memorabilia

i've been to quite a few concerts over the years.. for the last couple of them i had decided i wouldn't try to take pictures or record snippets of the shows. it was a conscious decision. for most bands that i want to go watch, i'd like to absolutely immerse myself in the music and focus on the music and the music alone. the distraction of "hey, this might make for a great photo op" or "wow, this is the part he goes into that guitar solo, must record!" has gotten to me in the past.

this was rammed home pretty brutally for me after the Maiden show when listening to the recording i had of "Wasted Years" on my cellphone. the recording sounded like crap, and i didn't remember really enjoying the moment at the show itself! so the new motto is that i am going to totally enjoy any shows that i go to, and focus on relishing the music which i can always relive in my head where it will always be better than any version i can reproduce on a dig-cam or cellphone.

of course, Pearl Jam are smart.. they sell live bootlegs of shows that you've been to so that the 'Jamily' (as PJ fans are called) don't bother trying to smuggle recording equipment into the concerts anyways!