Chris Cornell - 20 October 2011, at the Palais

My reaction to the first Cornell show was a bit lukewarm, but I thought his singing and the overall performance at this show were better than the first (my opinion of the first show has increased a bit with repeated listens too).  The crowd were much more vocal too, which he seemed to appreciate (though if you're going to yell out song requests why waste your time yelling for Hungerstrike when thats a song he plays every single night?).

On the other hand the girl next to me talked most of the way through the show (and manages to be heard on a few songs) - I don't really get why you'd want to pay $90 to go to a show and talk through it, but even if you do, please don't since you ruin it for the people that actually want to listen (not that she seemed to care).

The highpoints for me were Man of Golden Words, State Trooper (perhaps he could use a bit more looping in future?), Doesn't Remind Me, and A Day in the Life.  The low points - stupid talking girl, and Redemption Song (it's a great song, but I find it hard to take people seriously who play it acoustically, unless they happen to be Bob Marley).

http://www.mediafire.com/?ubrjjbmbsbly7

Imagine
Problem Child
I Am the Highway
Dandelion
Sweet Euphoria
You Know My Name
Fell on Black Days
Billie Jean
All Night Thing
Hungerstrike
Man of Golden Words/Comfortably Numb
As Hope and Promise Fade
Burden in My Hand
Like a Stone
Preaching the End of the World
When I'm Down
State Trooper
Seasons
Spoonman
Can't Change Me
Redemption Song
Black Hole Sun
Doesn't Remind Me
A Day in the Life

Scream
Wide Awake
Sunshower
Thank You

Chris Cornell Poster

Thanks to everyone who has come for the first Chris Cornell show, hope you enjoyed it (if anyone has any comments, particularly flattery but constructive criticism too, they'd be appreciated). 

While you wait for the second show, I thought I'd post this, which might be of interest.  There was an option to pay $199 for a ticket that guaranteed a seat in the front 15 rows, a wrist band, pre-show drinks and nibbles, and a poster signed and numbered by the poster artist.  The poster was the main thing in that package that tempted me, but in the end I couldn't justify the cost.  But now a limited number of the posters are available for sale from the artist's (Munk One) website.  Each poster costs $US45, but a ridiculous $29 for shipping.  Nonetheless, $75 all up isn't too bad.  If anyone wants one the link is below.  Only 30 are available, out of a total of 600.


Munk One Chris Cornell Poster

Chris Cornell - 19 October 2011 at the Palais

I know a lot of people are keen to hear this one, so hear it is, I'll try not to blather as much as usual.

Comments on the show: my overall impression was that he fell back on his 'scream' too much.  The guy has got a great voice, but not necessarily the material to do it justice (not that he doesn't have great songs, just not as many of them as his voice deserves).  Part of the problem was probably the obvious comparison with Eddie Vedder's shows earlier in the year (admittedly I'm a much bigger EV/Pearl Jam fan than CC/Soundgarden/Audioslave fan).  The crowd was pretty quiet (which was good for the recording), but he still played a few 'requests' (as I pointed out in a comment that with hindsight sounds pretty bitchy, the printed setlist was identical to what was played, so the 'requests' were more acknowledgements).

Comments on the recording: apparently when the batteries are changed in my recorder the settings can reset.  This meant that the gain was set to Mid, rather than Low.  If this wasn't an acoustic show the recording would probably have been ruined, but fortunately there is only occassional distortion during the applause (the only song significantly affected is Ground Zero).  Otherwise, the recording is pretty decent quality.

http://www.mediafire.com/?4cdfbd0edgu49

(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding
Can't Change Me
As Hope and Promise Fade
Ground Zero
Be Yourself
Wide Awake
Fell on Black Days
Outshined
Blow Up the Outside World
Call Me a Dog
Hungerstrike
Wooden Jesus
Seasons
A Satisfied Mind
Thank You
When I'm Down
Mind Riot
Getaway Car
Sunshower
Like Suicide
Like a Stone
Doesn't Remind Me

Billie Jean
Say Hello 2 Heaven
Black Hole Sun
Burden in My Hand
Long as I Can See the Light