Chris Cornell

No support tonight, as the frontman of Soundgarden, Audioslave and Temple Of The Dog takes to the Rock City stage. He has a backing band consisting of Peter Thorn and Yogi Lonich on guitar, Corey McCormick on bass and Jason Sutter on drums. This is a different band to those that helped record new album ‘Carry On’, as they could not commit to touring. The chemistry between the five guys on stage would make you think they have been together for years, not a matter of months.

Staring up at the six foot something Cornell, it’s hard to imagine how young he looks these days. Not that far off 45, the long hair of the Seattle grunge days is a short and scruffy do, but the little goatee and chiselled features are still there; wrinkle free. We are in for a treat tonight, as the set features songs from throughout Cornell’s musical career, and listening to great track after great track you forget how many songs he has under his belt. Hats off again to the band who had a “band camp” thing going preceding the tour to learn over fifty of Cornell’s songs.



Cornell is in charming form, having a laugh with the crowd (“It’s weird; there’s no-one smoking”) and messing around with the other band members, especially Thorn’s guitar. Something tells me that McCormick is a huge Soundgarden fan, as for those songs he is right at the front encouraging hand claps and singing along. The musicianship of classical rock guitarist Lonich and drummer Sutter (who played drums for the film Josie And The Pussycats!) is amazing.

For the first time this tour Cornell is singing Soundgarden tracks that he co-wrote with others, like ‘Jesus Christ Pose’, as well as a hoard of songs he has written himself. What makes this show good is that it is not just a promotional tour for ‘Carry On’, but a trip through his complete back catalogue. Though at thirty pounds a ticket (for Rock City!) it should be special.



There are some slower moments from the ‘Carry On’ album, with Cornel reminding us of his powerful vocal range, sometimes giving it a bluesy feel and wrestling with the guitar melodies. One of these is the track from the James Bond film Casino Royal, which allowed Cornell to “Meet the Queen, who is very nice!” Some fans, especially those stuck in the days of Soundgarden and not embracing Cornell’s other musical ventures, could look at his choice to follow in the footsteps of Shirley Bassey and the last male contributors A-Ha, and nearly down him. The fact is that the track is catchy and besides, who wouldn’t like to sing a Bond theme tune?

Cornell is left alone mid set, like he was sometimes during Audioslave shows, to play a couple of solo songs, the most memorable being a cover of Michel Jackson’s ‘Billie Jean’, which features on ‘Carry On’. This version is a stripped down and much slower take, minus the yelps from Jacko.



After seeing a shorter set on the first European date in Hasselt back in August, I am delighted to hear ‘Say Hello 2 Heaven’ dedicated to Andrew Wood of Mother Love Bone, and equally pleased that I finally get to hear ‘Seasons’ from the Singles soundtrack as the start of the encore. Add to this crowd sing-a-longs in the shape of Soundgarden tracks ‘Outshined’, ‘Rusty Cage’, ‘Spoonman’ and of course ‘Black Hole Sun’, it is over two hours of rock perfection. Cornell’s voice is as strong as ever (even after reports of strained vocal chords leading to the cancellation of some recent shows), and he and the others look to be having a genuinely good time, with no stress; which the fans notice and act upon. I would pay the high ticket price again when it involves a show this good; arena prices but for an intimate venue.

Silence The Voices
Original Fire
Let Me Drown
Outshined
Show Me How To Live
Say Hello 2 Heaven
You Know My Name
No Such Thing
Be Yourself
What You Are
Rusty Cage
Billie Jean
Doesn’t Remind Me
Cochise
Spoonman
Arms Around Your Love
Black Hole Sun
Jesus Christ Pose

Seasons
Burden In My Hand
Wave Goodbye
Slaves And Bulldozers

FUTURE GIGS

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