Pearl Jam: Touring Band 2000

Pearl Jam have proved themselves to be one of the enduring rock and roll bands of the 90's- still together, still making moving, combustible music that finds that perfect edge of hard-rock while still appealing to a massive audience. For its own cult group, which is rather big in and of itself, a DVD like Touring Band 2000 is a given to buy and soak up multiple times, but for the casual PJ fan it's worthwhile also. Classics like 'Daughter', 'Better Man', 'Even Flow', and some of my other favorites like 'Animal' and 'Rocking in the Free World' are among the lot of over two dozen songs included. The added treat is that the songs are NOT inter-cut with interviews, like other music DVD documentaries, and that they are from various concerts giving the wide range of material. I even dug the grainy style of filming, which could get under my skin, but stays above the line of incompetent, amateur filming. The style matches the energy and attitude that pours out of PJ with every song. However, one should get the DVD for its added bonus: bonus music videos, including one in particular for a favorite off of Yield- 'Do the Evolution', one of their very best videos directed by Todd McFarlane. To have this on video somewhere is a big treat.

Well it isn't seeing them in person, but it's pretty close. Anyone who has ever seen them live needs to own this. You will re-live the happiness that you enjoyed that wonderful night when you last saw them. And for anyone who has not been so fortunate as to see them live, you can see for yourself just what you have been missing.

Pearl Jam (Jeff Ament, Stone Gossard, Mike McCready, Ed Vedder, and Matt Cameron) open the set (songs taken from different shows from the 2000 tour) with a moving rendition of "Long Road" and then proceed through the early setlist rockers "Corduroy", "Grievance", and "Animal". Before "Given To Fly", Ed notices a woman who is translating what he says to the crowd in sign language. He invites her on stage for the next song, and then dances with her as the song closes. During the "Rearviewmirror" jam, a highlight of any Pearl Jam show, the video cuts from the performing band and shows some kind of distorted image of the band members walking around - like some kind of hallucination. Then as the jam ends, it cuts back to the performance video.

As the band finishes the first encore with "Parting Ways", the camera follows the band as they walk backstage, giving the audience an angle they never see. They return to the stage and rip through Neil Young's "Rockin in the Free World". During the song, Ed helps a young boy up on stage. As Ed sings, the boy just keeps on rockin out. During the closing jam, Ed puts the boy on his shoulders and carries him back alongside drummer Matt Cameron. Ed hands the boy some drum sticks and the boy plays along with Matt.

The DVD extra features are very nice as well. Included are three montages from the European leg of the tour, set to previously unreleased instrumentals. Also included are 3 Matt cam videos ("Evacuation", "Evenflow", "In My Tree") where the camera stays on drummer Matt Cameron for the entire song; as well as music videos for "Oceans" and the animated rocker "Do The Evolution".

This DVD is reason enough for any Pearl Jam fan to go out and BUY a DVD player. There is no better way to keep your sanity until the next tour, than with "Touring Band 2000".

the year 2000 was unforgettable for many of us, pearl jam fans, who were lucky enough to attend one or more shows. this video gem is the perfect souvenir and is the ultimate documentary and closure of, maybe, the best tour the band has pulled yet.

the song selections are just plain great (even though a little bit more of "no code" wouldn't have hurt) and the special features are amazing. the new instrumental songs were my favourites. the matt cam, too.

it caught my attention that it was filmed by the road crew and they must have been perfecting their style along the tour because the mayority of the selected venues are among the last ones, that means no europe and very few from the first north-am leg. but still, who is complaining?

the band is better than ever, the energy is great and not only you can see it, but you can hear it. LOUD! the sound is way better than the mix from the previous DVD (single video theory), kudos to Mr. brett eliason.

go listen to it. you'll be thankful to mike, jeff, stone, ed and matt for making such great music, and by the end of it, you'll be smiling.

this is my favourite DVD, but keep in mind that Pearl Jam is my favourite band.

I saw the Alpine Valley show ("Dissident" in Touring Band was shot there) and I felt the 20 degree cold air blowing through my ears mixed in with Pearl Jam's music while watching this DVD. The sound is excellent and it includes a Matt (Cameron)-cam, interesting because the drummer is overlooked too much in music, that shows the drummer side of a concert. This movie is well-titled and will allow the audience to feel what it's really like at a Pearl Jam concert. A+.

This is a great DVD for Pearl Jam fans and any person that simply loves music. This DVD follows one of the greatest Rock 'n' Roll bands of the past 15 years as they rock the faces off concert goers during the Binaural Tour in the Summer & Fall of 2000.

This DVD is visual proof that Pearl Jam is clearly one of the best live acts of all- time. Highlights from shows throughout the U.S. are shown, and Pearl Jam's

raw energy and power, that attracts their fans to come to their shows again and again and again can be felt by anyone who watches this DVD.

When I got this DVD, I was sooo psyched to see that a show I attended at Jones Beach in Long Island, NY was represented on the DVD. This is still one of my favorite Pearl Jam shows that I have attended to date. I was also doubly glad to see that one of my most memorable moments at Pearl Jam show was

represented too. This is when they sing Daughter with the "Its OK" tag (a song by Dead Moon). This is and such an unbelievable moment. You have to watch

this to be able to feel and understand what I mean.

The features on this DVD are great too. For drummers that want to watch a real pro like Matt Cameron show you why he is one of the best, you need to watch

the "Matt Cam". The Oceans & Do the Evolution videos are also there for the

viewers to enjoy. There are some audio settings as well. Dolby 5.1 surround is available on this DVD for those who have a home theater.

This is a great collection of Pearl Jam footage from various shows throughout there 2000 US tour, it is surely not to be missed. It has some good features too.