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In Boston, fans marvelled at what they felt was a huge improvement in Chris's voice since he played the Avalon with Audioslave on their first American tour. Critics were more cautious, but the Globe said "his vocal cords remain some of the best in rock 'n' roll", Live Daily heard "a set of pipes that emit a rock-god howl no one else can come close to" and the Herald felt Chris was "in touch with his demons and ready to reckon with them all".
Chris introduced new song Ghosts, dedicated Safe And Sound to the victims of the Virginia Tech massacre, and unleashed a new arrangement (with drum solo!) of Soundgarden classic Slaves and Bulldozers for the final encore.
Spoonman - Outshined - Hunger Strike - No Such Thing - Like A Stone - Original Fire - Burden in my Hand - Pretty Noose - Seasons - Can't Change Me (acoustic) - Redemption Song (acoustic) - Doesn't Remind Me (1/2 acoustic) - Cochise - Safe and Sound - You Know My Name - Rusty Cage - Say Hello 2 Heaven - Ghosts - Black Hole Sun - Slaves and Bulldozers
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By Scott
"Slaves and Bulldozers...an ab-solute "balls to the wall.. satan and hellfire death music evil lives within us" performance...Cornell was Lucifer himself signing that song.. a show stopper that I will never forget! Yes, that good...I can only conclude that Cornell must have gone though a voice box transplant because his sings like he did in his twenties.. wails without limitation.. I saw him at this same venue with Audioslave during their debut tour and he was awful...just awful.. vocals were burnt to a crisp...this band kicks ass! The do Audioslave better than Audioslave ever did... and the Soundgarden numbers were thunderous!... If you have tickets to any future shows, consider yourself blessed."
by Matt D.
"I was in the front row at the Avalon Ballroom in Bostom on the April 19th show. The band impressed me more than i could have imagined (the Original Fire solo was great). Cornell appeared to have the ability to sing his entire catlogue. Slaves and Bulldozers was the final song and the band nailed it with a great drum solo in the middle. Someone from the audience gave Cornell a Bob Marley shirt, he took it and displayed it on the center of the drum platform. A few songs later he churned out his best performance of Redemption Song I have ever heard!! (The guy who gave Cornell his shirt said to me earlier that he flew in from Lafeyette Louisiana to attend his first Cornell show -- his name was Brian). His new songs were great. Safe and Sound is quite a nice bluesy piece, hard to recall what i heard after only one listen. He played Ghost which was very nice. You Know My Name is always a stunner, and No Such Thing!!! Many more great songs and performances..!!."
The Avalon - thanks to Peter Thorn for the photo
by benjo72
"Chris sounded awesome! While he still has some rasp to his voice, he can reach some pretty impressive high notes... much better than any concert since his first solo tour. Slaves & Bulldozers and Say Hello to Heaven were the tunes that indicated his healing the most. Ghost was cool, but I could not really hear all the lyrics. The chorus is something like, "he doesn't live here anymore." I agree with the earlier post that it does not involve much screaming... mostly head notes. I look forward to hearing it again as it sounds promising. My favorite new song is Safe and Sound. So good. Beyond the music, Chris looks happy and healthy and was really good with the audience. He even sang Redemption Song in response to a fan giving him a "very sweaty" tee shirt with Bob Marley on it. I've been a fan of his since 1991 and have seen him on tour five times now... and this was the best show yet (factoring in Chris' health and good spirit). Although I believe Soundgarden was the better of all his bands in terms of originality and intensity, this new band is super! It's like saying Odin is a better god than Thor. They're all gods. Anyway, I'll be at his Boston show in 15 years... for sure. "
"Best time ever" at the Avalon - thanks to Yogi for the photo
by ArtBrut
"I was so excited for this show that yesterday I couldn’t work and couldn’t eat. It was a (too) long wait and when he finally started, we went crazy. Or I did. I was hooting and singing and clapping and dancing and sweating – things I don’t normally do (anymore). Being short and in a crowd pretty much guarantees you won’t see much, but I found a spot on a step with a clear 30’ view the whole show! I didn’t take my eyes off him. You know he sounded great, looked happy. You read the setlist and know the band sounded good, but did anyone think they were too loud? Not in an ear-splitting way, but in a drowning out the vocals way? I couldn’t “hear” his voice and lyrics behind the wall of sound. I didn’t understand anything he said to us. And I don’t know how the crowd reaction differs from venue to venue, but here, we all seemed to be singing at the top of our lungs to every song (myself included) so that WE drowned him out as well. I THINK he may have jokingly said something to that effect. But then again, I can’t be sure. Maybe I just needed to turn up my hearing aid or take the cotton out of my ears. In any case, my first time with CC was so much fun. And stating the obvious – he’s just so damn good. As a very happy and satisfied woman right now (she says exhaling on an imaginary cig), I’ll just say….I LOVE HIM!!!!!!!"
