Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Pearl Jam - Built to Last

Their 2009 tour t-shirt says it all! Pearl Jam are built to last and proved it at their Sydney gig on Sunday 22nd November. In humid 40 degree heat the band rocked out the Sydney Football Stadium showing all the energy of their early days with a tight, cohesive set. Eddie's voice was in fine form and didn't falter despite having a cold and Mike McCready showed why he is one of the best guitarists in the world (in my opinion hugely underrated) with a superb guitar solo on Even Flow. Disappointing not to hear Black which they played as an encore at their Melbourne show two nights earlier, but the band pulled out some album track beauties (Garden, Why Go, Elderly Woman) reminding us that they are indeed in their element playing live. In true Pearl Jam tradition the band threw in some covers with Hunters and Collectors Throw Your Arms Around Me and a surprising rendition of Queen and David Bowie's Under Pressure dueted with support act Ben Harper, before finishing off the night with Neil Young's Keep On Rockin' In the Free World. Lets hope PJ keeps us rockin' for some time to come!

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

From The Vault - 'Dream On': Aerosmith

Long before such classics as Janie's Got A Gun and Walk This Way, Aerosmith released their first single Dream On in 1973. This is probably my favourite Aerosmith song, aforementioned hits aside. One of the first ever power ballads, its got a well deserved ranking in Rolling Stone's list of 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Monday, October 5, 2009

From The Vault - 'One Perfect Day': The Little Heroes

I'd completely forgotten this track existed until I  heard it on local community radio while driving through a country town in Victoria. A hit for long defunct aussie group 'The Little Heroes', One Perfect Day is a beautiful tune that pulls at the heartstrings of the sentimental and romantic amongst us. Well worth a listen!