European shows ...10/24/96 - Millstreet Arena: Cork, Ireland [106m]
attendance: 3,000
support act: The Fastbacks
set: Sometimes, Last Exit, Spin the Black Circle, Hail Hail, Tremor Christ, In My Tree, Corduroy, Better Man, Not for You, Animal, Dissident, Daughter/(Bull in the Heather)/(WMA), Habit, Rearviewmirror, Jeremy, Alive, Porch
enc 1: I Got Shit, Lukin, Even Flow, Present Tense, Yellow Ledbetter
notes: This is a seemingly standard show, with little interaction or chat between the crowd and the band. Ed comments before 'Better Man' about how long the trip to Ireland was and how he felt like they were still at home with the rain, green terrain, great beer and good people. Stone gives a nod to Jack "on drums" at the end of 'Daughter.'
ticket
poster10/26/96 - The Point Theatre: Dublin, Ireland [106m]
attendance: 8,500
support act: The Fastbacks
set: Release, Last Exit, Animal, Spin the Black Circle, Hail Hail, In My Tree, Corduroy, Elderly Woman, Lukin, Mankind, Even Flow, Daughter/(Noise of Carpet), Jeremy, Go, Habit, Immortality, Alive, Blood/(Fame)
enc 1: Who You Are, Better Man, State of Love and Trust, Off He Goes, Hunger Strike
enc 2: Yellow Ledbetter
notes: The band seems in a friendly, upbeat mood with Ed being rather chatty. He tells a little story before 'Habit': "We met an interesting fellow in a little basement club thing last night. You know ... one of those guys who says, 'Heroin, its not addicting. I've been doing it for eight years.' ... whatever, mate. This song's for you." Ed refers to 'Mankind' as Stone Gossard's "vocal debut in Ireland." ('Mankind' was skipped in Cork.) 'Even Flow' features a very cool, different jam by Mike. During the 'Daughter' outro, Ed suggests, "OK, so the shades are down ... why not, roll them up?" leading to 'Noise of Carpet.' After Alive, Ed notes that this is the first time PJ has played Dublin proper and he says he thinks he has agoraphobia. The crowd is given a choice between 'Leaving Here' and 'Yellow Ledbetter' for the final song; 'Yellow Ledbetter' is played.
poster10/28/96 - Wembley Arena: London, England [115m]
attendance: 11,000
support act: The Fastbacks
set: Oceans, Last Exit, Animal, Spin the Black Circle, Hail Hail, Dissident, In My Tree, Corduroy, Elderly Woman, Not for You, Even Flow, Daughter/(Androgynous Mind), Jeremy, State of Love and Trust, Sometimes, Rearviewmirror, Immortality, Alive, Blood, Porch
enc: Off He Goes, Better Man, Whipping, Smile, Leaving Here
notes: The show begins with Ed stepping to the mic and saying, "The waiting drove me mad. This song's called 'Oceans.'" Ed is nursing his throat a bit, drinking tea between songs, but having to stretch a lot to hit notes. Ed leads into "In My Tree" with, "So far this feels nice and cozy. This ain't bad at all." 'Even Flow' features a cool little guitar intro and Mike's solo is brilliant! Jeff says "Lemme just say this is the most fun we've had in London before." Ed follows with a talk about how he was watching a TV show about how London dealt with sewage problems back in the 1600s, " ... the point being, you've had a lot of shit here for a long, long time--and just finally you're dealing with it." 'Blood' is a short, but very intense version. Introduced as " ... a request that came up from the front ... ," 'Smile' is played live before an audience for the first time.![[Link to Video Guide]](5hvid.gif)
10/29/96 - Wembley Arena: London, England [110m]
attendance: 11,000
support act: The Fastbacks
set: Release, Last Exit, Animal, Hail Hail, Go, Tremor Christ, Sometimes, In My Tree, Corduroy, Better Man, Even Flow, Daughter/(Suck You Dry)/(Bull in the Heather), Footsteps, Jeremy, Lukin, Rearviewmirror, Immortality, Alive
enc 1: Habit, I Got Shit, Once, State of Love and Trust, Present Tense
enc 2: Smile, Yellow Ledbetter
