorites, "1/2 Full" and "Do the Evolution" and their only Grammy winning recording, "Spin the Black Circle."  During the second half of the second encore, all the house lights were illuminated and it was if the band would not leave the stage, quickly transitioning from song to song until they finally called it quits with "Yellow Ledbetter."  That tone-def guy from the Jack White show apparently followed me to this one and is heard on the video, again...

Jack White Columbia, SC 9/24/14

The last time I went to South Carolina after having seen a band earlier in the tour in Atlanta, I endured the exact same set list.  Thank you, Jack, for breaking that streak early.  Now, he did play a handful of the same songs, but mixed with others from his many bands including a funked up version of "I Cut Like a Buffalo" by the previously unheard The Dead Weather.  Opening with the latest album's, Lazeretto, instrumental "High Ball Stepper" he went on to play piano for "Three Women" and then the Beatle-esque "Apple Blossom".  Energy was high for one of my favorites "I'm Slowly Turning Into You" and ended the night with the unforgettable riffs of "Seven Nation Army".  Certainly glad I went to both shows but somehow disappointed I didn't attend even more. Never mind that out of key guy singing along in the "Steady as She Goes" video above...

Jack White 9/19/14

not that crowded, really

Jack White was the only reason I bought a ticket to Music Midtown this year.  And he made it totally worth it.  He opened with "Icky Thump" and played songs from all of his bands except The Dead Weather.  Jack and his drummer seemed very connected and looked to really enjoy jamming with each other.  As amazing as he's always been, I've always thought the better the drummer he has, the better he becomes.  It was also instruments galore with several fiddles, ukeleles, and guitars being traded around from song to song and Jack hopping on piano now and again.  Can't wait to see him on Wednesday in South Cackalaki!

Manchester Orchestra 5/30/14

 Damn, it felt good to be at a show again!  Felt good for the local boys to be home, as they proclaimed many times.  I should have boned up on the music a little because I caught myself not remembering lyrics for opening tunes "Shake it Out" and "Pensacola".  Gotta turn that Pandora station back on.  Plus, I hadn't heard anything off the latest set, Cope, except for their performance of the song by the same name on Letterman.  But, thank God, it was LOUD.  I haven't had my ears tuned like that since Halloween.  Seven months without a show...  for shame.  They came back for several encores, however, during the first break, a strange thing happened.  The Tomahawk Chop and chant started up.  When the group returned, frontman, and expectant father, Andy Hull told us, "Man, I wish we liked baseball."  That statement made the T-shirt I bought exceptionally ironic.