Wed 27 Jun – Chris Cornell

Frist things first, i couldnt have gone to this gig without a great friend, who was legend enough to invite me this gig, and pay for .. well most of it. i have now seen another one of my heroes. legend.

Soundgarden have been one of the most underated bands that have existed, but last night, Chris proved that there songs are perhaps some of the most important, and best in rock history. This chris solo gig was soundgarden heaven, and it was brilliant. First things first, we got to congratulate chris's touring band, they were fantastic, and really helped pull the gig together. I worked through to chris back catlouge backwards, from slave to sg and tod. and i've always placed slave as the better band, from last nite i wont. The Soundgarden songs hold together on there own alot better than what were given slave wise. im not saying audiolsave were poor, because they're not, but the soundgarden songs last nite.. my christ.

The setlist (which is still to come) was a mix of audioslave and soundgarden with a couple solo songs and temple of dogs song to gawp at as well. But for me the soundgarden songs really stood out, chris was reaching notes, and just generally happy with everything, he had a massive grin all the time, i feel he is genuinly happy with what he is doing now, free to play these songs that the fans adore without the restriction of the 'slave members.

We all know chris has lungs like bagpipes, but he does have the off day, but his voice last nite was at another level, i was frankly astonished during say hello to heaven, how can a 40 year old do that?

Following the videos on the net i was expecting a mellow nite, but it was far from that, it was pratically 2 and a half hours of balls to the wall head banging, with jesus christ pose being the standout track of the night. I was lucky enough to be front row, and i travelled far enought to earn that ( from southampton), being close to god, over sound? i had to, but the sound was still solid, the band was overally tight, and hte bass player.. well he made my day during slaves and bulldozers. With a band willing to play what chris wants, chris was able to relax i feel, and concentrate more throughly on himself, his voice was better than at brixton a couple of years a go with slave. The chemistry betweent he band was great, there was laughter and messing around with his band, the chemistry on stage between them was funny, and pleasing.

There were a couple of downers. mainly one of the security guards laughing during bille jean, but song wise, i felt what you are and you know my name felt a bit lackstrue, there are better slaves song than what you are, and i was hoping for man or animal or shadow on the sun.

Overall the gig was fantastic, dev in my top 3, i apologiese for a rushed review but im still cant really think much about the gig. However, overall the whole couple of days were fantastic. first time flying, and first time in a great city. 9/10.

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Songs i can remeber (not in order)

Soundgarden
Rusty Cage
Outshined
Slaves and bulldozers
Jesus Christ Pose
Let me drown
My wave
Black hole sun
Spoonman


Audioslave
Cochise
Show me how to live
Like a stone
What you are
Be yourself
Dosent remind me
Original Fire

Solo
Mission
Never me your man
Billie jean
Sunshower

Temple of the Dog
Say hello to heaven