notes: Apparently even a better show than the previous night in London, with PJ in good form, a good mood, a good setlist and a good crowd--opening with 'Release' in total darkness. Jeff and Ed are super on 'Footsteps' and 'Rearviewmirror' is lively. Later, Ed notes, "As far as I'm concerned, you've got a new reputation as good listeners; and this is one that we'd like to kinda share with you intimately" leading to 'Present Tense.' 'Smile' is played for a second time on this tour, and Ed jokes, "Last night we attempted to play this song ... about half way through, one of us messed up really bad. So tonight, we are going to attempt to play it perfectly, just for you. The sentiment in the song also applies." It is a very pretty version and he tosses his harmonica to the crowd at the end. Mike is sounding great, going wild during 'Corduroy' and 'Yellow Ledbetter' solos. Ed's concluding comments: "It's gonna be a while but we'll see you again ... London was one of the first places to kinda make Seattle kinda something interesting ... something you would listen to. Of course, now they trash us, but we don't give a fuck. You guys are great. Thank you."11/01/96 - Torwar: Warsaw, Poland [125m]
attendance: 6,000
support act: The Fastbacks
set: Long Road, Last Exit, Animal, Hail Hail, Go, Red Mosquito, In My Tree, Corduroy, Better Man/(Save it for Later), Lukin, Mankind, Off He Goes, Even Flow, Daughter/(Androgynous Mind), Jeremy, Sometimes, Rearviewmirror, Immortality, Alive
enc 1: Who You Are, Black, I Got Shit, State of Love and Trust, Present Tense, Smile
enc 2: Indifference
notes: 'Even Flow' is introduced as a song that's called, "...the little piece of white trashed paper that could." During the 'Androgynous Mind' outro (after 'Daughter'), Ed starts screaming the "hey, hey" part and this relatively small crowd echoes "hey" back. Ed's fun doublespeak leads into 'Sometimes.' They play the slow openings to both 'RVM' (which is now most always exquisite ... although the slow interlude is missing here), and to 'Immortality.' Back for the encore, Ed tells the crowd they are "bad ass mother fuckers ... actually that [they] are incredibly polite and welcoming ... and know their English as well." After introducing Mike, 'I Got Shit' is introduced as a song they played when they were hanging out with "Young, Neil." After 'State,' Ed says, "OK, I think we're gonna leave you with the happiest song that we know. I think there's a lyric in there ... "we miss you already," and that is how we are gonna feel, leading to 'Smile.' Sweet :)
poster
ticket11/03/96 - Deutschlandhalle: Berlin, Germany [125m]
support act: The Fastbacks
set: Long Road, Last Exit, Animal, Hail Hail, Go, Red Mosquito, In My Tree, Corduroy, Better Man, Lukin, Mankind, Hunger Strike, Even Flow, Daughter/(Androgynous Mind)/(Noise of Carpet), Jeremy, Sometimes, Rearviewmirror, Immortality, Alive, Blood/(Fame)/(Suck You Dry)
enc: Who You Are, State of Love and Trust, Not for You, Present Tense, Leaving Here, Yellow Ledbetter
notes: This show was broadcast by many radio stations around the world, opening with a recording of John F. Kennedy's famous speech ("I am a Berliner"). After the first few songs, Ed asks, "How's everybody in Berlin tonight? For any of you are in the back and can't see, it's pretty damn packed in front is everybody OK? ... Do yourselves and everyone else a favor and watch out for your neighbor ... protect the women and children" leading to 'Red Mosquito.' After 'Lukin,' Stone steps up and says, "Alright, I'm gonna sing one," launching 'Mankind.' A short version of 'Hunger Strike is a nice surprise, with the crowd loudly singing along. After 'RVM,' Ed breaks into a brief, very fast-paced spoken word ditty (from 'Museum Song'):
"Quite a lotta Roman terra cottaEd has a nice intro for 'Blood:' "Alright we'd like to say thanks, thanks for coming out, those of you lucky enough to get tickets ... We've had some interesting shows in Germany ... I remember every one of them, for good and bad, but actually this show is on the radio tonight so a bunch of other people were eavesdropping ... I fucked up quite a few times, thanks for covering up. This next song is called, 'I'll be glad when you're dead and gone, you bastard you', or 'this blood's for you.'" The encore begins with Ed chatting, "Thanks, very much. I don't know what to say so I'm just going to say, 'I am a donut.'" Later, Ed thanks Radio Fritz for playing "records that nobody else would" and for broadcasting the concert. Then, "... and now, Mike and I would like to serenade you," leading to 'Present Tense.' The Fastbacks help out on 'Leaving Here.' The band seems very ON and totally into this show, even if some of the songs seem to be played very fast. These radio broadcasts are just the greatest!
