Eddie Vedder
June 11th, 2009
The Tower Theatre, Upper Darby, PA
Opening act: Liam Finn

Setlist

Walking the Cow, (Brain Damage intro) Sometimes, Around the Bend, I Am Mine, I’m Open, Man of the Hour, Far Behind, No Ceiling, Guaranteed, Rise, Driftin’, You’ve Gotta Hide Your Love Away, (Uncle Eds Beer and Cigarette Story Time), The Kids are Alright, Last Kiss, Atlantic City, Lukin, Porch

Encore: Society, Throw Your Arms Around Me, Forever Young, ARC, Hard Sun

Review: Fuckit I’m keeping this brief. It was a fun show. I don’t like the Tower (I just don’t). But for a “sit down” kind of show, which this mostly was, it was decent. Ed was a bit frustrated w/ the sound, so tomorrow nights show will probably sound better. Regardless, it wasn’t bad at all. The Brain Damage intro threw me right off, that kind of came out of nowhere. The Bruce cover (Atlantic City) was well done, and one of the songs he didn’t screw up (well only a tiny bit). He semi-botched quite a few of the others, but recovered well every time (throwing in ABBA lyrics etc). This was the first time in ages that I’ve enjoyed a performance of Last Kiss. Something about it being a solo effort rather than the whole band… No pictures, sorry, I didn’t bring my camera because I figured I’d be too far back to get any good shots anyway. Search flickr, I’m sure you’ll find some.

To the fellow I arranged to purchase a ticket from via Craigslist: it’s common courtesy to at least call or text the person you’ve arranged to sell a ticket to if you change your mind. And I know you had my number, as I left two voicemails while standing outside the Tower wondering if you were going to show.

To the fellow I ended out buying a ticket from (not a scalper): thank you. It would have sucked to come from NJ to Philly only to end out going back to NJ w/o seeing the show. Selling at cost was very cool of you (though as an FYI to anyone else reading this, the idiot scalpers were stuck selling what they had UNDER cost).

I have no idea what I’m going to do with this site. I might just ditch it, or use it as a place to record the shows I attend etc. I haven’t posted anything in ages (Mountain Jam was AMAZING). But, I’m moving to NYC, so I will actually be attending a lot more shows, so who knows, maybe the site isn’t dead yet.

Warren Haynes - Intro
Warren Haynes and John Paul Jones - Soulshine
Warren Haynes and John Paul Jones - Going To California

For those of you who are unable to use bittorrent, I’ve uploaded all 3 tracks in their uncompressed (flac) format, including the info and ffp files. Please use this download as a last resort - the bittorrent download will actually be faster than downloading this zip file.

I arrived in line at 10:00AM. The doors opened at 7:00PM. That’s right, I spent 9 hours in line, and had a great time. I came prepared with books, music, several lawn/camping chairs, coffee, food and cigs. Before anyone else arrived in line, Mr. Brian Farmer stopped by and I got a chance to chat with him for quite a while, as he didn’t seem to be a in a rush to go anywhere. That in itself was very, very fun. He told me stories from the recent tour, the teasing and overall great time they’d had with Back Door Slam, and I managed to talk him into taking a picture or three with me (not hard to talk him into). He’s such a down to earth guy with a great self-depreciating sense of humor (which I can relate to).

The next person to arrive was Bill, a fellow I had not previously had the pleasure of meeting. Bill is the very definition of a free-spirit, and I had a great time hanging out with him. Tho I quit quite a while ago, he was more than willing to share his medication with me, as he’s a 215‘er. I passed on his frequent offers, but the generosity was more than appreciated. I think he was single handedly responsible for 1/2 of the smoke in the Fillmore.

Next in line was Kari, who is now someone I’m thrilled to consider a friend too. Then out of the blue, Julie-Mule and her husband Richard showed up. That was absolutely one of the best surprises of the weekend. I had no idea she was coming, and when I saw her walking up to the line a huge grin broke out across my face.

More folks arrived as it came closer to doors-opening time, and though I can’t remember all the names, I think it’s safe to say everyone had a good time. I had made it hugely clear to everyone that I was holding spots for two people, Leigh and Hiyori (aka Hot Mess), and there were no complaints.

Flash forward to inside the Fillmore. We all got our spots on the rail so everyone was happy. I’d purchased the Back Door Slam CD in anticipation of seeing them live, but the disc just doesn’t do them justice (tho it is quite good). Live, they are a force to be reckoned with. You’re going to be hearing a lot about Davy in the not too distant future.

After the break, Mule appear on stage. The opening Trane > Eternity’s Breath > St. Stephen Jam was exactly as you’d expect, fantastic. This was my first show with Jorgen Carlsson, and right from the beginning it was clear they did a super job in replacing the great Andy Hess. When I walked out for a cig between sets, I still couldn’t believe everything I’d just heard. Dear Prudence w/ Davy to close the set was probably the highlight for me.

