Eddie Vedder @ Bourbon & Beyond

Eddie Vedder Flies Solo and Thrills Crowd

My phone does crazy things sometimes. It’s probably user error, but I’ve noticed serendipity associated with it. This morning my phone surprised me by randomly playing “Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town” from Pearl Jam.  Released on the Vs. album in 1993, it’s one of my favorites.

I watched Eddie Vedder sing this to a crowd of adoring fans during the Bourbon and Beyond Festival in Louisville, KY this weekend. Vedder sounds as poignant and committed as he ever has. I appreciated the solo, acoustic set and wasn’t surprised that these songs translate so well to this simple form.

In the Pearl Jam biography by Mick Wall, Vedder said of this song: “It’s kind of about a lady, and she’s getting on in years, and she’s stuck in this small town. Small towns fascinate me: You either struggle like hell to get out, to some people want to stay cause then they’re the big fish in the small pond, and then others just kind of get stuck there. So here she is working in this little place, and then an old flame comes in, and he’s probably driving a nice car and looking kind of sharp – not a fancy car, but he’s moved on. And then she sees him, and at first, she doesn’t even remember who he is, and then she realizes who it is. She’s just too embarrassed to say ‘hello.”

Eddie Vedder’s performance at the top-drawer Bourbon and Beyond Festival felt special because it was. If you have the chance — catch his performance. It was simply excellent.

Grade: A

LIVE, SOLO, ACOUSTIC, INCREDIBLE

Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town

(Lyrics credited to all members of Pearl Jam, however; it was primarily written by vocalist Eddie Vedder.)

I seem to recognize your face

Haunting, familiar yet, I can’t seem to place it

Cannot find the candle of thought to light your name

Lifetimes are catching up with me

All these changes taking place

I wish I’d seen the place

But no one’s ever taken me

Hearts and thoughts they fade, fade away

Hearts and thoughts they fade, fade away

I swear, I recognize your breath

Memories like fingerprints are slowly raising

Me, you wouldn’t recall for I’m not my former

It’s hard when you’re stuck upon the shelf

I changed by not changing at all

Small town predicts my fate

Perhaps that’s what no one wants to see

I just want to scream hello

Well, my God it’s been too long

Never dreamed You’d return

But now here You are and here I am

Hearts and thoughts they fade away

Hearts and thoughts they fade, fade away

Hearts and thoughts they fade, fade away

Hearts and thoughts they fade away

Hearts and thoughts they fade, fade away

Fade away, fade away

Bourbon and Beyond – Louisville

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