Livin' lava from the flanks of Etna
Statuary, Ride a dromedary
See the temple tumble and the Red Sea part"
An "aftershow" known as "Radio Fritz" or "Checkpoint Charlie," similar to the Atlanta 94 radio show, broadcast only in Germany, featured Ed playing music and chatting with fans about life.
[Ed's DJ set: Pebbles (Shudder to Think), Strength to Endure (The Ramones), Sword of Damocles (Lou Reed), Sparks (The Who, live from Woodstock '69), Let Me Sleep (Christmas Time) (Pearl Jam), Bee Girl (Pearl Jam), Gravity (Howard Johnson and Gravity), Floored (Pusherman), Crystal Gypsy (Sebadoh), Jealous Guy (John Lennon), Rock 'n' Roll Radio, Let's Go! (The Ramones), Rockin' in the Free World (PJ w/ Neil Young from MTV VMA '93)]
Radio Fritz transcript
Monkeywrench Radio link11/04/96 - Sporthalle: Hamburg, Germany [120m]
support act: The Fastbacks
set: Wash, Hail Hail, Once, Last Exit, Animal, Dissident, Who You Are, Corduroy, Elderly Woman (short), Better Man/(Save it for Later), Whipping, Mankind, Even Flow, Black, Jeremy, Sometimes, Rearviewmirror, I Got Shit/(Cinnamon Girl), Alive
enc: Off He Goes, Not for You/improv, Glorified G, Daughter/(ABitW)/(Noise of Carpet), State of Love and Trust, Smile, Rockin' in the Free World
notes: Those who attended both German shows report Hamburg is a better show with a better crowd. A great version of 'Hail Hail' is sung with the lyrics, "... the lucky ones; I refer to those in front." 'Elderly Woman' is abandoned after the first few lines (saying they have a "better song"), switching to 'Better Man,' which includes the 'Save it for Later' bit toward the end. A whipping version of 'Whipping' leads to a spirited 'Mankind.' Ed introduces 'Even Flow' saying, "This next song's called, 'I'm beginning to see the light.'" PJ is sounding relaxed and comfortable with 'Sometimes' now. Ed comments, "We played a little show on the radio last night ... I was just thinking that tonight's been so much more real. I wish we would have recorded tonight," leading to a super version of 'Rearviewmirror.' Ed intros 'Off He Goes' saying it is a "... little story ... and then we're gonna take requests." 'Not for You' has a funky sound featuring an extended ending/improv. 'Glorified G' makes an unusual appearance on this setlist. After 'Daughter,' Ed asks, "Up for more?" and PJ moves into 'State of Love and Trust' with Mike very ON. Super show!11/05/96 - Vera: Groningen, Holland
attendance: 217 tickets sold
set: I Can't Explain, The Kids are Alright, Lukin, Not for You, Rearviewmirror, Naked Eye
enc: (after The Fastbacks set) Girl's Eyes, Leaving Here
notes: This Fastbacks' show featured an unusual opening act--billed as "The What"--consisting of Fastbacks' members Kurt Bloch (bass) and Mike Musburger (drums), with Ed appearing and playing guitar and singing. Ed explains that since The Fastbacks supported PJ for the whole tour, it was only fair to repay the favor (and that actually he just wanted an excuse to come back). Before playing 'Lukin,' Ed says, "As long as I'm here, I may as well promote my new record ... this one's dedicated as always to Mr. Matt Lukin. He's been here before." During a quiet passage of 'Naked Eye,' some fool yells "fuck you." Ed replies, "Yeah, you too. It's no big deal. I mean, I don't have to be here. I'm just gonna finish the song and watch The Fastbacks," and that's just what he does. At the end of The Fastbacks' set, Ed again joins then others to play the obscure 'Girl's Eyes,' written by Keith Moon in 1967, followed by a crisp, upbeat version of 'Leaving Here.' With tickets at approx. $4, what a deal! (PJ played at this small club 3/1/92.)
