Ben Harper/Reletless7 + Pearl Jam = AWESOME SHOW

It may seem like blasphemy to the arena full of Pearl Jam fans, but I mostly bought tickets to this show for the opening act. I've seen those guys before at shows who are clearly there for the opening act, know all the words to these songs I've never heard before. Ben Harper & Relentless7 did a great job, but sadly, played a very short set of about 10 songs.

I've always wanted to see Pearl Jam in concert but I had been to the same arena to see Stone Temple Pilots earlier this year and was very disappointed. They lacked soul and really seemed like they were doing the show for the money or to reclaim some former glory. I incorrectly assumed Pearl Jam would be the same. Boy was I wrong! They came out with a fury. Eddie was on top of the vocals like it was 1992. Mike McCreedy was jumping and dancing while playing lead guitar. The place was ROCKING! They did a great job of covering their catalogue. Didn't play much from the not so good albums between '98-'06, but hit the earlier and late stuff well. They played the three songs I have always wanted to hear them play: Evenflow from Ten, Blood from Vs., and Yellow Leadbetter from the Jeremy single. Between those songs they played well knowns and welcome oddities: Alive, Bee Girl, Immortality, Spin the Black Circle, Just Breathe, etc. Their set lasted for two and a half hours, including both of the long encores. This show moved into the 2nd place slot for the best concerts I've seen. Ben Harper's 2008(or was it 2007?) tour is still the best, without question. Hopefully Pearl Jam won't wait another 11 years to come back to Salt Lake, because they've made me a believer in the Pearl Jam nation.

Ben Harper & Relentless 7 with Pearl Jam

Seriously ever since I spotted this concert pairing my mind has been soaring. I've always wanted to see Pearl Jam, especially now that they're good again and Ben Harper is, as I've stated before, incredible in concert. The concert will be at the E-Center. Though not great audio quality, pretty much any seat there is decent. I feel like dancing about like a wee school girl I'm so excited.

Toots and Concerts in General

Salt Lake holds a free twilight concert series at the Gallivan Center downtown. I went to my second show last night, Toots and the Maytals. Toots and the Maytals is a fantastic Reggae group that I've always wanted to see but since they've been around for so long I didn't think I ever would. The show was awesome, Toots was in great form on songs like Sweet and Dandy, Pressure Drop, his cover of Country Roads, and of course 54-46.

The concert last night got me thinking about all of the great shows I've been to, often with Jen's brother Dan, he's a like minded music aficionado. Concerts I've been to in the fairly recent past include:

Toots and the Maytals - See above.

Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals - My fourth Ben Harper show. This concert set the bar for all the rest of the concerts I will ever see. Nothing has topped it yet.

Eric Clapton - How could he be anything less than awesome. He covered Jimi's Little Wing, along with classic Clapton and Cream songs.

Stone Temple Pilots - Big let down. 18 year old Ryan would have loved it as they sounded just like they do on the CD, but it seemed to lack soul and substance.

Blitzen Trapper - Awesome show packed into a tiny space (Kilby Court). A very full 6 piece band, that at times included 3 keyboard players and a child's water bird whistle.

Alela Diane - Opened for Blitzen Trapper and really blew me away. Beautiful vocals, backing vocals and instruments. Her father, aside from being their road manager also plays in the band. He plays a very Neil Young-ish guitar sound, as well as the mandolin.

Black Keys - The only other show I saw at the Gallivan Center. Just knowing the sort of sound they produced on their albums I knew my face would be ripped off with the intensity and they did not disappoint. We were right down in front at this show and the show was not only aurally intense but physically intense as well. We were on the edge of the mosh pit and often found ourselves serving as a barrier to keep small women and girls from getting crushed. This concert is up there with Ben Harper and Eric Clapton.

I have a fear that I'll never get to see the White Stripes in concert. I'm a huge White Stripes fan and with Jack White's various side bands and Meg White's anxiety I'm not sure I'll ever get to see them. I suspect Jack will come back around and make another White Stripes album after he's done with the "Dead Weather" tour, though if they do tour I doubt Utah will be on the list of dates so Dan and I are going to have to put together a road trip.

I'm just a huge fan of live music. I thoroughly enjoy Nashville even though I'm not really a fan of country music. The artists and musicians just lend so much spirit to the music that it's a lot of fun to watch. Take the time to go to a bluegrass concert if you've never been, just amazing to take it all in. I've made a point to go to as many concerts as I can. I really didn't go much in my youth; Neil Diamond, INXS, and Van Halen were the only shows I saw before I was 24. There is so much great music being made currently that there is always a good concert coming up.