The 40 greatest concerts in Boston history: 10

I just saw Pearl Jam for the first time this past April, but back in 1994 I was working for a guy who used to pick me up on the Charlestown Bridge every morning that winter. I remember it was one of the snowiest winters I had seen in a long time. Anyway, my boss would not shut up about this show for a year and I always felt jealous that I hadn't witnessed it. I gave Pearl Jam the hardest time because I was a staunch Nirvana backer. I owned Ten and Versus so it was not like I didn't like these guys, but Kurt Cobain had just shot himself (if we believe what we hear) and I was pissed. Definitely not in the mood to hear about Pearl Jam's greatness. I had no idea O.J. would be set free and that Jerry Garcia would die the following year obviously, but I was in a foul mood. Now that I finally got to see Pearl Jam I can see what all the fuss was about. This was one of those shows I'll always know about, but will always regret not seeing.

I was unable to buy tickets to the Garden shows but Pearl Jam added a third show at the Orpheum that was the first live show I ever saw. Eddie Vedder announced to the capacity crowd in the Theater that he would be playing songs that he hadn't played in a while. We were treated to subdued tracks like "Yellow Ledbetter", "Black", and "Immortality". The night went back and forth between muted, reflective songs and ripping versions of "State of Love and Trust", "Glorified G", and countless classics. It was a mind-crushing two and a half hour set of old classics and soon to be classics. Truly a legendary night for those who were there.

I saw "Pearl Jam" listed as the #10 show and figured it had to be the Orpheum show. Not having been to the Garden shows, I can't say this was a mistake. But I will vouch for the idea that this show belongs on your list. Understand that I nodded continuously while reading Lowell BT's account. Truly legendary. The early chat with the crowd still remains with me -- i.e. that the Crew wrote the set list. I remember this as the first time I had ever heard "Better Man," and being blown away by its warm strains. Similarly, it included B-sides that later became more familiar -- primarily, Yellow Leadbetter, but also Dirty Frank, Hard to Imagine, etc. But what I recall is the list of covers. Sonic Reducer, with Mark Arm of Mudhoney sharing the mic. And, in the final encore, a grinding version of The Beatles' "I've Got a Feelin'" that seemed to blissfully go on forever. Spilling out into the Common area after the show, I felt like I had paid witness to history -- a feeling unlike that following any of the scores of shows I enjoyed throughout the 90s.