Naked Eye (5h Song X for June 1998)11/06/96 - RAI Parkhal: Amsterdam, Holland [115m]
attendance: 13,000
support act: The Fastbacks
set: Long Road, Hail Hail, Once, Animal, Last Exit, Dissident, In My Tree, Corduroy, Better Man, Habit, Mankind, Even Flow, Black, Jeremy, Sometimes, Rearviewmirror, Immortality, Alive, Porch
enc 1: Who You Are, Lukin, State of Love and Trust, Present Tense, Blood/(Fame)/(Androgynous Mind)
enc 2: Rockin' in the Free World
notes: Ed references "freaking out" when PJ walked in and saw this huge, flat venue, saying if they'd have known in advance, they would have scheduled two shows in smaller, more cozy places. This is a great audience, singing along with 'Black,' 'Alive' (loudly!) and 'Sometimes.' Ed jokes about having a little party at his hotel room afterward but not remembering the name of it but the address is, "... 1, 2, 3, 4 ..." and 'Porch' launches. Responding to the "Eddie" chants when the encore begins, Ed says, "Oh, yeah. That's my name. If that's my name, how do you spell it?" The crowd responds, "E-D-D-I-E." He says, "I just asked because there's a young woman up here ... she had a shirt that said, "Eddy fuck me." Well, first you gotta spell my name right. Sexual harassment ..." Causing great excitement, Ed climbs onto the speakers during 'Blood' and then the ladders, swinging over the audience. The mutual admiration between PJ and Amsterdam is obvious :)
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poster11/07/96 - Le Zenith: Paris, France [115m]
attendance: 5,000
support act: The Fastbacks
set: Wash, Hail Hail, Last Exit, Once, Tremor Christ, Who You Are, Corduroy, Better Man/(Save it for Later), Even Flow, Jeremy, Off He Goes, Animal, Daughter/(Improv)/(Androgynous Mind), Lukin, Rearviewmirror, I Got Shit, Whipping, Alive
enc 1: Roadhouse Blues, Sometimes, Black, State of Love and Trust, Porch
enc 2: Smile, Yellow Ledbetter
notes: Another upbeat show with the band in good form but the audience behaving badly. Ed speaks a few lyrics from the "broken faces" part of Stereolab's 'Noise of Carpet' after the 'Daughter' improvs. (The Improv merging after 'Daughter' is apparently created on the spot and references a sad letter to Ed from a young fan [Nino], with the "hey, hey, it's OK" part having a comforting feel.) After a cranked 'RVM,' he says, "OK, in this hand is a fast song and in this hand is a slower song," (prompting the crowd to pick). Then, "Since you couldn't decide, let's put the two of them together," leading to 'I Got Shit' and 'Whipping.' A fan makes it on stage during 'Alive' and sings a bit. The first encore begins with Ed talking about how the band decided to enroll in a French class at the local university, but they kept coming up with excuses not to attend. After a crack about Mike visiting the grave of his dead uncle, Jim Morrison, Mike plays a little riff, prompting the band to go into a quite unexpected, short version of The Doors' 'Roadhouse Blues.' (Cool!)(2,516k)
He finishes the story saying that though they never made it to the French classes, he was able to find time to write the next song, leading to 'Sometimes.'
