RELEASE ME.

I can specifically remember putting Release on many of the mix-tapes that I had made for my father as a child.

Ever since I first heard this song in 1993, it's always sent shivers up and down my spine, puts a tear in my eye & a lump in my throat- particularly when Eddie gets to the part where he's screaming in pain, "I'll wait up in the dark for you to speak to me...".

I've uploaded three versions of this song, and each one is special in it's own way of course. The first is the studio version- classic Ten is always a good way to go. The second is live from The Garden 1998- the pain in Eddie's voice seems more intense than ever at this show. The third is what I consider to be the absolute best of the best of this set though... I have for you tonight Release from the Mookie Blaylock demos- and once again, the pure grittiness and raw unhampered energy that's captured is reason enough to name Pearl Jam the number one rock band of all time. They don't need to be edited to sound good- it's almost preternatural, you could say.

Release - Live at the Garden 1998.mp3 (5.75 MB):

http://www.sendspace.com/file/1qqo55

Release - Studio Version.mp3 (3.60 MB):

http://www.sendspace.com/file/phy5ox

Release - Mookie Blaylock Demos.mp3 (9.22 MB):

http://www.sendspace.com/file/809dk0

I got some bad news about my father today, and well, I'm sending tonight's post out to him.

"Oh dear dad - Can you see me now?

I am myself - Like you somehow.

I'll ride the wave - Where it takes me.

I'll hold the pain - Release Me."

HIDE YOUR LOVE AWAY.

YOU'VE GOT TO HIDE YOUR LOVE AWAY:

I'm screaming h-e-l-l-o to all of my fellow Jammers, on this cold & snowy day here in Ashevegas. The other day I put 200 new random songs on my mp3 player and just now got around to listening to them. As I was listening, several Beatles songs came on- Helter Skelter, Golden Slumbers & Octopus' Garden... but then I came accross You've Got to Hide Your Love Away played by Eddie Vedder. I'm not sure which show it's from, but I felt that it deserved to be shared today. You see, when I was really little, my father & I didn't get to spend an awful lot of time together... but when we did, it was all about the music. He'd "pop quiz" me in the car on the way to school to see if I knew who was singing whatever song might be on. And when we were home on the weekends, he'd spin his records. Elton John, Iron Butterfly, and yes, the Beatles. Hide Your Love Away is one of those very nostalgic songs that have become a small yet very significant part of who I am today. When Eddie covered it for the soundtrack "I Am Sam", it was like hearing it again for the first time... so so many years ago. It created a special & unique connection for me- I suppose that you could say that it bridged the past with the present, & brought my entire life full-circle.

I hope you enjoy this as much as I have over the past couple of years- and keep spinin' the black circle baby!

HideYourLove.mp3 (5.11 MB):

http://www.sendspace.com/file/1lyoc5

"IF SHE'S GONE I CAN'T GO ON. FEELING TWO FOOT SMALL."

HAWAII '78.

I've had several requests for Hawaii '78. It's only been played twice in Pearl Jam history, and to be quite honest, I'm not sure which one this is. It was played on December 2, 2006 & on December 9, 2006 in Honolulu, Hawaii, and was first written and recorded by Israel Kamakawiwoole. The True Story of Hawaii '78 has a detailed page with the origin of this song: http://www.hawaiiseventyeight.com/.

And until next time, please enjoy!

Hawaii '78.mp3 (3.92 MB):

http://www.sendspace.com/file/fpdo9x

Translated lyrics can be found at:

http://www.lyricsdownload.com/israel-kamakawiwo-ole--hawaii-78-lyrics.html

"TEARS WOULD COME FROM EACH OTHER'S EYES AS THEY WOULD

STOP TO REALIZE THAT OUR PEOPLE ARE IN GREAT, GREAT DANGER NOW."