Hartford Connecticut 10-2-96

by: Chris M Hagan

I can't describe this feeling. Three weeks later I still haven't come down. The collective energy in the Meadows that evening was indescribable. It was so loud that I couldn't make out the opening notes of "Long Road". When EV started the second verse, "We all walk the long raod/cannot stay", there was this gravelly undertone in his voice that sent chills through my body. I was totally swept away by the freshness of "Last Exit" and the pounding groove of "Not For You". I thought "Red Mosquito" was the best song of the night. The slide really makes the song. I like the album version, but the fact that it was slideless slightly disappointed me after hearing it played in San Diego and San Jose.

To hear "Porch" was unreal; "Blood" had me upon my seat, providing backing vocals. I gave Ed a hand on "Lukin", what a plus that was in the set!!! "Present Tense" gave me the same feeling "Long Road" did. Mike worked an impromptu "Little Wing" in to the Ledbetter outro that just blew my mind. "Small Town" was surreal, as was "Who You Are".

I still remember the odd looks I got walking through the halls of school the next day. I had written the set on my arm during the show so I could remember it and it was a hot day and I wore a short-sleeved shirt and people kept stopping to ask me what was on my arm. "The set from the Pearl Jam show last night" "Oh, you were there? Did you get maced?" In a way, I guess, it's kind of sad that Hartford may be recalled by some as a riot show, but for me it will hold a special significance in my heart that after 3 years of waiting, 3 albums (since and including Vs.), and endless dreams, the greatest night of my life finally came true.

J's Brain