poster11/09/96 - Hallenstadion Zurich: Zurich, Switzerland [116m]
attendance: 6,000
support act: The Fastbacks
soundcheck: Black Red Yellow, Animal, Smile, Nothingman, Black Red Yellow, Porch, Not for You, Lukin, Rearviewmirror
set: Animal, Hail Hail, Once, Last Exit, Spin the Black Circle, Dissident, Who You Are, Whipping, Corduroy, Better Man, Rearviewmirror, Sometimes, Even Flow, Glorified G, Daughter/(The Real Me)/(I Am One), Go, Jeremy, Off He Goes, State of Love and Trust, Lukin, Alive
enc: Not for You, I Got Shit, Black, Leaving Here, Rocking in the Free World
notes: Asking "How have you been?" after 'StBC,' Ed then says, "I would speak more but my English is not very good." Very shortly after 'Better Man' is started, Ed's guitar strap breaks and the song abruptly stops. He notices that the straps says it was made in Zurich. The song is restarted. 'Sometimes' is introduced as, "This song is in between always and never." After 'Jeremy,' the show is paused to try to understand something the crowd is saying. Ed asks, "Save the fucking drugs? You're going to have to hold up your hand ... one at a time, please. Oh, 'State of Love and Trust.' OK." They go on to play 'Off He Goes' but play 'SoL&T' next, with Ed substituting the words "save the fucking drugs" during the final chorus. As the encore begins, Ed comments, "You think of it as being very, very cold up here, but you get a whole shitload of people in one room and you don't even notice." Then, "This song is not written for you," leads in to 'Not for You.' 'Leaving Here' is started roughly and Ed notes it was "sorta shitty," so they add 'RitFW.'
poster11/10/96 - Olympiahalle: Innsbruck, Austria (canceled)
11/12/96 - Palaeur: Rome Italy [117m]
support act: The Fastbacks
set: Release, Last Exit, Animal, Hail Hail, Dissident, In My Tree, Corduroy, Better Man, Not for You/Even Flow, Daughter/(Androgynous Mind)/(WMA), Jeremy, Hunger Strike, Black, State of Love and Trust, Sometimes, Rearviewmirror, Immortality, Lukin, Alive
enc: Who You Are, Once, Present Tense, Smile, Rocking in the Free World
notes: This is another pleasant show, with both the audience and PJ in a good mood. 'Hunger Strike' makes another somewhat unusual appearance here. 'Sometimes' is stopped rather abruptly, the crowd cheers and Ed says, "Thank you. I was just out of tune." The song is picked up where left off. Returning for the encore, Ed chats a bit: "We have much more work to do. It was a very nice night for us." (He asks Keith to turn the lights up.) "It's the nicest night we've ever had inside the giant clam. Thanks for joining us." He later expresses his feelings for Rome ("I did not get married in Paris") and dedicates 'Smile' to the friends who helped him when he got married. Mike unleashes his guitar prowess during the 'RitFW' finale, with the crowd lending spirited clapping to the final verse and Ed draping the local soccer team's flag on Jack's drum.
setlist scan11/13/96 - Forum: Milan, Italy [115m]
support act: The Fastbacks
set: The Kids are Alright (pre-show)
Long Road, Go, Last Exit, Hail Hail, Red Mosquito, Who You Are, Off He Goes, Corduroy, Better Man, Habit, Even Flow, Daughter/(Improv), Jeremy, Sometimes, Rearviewmirror, Present Tense, Alive
enc 1: Once, State of Love and Trust, Nothingman, Smile, Porch
enc 2: Yellow Ledbetter
notes: Ed plays 'The Kids are Alright' alone, prior to The Fastbacks opening. This show and this audience seem very subdued (but polite) until 'Even Flow,' when the crowd begins singing along, clapping and Mike wakes up his guitar! The concert grows from there ... with a perfect 'RVM.' Ed says, "Cara, this is for you," and 'Present Tense' is played. After 'State of Love and Trust,' Ed asks the crowd if they are having a nice time and to ask him the same question. He makes them ask twice, answers, "Of course," thanks the crowd and then they play 'Nothingman' like it is an everyday occurrence and the audience sings along like it is a standard song. The harmonica really stand out on 'Smile,' and Jeff plays guitar while Stone plays bass. Ed tips one of the small amplifiers on its side and stands high atop it toward the end of 'Porch.' Super setlist!
