So I have been out of the loop blogging lately and I am so sorry for that. I have been occupied with my other vice and addiction. Pearl Jam music. For those that do not know, I am a Pearl Jam junkie. I have been for about 17 years or so.

I have grown up with Pearl Jam. Some of my angst filled high school years had tracks from “Ten” as the soundtrack. College saw changes in my life and there were Eddie, Mike, Jeff and Stone to console and cajole.

I have seen them more times than I can count live. Now, at age 34, a new album and a 2 show stretch right here at home in Seattle.

Washington State has one of the finest places to see a show in the form of the Gorge Amphitheater. While my favorite band has played this venue a number of times, my favorite place to see them play is the Key Arena. The Key arena is “home” for this band. Being from Seattle I am sure that these guys dreamed of playing the Key at one time or another.

It shows when they play there. I have seen 6 shows in the Key now, 14 shows in all, and there is something about that building. They really shine in the Key. I have seen great shows at other venues, but there is little that stands up to a show in the Key, for me.

So it was Monday the 21st.

We got downtown with about 3 hours to spare. After meeting friends and talking over potential set lists (the set lists change from night to night) and getting acquainted with new friends connected by a common bond, we headed to the show.

We got to our seats about 20 minutes before the boys took the stage. At “T-minus” the intro music started and my stomach felt like I was 3 under through 14 facing a reachable par 5. We all know that feeling, where we are just a touch out of our own bodies and ripe with anticipation.

They opened with “Long Road” and blazed through a fantastic first set. Highlights, for me, were “Hail Hail” “Save You” and “Down.” I am partial to Mike McCready (lead guitar player) songs so Down was a real treat for me.The first set was a ride, ups, downs, lefts, rights, it was special.

The second set was a slap to the face and a kick to the gut though. 2 new songs debuted to start including the new tearjerker “Just Breathe.” So maybe I am a pansy, but I get somewhat emotional over music. It is just the way I am built. Certain themes and certain music can reduce me to a blubbering mess. I was not prepared for what was next.

As soon as “Just Breathe” ended, Eddie was solo on stage with a string section for a song called “The End.” As soon as “The End” was complete, I looked down on Mike waiting on the side of the stage and recognized what was about to happen.

Before I could utter a word about him having his double necked guitar in tow, the opening chords of “Inside Job” filled the room. Now “Inside Job” is another Mike song and has reduced me to tears not only live but on album as well. This was a different experience all together.

My wife was right next to me and I didn’t recognize her. In fact, for 8 and a half minutes, there was no crowd. 25,000+  were reduced to me and my favorite band as they drove steaks into my heart. My tears had to have scared anyone within 3 rows of me and I could have cared less. Inside Job just does that.

I pulled myself together to get through the end of the show. They ended on “Alive” which is massive. For those that follow this band, ending on anything that is not “Yellow Ledbetter” is stand-out in itself.

I bid farewell to the Key and to the friends I met sitting in section 203 and headed into the Seattle night. my 13 time was LUCKY #13, and I still had a second night to go.

More on that later.

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