by newsferatu
A young Boston college crowd was captivated as former Soundgarden/Audioslave singer Chris Cornell performed to a sold out crowd at Avalon in Boston. As he performed a vast array of hits from extensive career, Cornell managed to take his fans into the future solo career delivering a brilliant performance of four new songs that will appear on his upcoming solo release, Carry On, slated for a June 5th release.
Fans lined Lansdowne Street in the Fenway Park area early to see Cornell. For once, the buzz on the street in Boston was not about the Boston Red Sox, who were out of town in Toronto.
Cornell and his band, which featured Chris on vocals, Yogi Lonich (Wallflowers, Buckherry) on guitar, Peter Thorn on guitar, Jason Sutter on drums, and Corey McCormick on bass, delivered a riveting two hour set of hit songs. The set featured many sing-a-longs, captivating, emotionally brilliant vocals, and timeless, well-crafted lyrics spanning the Soundgarden, Audioslave and Temple of The Dog era.
Opening with "Spoonman", Cornell's band proved to be tight, and knew how to carefully orchestrate all of the softer, melodic melodies to perfect perfection without overbearing the Cornell’s vocals.
Chris led the audience into a sing-a-long with "Hunger Strike". “Well we have two bars on each side of the stage. By the end of the night, you all will be singing anyway. So why not get started now?" Cornell said, jokingly.
One of my new favorite songs has to be the first single off of Chris's new solo album, ”No Such Thing". This is my new favorite heartbreak song. The melody is very catchy, and I think everyone at some point in their life will identify with the “love gone wrong” lyrics. Chris sang the song with conviction and strength. I was sold at the opening chord.
Cornell said the performance would feature a mixture of old songs and new songs the audience would be hearing for the first time. I find the strategy of playing his solo songs live before the album goes on sale to be interesting. It really gives the band time to develop the songs in a concert setting while building anticipation in fans who will, hopefully, want to go out and buy the new album when it becomes available.
The performance was impressive while presented in a stripped-down mode. The only props used in the performance were the background of lighted stars that sparkled on the black backdrop. Chris's vocals were hauntingly beautiful. As the singer songwriter painted a canvas with his heartfelt melody and lyrics. One of the most moving moments of the set occurred, when Chris took center stage with just his acoustic guitar. Chris and his band performed the moving acoustic song, ”Seasons", and then Chris performed a three song acoustic set. Just to show how all the different genres of music played a major role in tonight's performance, Chris performed the reggae tune, "Redemption Song" in honor of Bob Marley. A fan gave Chris a Bob Marley T-shirt before the acoustic set. The song had a catchy melody, and also payed tribute to the men and women who are fighting for freedom.
Chris also performed another new song entitled, ”Safe and Sound”. He dedicated this song to the fallen heroes of Virginia Tech. Chris said, ”I have always wanted to write this song. When I was young, and playing at a park I witnessed this type of violence."
Another highlight was the song, ”You Know My Name", which was recorded for the latest James Bond movie, ”Casino Royale". It has a catchy feel, and haunting melody.
The hits just kept coming as the band played, ”Doesn’t Remind Me," and ”Rusty Cage."
The audience just wouldn't let Chris go, as he saved the best for last, with one of his most powerful hits, ”Black Hole Sun".
When news broke back in February that Chris Cornell had left Audioslave due to musical differences, many wondered what the future would hold for the talented songwriter. After tonight's performance, there is no doubt in my mind that Chris seemed happier than ever with his career decision. His unique, powerful vocals raged with emotion and passion. As Chris sang with much conviction and proved that tonight in Boston, there was no where else we wanted to be more tonight than onstage singing the songs that emerged out of an era when the songwriting emphasis was put on real life situations and people. The connection between performer and audience was never so real.
Be sure to check out Chris Cornell on tour this Spring and Cornell’s solo album, Carry On, when it is released on June 5th.