setlist scan (autographed)
main and encore setlist scan (different)11/15/96 - Sports Hall: Prague, Czech Republic [121m]
set: Go, Last Exit, Animal, Spin the Black Circle, Hail Hail, Red Mosquito, Who You Are, Off He Goes, Corduroy, Better Man, Habit, Even Flow, Daughter/(Noise of Carpet), Jeremy, Sometimes, Rearviewmirror, Present Tense, Black, Alive
enc: Mankind, Once, Hunger Strike, State of Love and Trust, Immortality, Smile, Porch
notes: This show, starting two hours late and nearly starting a panic among the waiting crowd, is opened with Ed explaining: "This show, it almost didn't happen tonight, so we'd like to thank a couple people. [translation]. We'd like to thank the truck drivers who drove through the snow and got all the equipment here. We'd like to thank the crew who set up in about an hour. And most importantly we'd like to thank you, too." Minus The Fastbacks' opening, PJ plays a great setlist! Ed's voice sounds a bit ragged during 'Last Exit,' perhaps with little time to warm up. A sweet version of 'Off He Goes' features some nice guitar fills. The 'Habit' phrase is "speaking as somebody who has never been to this city before." On the closing notes of 'Alive,' Mike inserts a few distinct bars from Zep's 'Bring it on Home.' Upon returning for the encore, Ed asks, "Hey, Stone. Was it like this with Neil? ... see, these guys have been here before with young Neil--Neil Young ... so they know what to expect. I had no idea--pretty exciting." Then, "This is Stone's vocal debut here in Prague." Stone starts 'Mankind' asking, "Are you ready for me?" in a falsetto. After a short version of 'Hunger Strike,' Ed praises the singing, saying "All right ... I'll let Christopher [Cornell] know." Jeff and Stone swap guitars on 'Smile,' which is dedicated to a "... guy who's having his 20th birthday right over there." Ed is back to his climbing antics ... scaling the light tower during 'Porch.'
main and encore setlist scan11/17/96 - Sports Hall: Budapest, Hungary [115m]
support act: The Fastbacks
soundcheck: tuning/jam, MFC, jam, improv
set: Sometimes, Corduroy, Hail Hail, Animal, Dissident, Who You Are, Black Red Yellow, Rearviewmirror, Better Man, Habit, Off He Goes, Even Flow, Glorified G, Daughter/(Androgynous Mind), Jeremy, State of Love and Trust, Immortality, Alive
enc: Mankind, Young Man Blues, Lukin, I Got Shit, Present Tense, Once, Leaving Here, Porch
notes: Dedicated to the fans following PJ's tour, 'Black, Red, Yellow' is played live for the first time and it sounds super leading into "RVM." The 'Daughter' improv is quite moving. The encore is amazing! The Fastbacks help out on 'Leaving Here.'
main and encore setlist scan
handbill
ticket11/19/96 - World Trade Center: Istanbul, Turkey [110m]
attendance: 4,000
support act: The Fastbacks
set: Release, Last Exit, Hail Hail, Animal, Tremor Christ, In My Tree, Corduroy, Elderly Woman, Habit, Even Flow, Daughter/(Bull in the Heather)/(Androgynous Mind), Jeremy, Long Road/Sometimes, Rearviewmirror, Better Man, Alive, Blood/(Fame)
enc: Who You Are, State of Love and Trust, Once, Smile, Porch
notes: This show is somewhat low-key, with little interaction between the band and the crowd. After 'In My Tree,' Ed interjects, "Pleased to meet you," toward a fan who had hopped on stage. The 'Habit' phrase is "speaking as a tourist."'Long Road' leads directly into 'Sometimes' in a unique fashion.
