Pearl Jam
February 6, 1995
Moore Theatre
Seattle, Washington
JEMS Master

Recording Gear: Sonic Studios DSM-6 > Sony TCD-D3 Portable DAT

JEMS 2025 Transfer: Master DAT > Sony 60ES > Sound Devices USBPre2 > Audacity 3.7.1 > iZotope RX and Ozone > .wav > FLAC > tracking and finishing via Audacity 3.7.1 and TLH

Pearl Jam is:

Jeff Ament (bass)
Stone Gossard (guitar)
Jack Irons (drums)
Mike McCready (guitar)
Eddie Vedder (vocals, guitar)

with Neil Young (vocals, guitar) on track 26

01. Intro
02. Release
03. Last Exit
04. Spin the Black Circle
05. Tremor Christ
06. Not For You
07. Corduroy
08. Lukin
09. Dissident
10. Act of Love (abandoned)
11. Animal
12. State of Love and Trust
13. Daughter
14. Improvisation
15. Whipping
16. Immortality
17. Go
18. The Kids Are Alright
19. Porch
20. Jack Irons Theme
21. Blood
22. Improvisation
23. Satan's Bed
24. Rearviewmirror (brief dropout)
25. Jam
26. Act of Love (with Neil Young)

This file set features the JEMS Master Recording of Pearl Jam in its newly-minted Jack Irons configuration, treating Seattle-area fan club members to the second of two rehearsal shows.

A neat complement to night one, you’ll hear improvisational jams, tracks swapped in (“Release,” “Dissident”), another Pete Townshend composition (“The Kids Are Alright”), and even a guest appearance. That’s some kind of rehearsal. The setlist reveals songs placed by album, for the most part, led by “Vitalogy,” the band’s most recent, and selections from its first two.

And while the band got acquainted playing Pearl Jam music, it collaborated with Neil Young to record “Mirror Ball.” Although Pearl Jam had already worked on “Act of Love,” the first take here ends abruptly. Later, Young joins them to reprise it as the show’s final song. By the way, didn't Neil go on the record about Pearl Jam learning the song by making a DAT recording of him performing the song with Crazy Horse at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction the month before? Yes, he did. Let's hear it for ROIO!

Young praised the band to no end and Irons’ skills in particular. The short-lived "Young Jam" made quite a noise and the LP they made chugs along like few others in Neil’s catalog. More about that some other time. Irons’ tenure in Pearl Jam lasted three years: he made two memorable records that showed the band's experimental side (“No Code”) and its rebound to the straightaway (“Yield”). Accounts suggest that Irons remains a beloved figure — a mensch. Here’s another helping of what it sounded like near the beginning.

Speaking of goodwill, let’s celebrate the ethos of giving fans free tickets to watch and listen as you get your act together. That tells you something about Pearl Jam (surreptitiously billed these two nights as “Piss Bottle Men”).

I’ve always liked seeing musicians in that setting: new songs, a new member, and early ventures into the unknown. Jared’s tape is a firecracker of a capture: it’s close, loud, and in stereo. Hope you enjoy it.

Thanks as always to BK, who remastered the sound, and here’s to Jack Irons! Hat tip to Jared and Stan, whose recordings play on. We speak of them frequently and think of them even more.

Share it freely, and for free.

- slipkid68