Anyone else stopped listening to older boots? I think the last time I listened to one was the 1994 Orpheum bootleg, and that I only listened to once. The older shows are great, but I've grown to really like the variety in the 1998-2006 sets.

I've given up on pre-2006 bootlegs.

I've given up on the return of thodoks and lenny

I want some decent 1998 recordings (beyond the few well known standards).

Before they brought back a lot of songs that had been on the shelf, like leash, who you are, no way, all those yesterdays and etc it was great getting to hear that stuff live, but now they play most everything so the total show variety is great. But i still gotta listen to the old stuff for the improvs, ive got a feeling jams, and other nice covers and things the did back then

Plus it's nice to hear Ed not sounding like shit.

That part i dont like, it really really makes me regret my times through out the 90s where i misst my chances to see them in person

Yup, laziness prevented me from seeing them when I was college in Burlington, VT in 1991 and when I was living a stone's throw away from Randall's Island in 1996. The Randall's Island misses were inexcusable on my part.

93 i think, the show sold out in 5 minutes, 94 & 95 my cousin didnt let me know about the shows untill after they were on sale and i missed out, and 96 it was nerly impossible for me to get through on the phone with the different agency they were using

I've almost entirely given up on post-2000 bootlegs.

The performance level after that tour just isn't there, plus I lean towards favouring Abbruzzese or Irons on drums for this band anyway.

As the variety increased in their sets, the shows got sloppier and less-focused. I don't listen to Pearl Jam shows very often (that might pick up again at some point, who knows), but when I do I'd rather hear tight, impassioned versions of the regulars than under-rehearsed rarities.

Vault shows from 1993-1998 are the thing I'm most hanging on for with these guys right now, more so than a new album/tour. I'm very glad I saw them with Jack at least once.

I've given up on ever getting road head.

Our Baltimore road trip could prove fruitful, numbers.

As if seeing an actual working Baltimore corner wouldnt be enough.

I have a hard time going back and listening to post-2000 boots. Whenever I put a show on its usually from the 2000 tour and back with 1998 being my favorite. The band was at their peak a as far as the live show goes.

I agree with this. The set list variety/rarity monster really has taken its toll on this band. What used to be an attribute now is somewhat of a negative in my mind. They simply aren't rehearsed enough to have any business playing all that random shit.

I much prefer 98-03. Improvs, better covers, Ed doesn't sound so ragged and seems to at least try to remember the words. Mike's guitar tone was a lot better pre 06 as well. I'll never forget how shitty he sounded during Evenflow at Summerfest in 06...

I used to like the improvs, but I find myself much more interested in having that time devoted to an actual song. Improving during a song is different. That I'd love to hear more of.

Agreed, Pearl Jam could do with some improving.

I guess I have kinda gotten used to Ed's tobacco-ravaged voice to the point where the older stuff is what sounds a bit off.

not saying i want them to go back into doing full improvs again, but they were pretty cool to find when trading older shows back in the day, and a plus since there was less material for them to vary the setlists with. and im with you, doing it during songs a little more would be nice.

Loved that pre Habit improv thing they did on the 98 tour.