W.M.A.

Happy Thanksgiving America- Excuse me while I rant and rave about what today's holiday means to me. For me, we should not celebrate for the just sake of partying, or because you feel that you have to due to tradition. Instead, actually open your eyes, take a good look around at what you've got... yes, it may not be much- but the little that we as the so-called "average" Americans do have, is worth more than precious gold, platinum or anything else in the universe. What we have is love, and it's absolutely priceless. We have family, we have friends, we have each other. And when it really boils down to it, that's all we need. You can go without food, water & shelter for so long... but can you really go without love? Without the company of another for an extended period of time? And wouldn't it be better to have at least one other person to be there with, even if you dislike that particular person that  your with? Imagine you were stranded on a small desert island- alone. How would you feel?

In any case, I, myself had a fantastic day filled with great conversation, excellent food, beer & wine... but most importantly- I spent it with my loved ones. I hope you had the priveledge of doing the same- happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Tonight, I bring you W.M.A. from the Versus Demos. As I've said before, I just love the unpolished sound of these, so I'm going with the flow here. W.M.A. is a song that's close to my heart because I was raised by parents who wern't necessarily what you would call hippies just by plain sight, but they sure as hell had the right idealisms. Sticking it to the man was instilled deep within me throughout the years. This song just pumps me up all the way & makes me wanna go start a protest down at my local cop-shop. It's awe-inspiring.

Before I go, I wanna scream h-e-l-l-o at a couple of friends: VedderFreak & Rox-Man... without friends like you two, this blog wouldn't be possible. Thanks.

The picture I've enclosed is the artwork for the 1993 vinyl edition. Peace, Love & Pearl Jam!

WMA.mp3 (13.27 MB):

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

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."