To start off the second set with War Pigs - as a trio - got the crowd right back into it, loudly. This was my first time seeing them play War Pigs live, and it was every bit as great as I’d hoped. As soon as War Pigs ended, Danny rejoined the group and they proceeded to blow everyone away with a 17+ minute version of The Doors When The Music’s Over.

Skipping ahead a few songs (that don’t deserve to be skipped - How Many More Years was by far the best version I’ve heard them play) - Jeff Coffin of the Flecktones joins the Mule on stage for a mellow’ish but great version of All Along The Watchtower. His solo’s were amazing and he fit in as though he’d be playing with them for years. Rather than ending the night with just one encore, they brought out Eric McFadden and played the very best version of Goin’ Out West that I’ve ever had the pleasure to be in person to see/hear live. Up until that night I’m not sure you could have convinced me that a sax had any place in a song like Goin’ Out West. You can now.

I suppose the one and only negative thing I could say about the entire night, was that Hallelujah was on the setlist, but Watchtower was played instead. Not a huge deal, but I know a number of folks in attendance (obviously myself included) who would have been over the moon to have Warren play that one. But with a show like this one, I’m not going to dwell on any negative.

More pictures in this flickr set. All of the MP3s in this post were created from elwoodblues lossless recording on etree, which I would strongly suggest you download ASAP. Or, purchase the MuleTracks recording of this show.

For its Twentieth Anniversary, Warren Haynes Presents: The Christmas Jam will expand to 2 nights for the first time ever and will take place Friday December 12th & Saturday December 13th at the Asheville Civic Center in Asheville, NC. As always all proceeds from the Christmas Jam will be donated to Habitat For Humanity.

INITIAL LIST OF PERFORMERS (listed alphabetically)
Allman Brothers Band
Del McCoury Band
Derek Trucks Band
Steve Earle
Ruthie Foster
Michael Franti Acoustic featuring Jay Bowman
Gov’t Mule
JJ Grey
Col. Bruce Hampton
Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk
Robert Kearns
Kevn Kinney
Eric Krasno
Joan Osborne
Mickey Raphael
Travis Tritt & Marty Stuart
Johnny Winter
+ Additional Performers, And Each Days Schedule, To Be Announced Shortly

Building on the tremendous success of last year’s inaugural Christmas Jam By Day, we will not only return with daytime concerts featuring many of the performers mentioned above as well as some of the best and hottest new bands in the country, an art show, and movie screenings, we will have the first Christmas Jam Comedy Show which will feature none other than Lewis Black.

We will once again be offering a VIP ticket package which includes tickets to both nights of The Christmas Jam, entrance to the Pre-Jam at The Orange Peel on Thursday 12/11, admittance to all Xmas Jam By Day events, and the option to buy a discounted ticket to the Comedy show. VIP ticket holders will be admitted to the Civic Center 15 minutes prior to door time so that they can choose their seats or a spot on the floor, have access to a special hospitality room inside the Civic Center on the stage level with complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a private cash bar, and receive a VIP exclusive 20th Anniversary Christmas Jam T-Shirt and commemorative Tote Bag. VIP Tickets are extremely limited and will only be available through Christmas Jam Ticketing.

Single Day, 2 Day and VIP Civic Center Tickets will go on-sale through Christmas Jam Ticketing on Wednesday November 5th @ noon EST. Single Day and 2 Day Tickets will go on-sale to the public through Ticketmaster and at the Asheville Civic Center Box Office on Saturday November 15th @ 10am.

More information on Christmas Jam By Day, including a full list of bands, additional performers at the Comedy Show and all other details will be announced shortly.

20 Nov 2008 / / / Buffalo - Mohawk Place
21 Nov 2008 / / / Cleveland - The Grog Shop
22 Nov 2008 / / / Chicago - Beat Kitchen
24 Nov 2008 / / / Minneapolis - 7th St Entry
25 Nov 2008 / / / Omaha - Slowdown
26 Nov 2008 / / / Lawrence, KS - Replay Lounge
29 Nov 2008 / / / Pittsburg - Garfield Artworks
30 Nov 2008 / / / Washington DC - DC9
1 Dec 2008 / / / Philadelphia - Johnny Brenda’s
2 Dec 2008 / / / Brooklyn - Union Hall
3 Dec 2008 / / / NYC - Mercury Lounge
4 Dec 2008 / / / Boston - T.T. the Bear’s Place
13 Dec 2008 / / / Toronto - Jingle Bell Rock - Sound Academy
15 Dec 2008 / / / Winnipeg - Jingle Bell Rock - Burton Cummings Theatre
16 Dec 2008 / / / Saskatoon - Jingle Bell Rock - Prairieland Centre
17 Dec 2008 / / / Edmonton - Jingle Bell Rock - Shaw Conference Centre
19 Dec 2008 / / / Calgary - Jingle Bell Rock - MacEwan Hall
21 Dec 2008 / / / Vancouver - Jingle Bell Rock -Vogue Theatre

ps. I signed it, even though you couldn’t pay ME to attend/watch.