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poster11/21/96 - Sports Palace: Barcelona, Spain [125m]
attendance: 8,000
support act: The Fastbacks
soundcheck: Parting Ways, ? (instrumental), Around the Bend, In My Tree, In My Tree, Hard to Imagine (16m version), Garden, Leaving Here, I'm Open (10m version) [70m = entire soundcheck]
set: Wash, Last Exit, Hail Hail, Animal, Red Mosquito, Who You Are, Corduroy, Better Man, Off He Goes, Habit, Even Flow, Jeremy, Daughter/(Happiness is a Warm Gun)/(Bull in the Heather)/(Androgynous Mind), Sometimes, Lukin, Rearviewmirror, Immortality, Alive, Porch
enc 1: Mankind, Once, State of Love and Trust, Present Tense, Smile, Blood/(Fame)
enc 2: Around the Bend
notes: 'Parting Ways,' a song which is not released for four years on Binaural, is soundchecked. Ed breaks out a bit of his Spanish to communicate: "Cuidado" ("be careful") a few times to the crowd; during 'Habit,' "Hablando como un niņo de los 90s." Stone gets into the act opening 'Mankind' with, "Que pasa? I'm gonna sing one for you." A "hey, hey" chant between the crowd and PJ gets going during the 'Blood' jam. Returning for a final encore, Ed says, "OK, in English; this one's a lullabye, so when you go home, have nice dreams tonight, leading to 'Around the Bend,' and a "Adios, amigos. Buenos noches." 'Smile' from this show later appears on the '96 fan club single.
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review11/22/96 - Anoeta Velodrome: San Sebastian, Spain [120m]
attendance: 17,000
support act: The Fastbacks
set: Sometimes, Animal, Last Exit, Spin the Black Circle, Hail Hail, Dissident, Who You Are, Corduroy, Better Man/(Save it for Later), Whipping, I Got Shit, Even Flow, Daughter, Jeremy, Footsteps, Red Mosquito, Lukin, Habit, Rearviewmirror, Immortality, Alive
enc 1: Go, State of Love and Trust, Black, Porch
enc 2: Yellow Ledbetter
notes: This show features a truly electrifying start, opening with a sweet 'Sometimes' and then launching into a hard 'Animal.' Ed quips, "Come se dice 'yo tengo caca?' This is it ..." and they begin "I Got Shit." Ed breaks out a few antics, skateboarding across the stage prior to 'Go,' climbing the speakers during 'Porch' and throwing the mic over the lights and hanging.
autographed ticket
handbill
review11/24/96 - Dramatico: Cascais, Portugal [120m]
support act: The Fastbacks
pre-set: I Can't Explain, The Kids are Alright, My Generation, Young Man Blues
set: Release, Last Exit, Animal, Hail Hail, Once, Dissident, In My Tree, Corduroy, Elderly Woman, Whipping, Habit, Off He Goes, Even Flow, Daughter/?, Jeremy, Portugal chant and jam, Present Tense, Black Red Yellow, Rearviewmirror, Alive
enc: Smile, Black, State of Love and Trust, Porch
notes: Ed (wearing a mask) plays three Who songs with Kurt and Mike from The Fastbacks, introduced as "The What." (This was actually their second appearance ... the first being the 11/5/96 Vera show.) Jeff (introduced as Ed's brother, "Willy What"), joins the group for 'Young Man Blues.' During The Fastbacks' set, Stone joins them for 'Mankind." Ed again does the fast speaking or nursery rhyme (whatever it is) like the Berlin show during 'Habit.' The crowd starts a very spirited Portugal chant, which PJ picks up on and turns into a cool jam. After 'Smile,' Ed acknowledges Stone for playing bass guitar, and thanks Stone's parents (who are at the show) for having Stone. During 'Porch,' Mike inserts a few of the Rolling Stones' 'Can You Hear Me Knocking' riffs into the jam, and Ed climbs the speakers and dives. The (excellent!) crowd goes wild and Ed emerges with his shirt ripped up in back. He pulls it off and tosses it to the crowd, drapes himself with a towel and that's it. A very on show!
