Never put your cat in the washer...you might get a sock in the puss

Here is a review of Pearl Jam's Benefit show Friday for the Northwest School.

Pearl Jam didn't just rock the house Friday night. It rocked the school. And all for a good cause. In a sold-out benefit concert at the Paramount Theatre for The Northwest School, an independent college prep school for grades six through 12, the Seattle rock band joined fellow Seattle music luminaries The Presidents of the United States of America, Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart and Grammy-winning jazz guitarist Bill Frisell in celebrating the school's 25th anniversary. From the opening remarks by master of ceremonies Tom Skerritt to the boisterous finale of "All Along the Watchtower," the concert celebrated the creativity The Northwest School has fostered since it opened in 1980. Each of the acts shares a bond with the school, housed in a 100-year-old building on Summit Avenue. Pearl Jam guitarist Stone Gossard and PUSA drummer Jason Finn are alumni (classes of 1984 and '85, respectively); Frisell's daughter, Monica, is a 2004 graduate; and Ann Wilson's daughter, Marie, is scheduled to graduate in 2010. "I am proud, honored and very happy to be here tonight," a beaming Gossard told the audience before Pearl Jam took the stage at about 10:30 p.m. Gossard learned to play guitar in the hallways during his junior year at The Northwest School. Singer Eddie Vedder acknowledged the milestone and quipped that if Gossard hadn't learned to play guitar there, Pearl Jam might not have formed years later and Vedder might have ended up singing in a boy band -- or married to Cameron Diaz. The concert drew a diverse crowd, from students and their parents and grandparents to rowdy Pearl Jam fans eager to catch a hometown performance by the band. The concert was also the first time Pearl Jam has played publicly with Frisell, who won a Grammy Award in February for contemporary jazz album for the CD "Unspeakable." Frisell, who cheerfully admitted being "scared to death" by the capacity crowd, played a short, technically awesome set that highlighted his eclectic musical tastes. It was also Frisell's birthday, and a giant birthday cake with two candles was delivered to the stage, to be shared later with Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament, whose birthday was about a week ago. Vedder led the audience in a "Happy Birthday" singalong. Alex Revelas was the first of three talented students to take the stage between sets, performing a topical song titled "Perfect Silence" while accompanying herself on acoustic guitar. Ann and Nancy Wilson, calling themselves the evening's "folk act," delivered a powerful set that featured Nancy's remarkable guitar and mandolin playing and Ann's riveting vocals. The sisters performed songs from their most recent Heart album, "Jupiters Darling," as well as the longtime favorite "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" by Elton John. Ann Wilson dedicated "The Fallen Ones," from "Jupiters Darling," to "all those people out there with their butts on the line." Student Jonah Cohen filled in before The Presidents took the stage, performing a remarkable version of Skip James' "Illinois Blues." The Presidents, featuring Finn on drums, Chris Ballew on lead vocals and bass and Andrew McKaeg on guitar (substituting for Dave Dederer), were dressed in slacks, short-sleeved dress shirts and matching striped ties. The animated group played a selection of new and old songs, from "Boll Weevil," "Peaches" and "Dune Buggy" to new songs "Some Postman" and "Love Everybody." Ballew's manic energy and comical presence made the set a delight. Finn also joined in the clownishness by leaving his drum riser to play his drumsticks on any available hard surface, including the stage floor. After a brief intermission, Vedder and keyboardist Boom Gaspar took the stage for a stirring version of The Who's "The Kids Are Alright," a fitting tribute to The Northwest School and its students and staff. Remaining band members Gossard, Ament, drummer Matt Cameron and guitarist Mike McCready joined Vedder and Gaspar for thunderous versions of "Porch," "Save You," "Given to Fly" and other songs. Frisell added his guitar magic to a wonderful "Crazy Mary." And the band played a new, untitled song -- a special treat for concertgoers. Relaxed and in good spirits, Vedder sipped alternately from a mug of tea and a bottle of wine. The stunning finale of "All Along the Watchtower" featured Pearl Jam, Ann and Nancy Wilson, Chris Ballew, Frisell, Cohen and student cellist Eli Weinberg. Ballew, the most energetic of the bunch, tangled with Vedder as the two fell to the stage floor in a grinning heap while still playing their instruments. After scrambling back to their feet, the pair finished the song with dueling Pete Townshend-style
windmills, adding another comic touch to a night of community good will.


A weird vid that reminds me of a Tool video: http://www.fazed.net/common/content/out.php?id=7910


Q: How many Bush Administration officials does it take to screw in a light bulb?
A: None. There is nothing wrong with the light bulb; it's conditions are improving every day. Any reports of its lack of incandescence are delusional spin from the liberal media. That light bulb has served honorably, and anything you say undermines the lighting effect. Why do you hate freedom?



More later-HM