Apparently I’ve been put in charge of the Warren Haynes & Gov’t Mule Yahoo Group, so I guess I should encourage you to join. Actually, I’d encourage you to join regardless, it’s the most friendly, drama-free mailing list I’m a part of.

Gov’t Mule - Wanderin’ Child (08/22/99)

Dr. Dog - The Beach
Dr. Dog - The Rabbit, The Bat & The Reindeer
Dr. Dog - Old Days
Dr. Dog - The Ark

Yes, I normally link to files as MP3s. This time, I had to zip them. Some jackass in Japan (or at least using the IP address of a computer in Japan) is indexing the MP3s on this site and serving them somewhere else, causing my hosting provider to become frustrated with me. I’m playing the “block that IP as soon as it starts indexing” game, but this person is persistent and using a new IP often. So in the meantime, I’m sorry, they’re available to download as zip files. The first 6 songs are in the first file, the remaining 7 are in the second. Again, sorry about that.

As always, if you want to grab the lossless version of this show (to burn to CD - these files are for personal iPod/MP3 player use only) - grab it from etree.

Part I
Part II

09.13.2008
Telluride Blues & Brews Festival
Telluride, CO

Andy Hess’ last show

Set:

Blind Man In The Dark
Bad Little Doggie
Thorazine Shuffle
Banks Of The Deep End
Sco-Mule with Ron Holloway
I’m A Ram 54-46 Was My Number Tease
It Hurts Me Too with Susan Tedeschi
Feel So Bad with Susan Tedeschi & Ron Holloway
Fallen Down->
The Other One Jam with Ron Holloway
Devil Likes It Slow with Ron Holloway
Mule

Encore:
Soulshine with Ron Holloway

GOV’T MULE WELCOMES NEW BASS PLAYER
New Bassist Jorgen Carlsson To Debut on Fall Tour
Balancing evocative songs and expressive improvisation, Gov’t Mule is a band rooted in both the personal and musical chemistry between its members. “It’s not one of those groups that can make a change overnight,” explains founding guitarist/vocalist Warren Haynes. It is only after six months of rehearsing, jamming, and hanging out with bassist Jorgen Carlsson that he has been added to the band as their new permanent bass player, replacing Andy Hess, who joined in 2003.

I personally will miss Andy. I absolutely loved his sound and style.

See you in San Fran, Jorgen!

With that rant behind me, The Secret Machines are finally returning to Vancouver. And Umphrey’s are playing the same venue (Richards on Richards) in Oct. It’s almost like Vancouver has a decent music scene (it won’t last).

Oct 16 - Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
Oct 17 - Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero
Oct 18 - New York, NY @ Webster Hall
Oct 20 - Cambridge, MA @ Middle East
Oct 21 - Montreal, QC @ Les Saints
Oct 22 - Toronto, ON @ Lee’s Palace
Oct 24 - Chicago, IL @ Metro*
Oct 25 - Madison, WI @ Majestic Theatre*
Oct 27 - Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theatre*
Oct 28 - Aspen, CO @ Belly Up*
Oct 30 - Los Angeles, CA @ Key Club*
Nov 01 - San Diego, CA @ Belly Up*
Nov 03 - San Francisco, CA @ The Independent*
Nov 05 - Portland, OR @ Berbati’s Pan*
Nov 06 - Seattle, WA @ Neumos*
Nov 07 - Vancouver, BC @ Richards on Richards*
Nov 09 - Calgary, AB @ SAIT Polytechnic^
Nov 10 - Saskatoon, SK @ Louis’ Pub^
Nov 11 - Winnipeg, MB @ Pyramid Cabaret^
Nov 14 - London, ON @ Call the Office^
Nov 15 - Ottawa, ON @ Babylon^

*w/the Dears
^w/Small Sins

Wounded Bird
Virtue & Vice
Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution
Another Roadside Tragedy
Wee Who See the Deep
There’s Gold in Them Hills
Poor Elijay - Tribute to Johnson (medley)
Going To Acapulco (1st time played)
Rockin Chair
Oh Josephine
Share the Ride
Movin’ On Down The Line
Jealous Again
Soul Singing
(Only) Half Way to Everywhere

- encore -
Isn’t it About Time
Hey Grandma

The Big Muddy
Raven Black Night
Ballerina
Forevermore
Hide Your Love Away
Loser
Hiding Place
I Shall Return
If Heartaches Were Nickels
In My Life
Lucky
Indifference
Roller Derby Queen
Old Before My Time
Loves Open Door
Fallen Down

1st Encore:

That’s Why I’m Here > Tastes Like Wine
I Shall Be Released

2nd Encore:

The Sky is Crying
I’ll Be the One