main and encore setlist scan
Young Man Blues (5h Song X for May)
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poster11/25/96 - Dramatico: Cascais, Portugal [135m]
support act: The Fastbacks
set: Who You Are, Animal, Hail Hail, Tremor Christ, Corduroy, Better Man, Not for You, Off He Goes, Mankind, Even Flow, Jeremy, Daughter/(Androgynous Mind), Sometimes, Rearviewmirror, Immortality, Footsteps, Hunger Strike, State of Love and Trust, Alive
enc: Once, Black, Smile, Porch, Yellow Ledbetter, Rockin' in the Free World
notes: Some of PJ play during The Fastbacks set, similar to the previous night. Ed joins them, wearing a silver suit and mask for 'Leaving Here,' introduced as Kim Warnick's "husband," while Mike watches, smiling, from the side of the stage.
Ed intro's 'Better Man' as one not played the night before, notes his hurting throat and says he might need some help singing. He explains, during the quiet interlude of 'Not for You,' (a song for which Ed likes to discuss the lyrics and their meaning) that the lyrics mean what you hear and if it wasn't for you, they wouldn't be there. 'Mankind' is dedicated to Stone's parents (still there :) ), with some playful guitar. After a quick "thanks" from Stone, Ed sings a little snippet of 'Mankind' lyrics in a falsetto a capella, and an unbelievable 'Even Flow' RAWKS! Ed begins motioning with his arms to create strange shadows against the back curtain. After a mention that they might play some different stuff, a great set of 'Footsteps' > 'Hunger Strike' > 'SoL&T' > 'Alive' follows. The crowd help sing on 'Hunger Strike,' with Ed gesturing for help and applauding the crowd at the end of the song. With great amusement, Ed hoists Mike onto his shoulders toward the end of 'Alive.' After thanking the fans who have followed the European tour, Ed trades his harmonica for a Portuguese flag with a fan in the pit and drapes it over the mic stand during 'Smile,' then wraps it around his waist like an apron, then puts it over Stone's face, and finally places it over Jack's bass drum. Climbing the lights again during 'Porch,' Ed holds a large utility broom high, then climbs down and sweeps the stage. Ed says that 'Garden' was requested but Stone says he's "forgotten how to play it." This show begins on a high note and never lets down. The super Lisbon crowd enjoyed one of the finest ... what a way to end this tour!
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poster12/03/96 - Caffe Latino: Rome, Italy
notes: Ed makes a surprise appearance, playing six songs after Hovercraft's set.12/04/96 - Goa Club: Rome, Italy [75m]
attendance: 250
set: Off He Goes (Ed solo), The Kids Are Alright, I Can't Explain, My Generation, Corduroy, Immortality, MFC, Not for You, (Crazy Mary), Love->Building On Fire, Lukin, Next to You, Rearviewmirror, Rock 'n Roll Star, Improv, Around the Bend, Rockin' in the Free World
notes: Apparently an "invite only" gig at this tiny club, Ed plays another unexpected set, accompanied by Italian musicians Fausto Casara (drums) and Francesco Aliotta (bass). This intriguing setlist is played with great enthusiasm and with few pauses except for frequent guitar tuning changes. The largely Italian crowd sings along in a great mood. An unusual slow starting version of The Who's 'My Generation' (with a lyrical substitution of "why don't you all fuck off?") followed by an initially almost unrecognizable fast version of 'Corduroy' are delightful. 'Immortality' features a slow start and Ed has the guitar solo here, a rarity. A 'Jeremy' riff is played before Ed announces, "This is a new song ... my favorite new song right now," leading to 'MFC,' a new, fast paced, short rocker, inspired by the traffic in Rome (which later appears on Yield).(482k)
'Love -> Building On Fire,' the Talking Heads' first release, is a rare surprise. After having fun with a funky guitar tab on The Police song, 'Next to You,' and Ed's enthusiasm on 'RVM' briefly leaves his new bandmates in the dust initially, until he slows down, makes a quick apology and they continue together. Ed is in rare form here ... he apparently wasn't ready to end the tour after the wonderful Lisbon shows and this performance is a real treat!
Copyright © 1996-2004 Jean Bruns, All Rights Reserved
