Comment of the Moment: Nephew Eddie and Uncle Neil

The Comment of the Moment is on Nephew Eddie and Uncle Neil by Greg M (A Friend Of Yours) in response to Anonymous's challenging PJ's primacy:

Even at the apex of PJ’s popularity, and I find no reason to call it into question, Neil was still a stand alone act both in terms of a still then current vitality, and in terms of historical relevance and importance. Any number of big names have elbowed their way to open for Neil. I personally have seen Steve Forbert, The Pretenders, and The Gin Blossoms, just to name a few, and that I know of Neil has never opened for another act in like manner. He was never, and to this day is not, a greatest hits show of warmed over former significance, representing a stab at a quick buck or an attempted return to a fleeting sense of former glory.

You’re right that PJ was the bigger act, but this just highlights my point. Neil wasn’t too big to acknowledge the fact, and conversely, PJ and Vedder aren’t too big to create a focus within their own music for an appreciation of Neil. Further, when the two of them meet up in the same place and the same time, you get a Mirror Ball or a European tour that create a whole greater than the sum of all the available parts. You get something that transcends self importance and exclusivity. You get two forces open to each other in a way that creates warm heartedness, something you wish was more prevalent.

It’s hard to be too critical of those who opt out of the mutual appreciation act that Neil and PJ have going. Mr. Big seems to be a nice guy, and like all of us has his own insecurities to overcome, for whatever reasons. I just think it’s a shame. Ego, talent and artistic sensitivity are all a delicate balance, and only those who have it know where the lines are drawn and where they have the potential to converge. Therefore, it doesn’t happen all the time. Lets enjoy it when it does, is all- and Neil and PJ are not the exception, and be grateful that as fans of Neil we have front row seats.

Thanks Greg M (A Friend Of Yours)!

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