From fan reviews at knac.com April 22, 2007
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Boston Live Daily
Chris Cornell in Boston
by Jon Zahlaway, LiveDaily Senior Writer, April 20, 2007
Armed with an arsenal of hits that spans the past decade and a half, and backed by a band of hired guns who quite capably covered them all, singer Chris Cornell (music) rolled into Boston last night (4/19) and showed the sold-out Avalon crowd that, yes, his voice really does sound as amazing in person as it does on all those albums.
Early in the set, Cornell commented that Boston is where he gave his first solo performance after splitting with grunge-rock juggernaut Soundgarden and releasing his inaugural solo album, 1999's "Euphoria Morning." Since then, the singer spent several years fronting Audioslave, a group he formed with Rage Against the Machine power trio Tom Morello (guitar), Tim Commerford (bass) and Brad Wilk (drums). After helming the band for three well-received albums, Cornell announced earlier this year that he was going it alone again, citing "irresolvable personality conflicts as well as musical differences."
During last night's show, the singer was visibly unburdened by personality conflicts and musical differences as he smiled his way through a set that was all about him; sure, he gave ample props to the two guitarists, bassist and drummer with whom he shared the stage, but the marquee said "Chris Cornell," and it was his staggering catalog of alt-rock hits that pulled in a sold-out crowd. Why take orders when you can be the boss?
The crowd offered plenty of positive reinforcement, heaping screams and applause upon the singer as he and his group worked their way through the setlist.
One of the crowd's most frenzied responses came when Cornell and company broke out "Say Hello 2 Heaven," a song from the 1992 album "Temple of the Dog," a one-off tribute to late Mother Love Bone singer Andrew Wood (once Cornell's roommate), who died of a drug overdose in 1990.
"This one is for a friend," Cornell said simply before diving into the number--which he completely nailed.
Truth be told, Cornell's voice--which had begun to show signs of wear during his stint with Audioslave--sounded the best it has in years during the Boston show, thanks partly to a clean mix, but due mostly to whatever the singer has done to restore his greatest asset: a set of pipes that emit a rock-god howl no one else can come close to.
As expected, material from Cornell's forthcoming sophomore solo effort ("Carry On," out June 5) got a more mellow reaction, though two such numbers--current single "No Such Thing" and "You Know My Name," a cut that first turned up on last year's "007 Casino Royale" soundtrack--were well received and proved that he still has plenty of creative fuel left in the tank.
The crowd would have gone home happy if things ended with first-encore closer "Black Hole Sun," but a positively scorching, second-encore rendition of the Soundgarden nugget "Slaves and Bulldozers"--a deep track from 1991's "Badmotorfinger"--caused jaws to drop and reminded longtime fans just why Cornell rose to fame in the first place.
From Live Daily April 21, 2007
Boston Globe
Solo again, Chris Cornell is ready to 'Carry On'
By Sarah Rodman, Boston Globe April 21, 2007
Chris Cornell stepped out as a solo artist following the demise of seminal Seattle rock band Soundgarden. His first solo gig, in 1999, was a low-key affair at Sanders Theatre. Back then the singer-songwriter asked for the audience's patience since he would be playing almost exclusively new stuff from an album, "Euphoria Morning," that had yet to be released.
Patience was not a necessary virtue Thursday night at a vacuum-packed Avalon.
Cornell, who put his fledgling solo career on hold in 2001 to front supergroup Audioslave until quitting two months ago, opened hard, loud, and strong with two of his best-known and loved Soundgarden songs: the tribal groover "Spoonman" and the muscular metal of "Outshined."
That pair was followed by the keening "Hunger Strike" from another grunge touchstone, the one-off 1990 Temple of the Dog project that found members of Soundgarden teaming up with future members of Pearl Jam.
While the equally familiar set list that followed may have delivered "Hey dude, remember the ' 90 s" nostalgia for many in the crowd, Cornell himself didn't appear to be dwelling in that twilight so much as joyfully acknowledging it.
When it came to his forthcoming CD, "Carry On," however, Cornell's song choices didn't keep up the evening's mood.
With the exception of the so-so Bond anthem "You Know My Name," they all have elements to recommend them, such as the sweet croon on the plea-for-peace ballad "Safe and Sound," which he dedicated to the families of the Virginia Tech shootings. But alongside loudly loved favorites "Black Hole Sun," "Burden in My Hand," "Like a Stone," and "Cochise," a couple of the album's harder, funkier tracks could have been more memorable. The songs weren't just fighting with collective memory, but with the authoritative brawn Cornell and his backing quartet brought to the rumbling riffs and rhythms, especially on a cage-rattling encore of "Slaves and Bulldozers."
New song or old, with the band or solo acoustic, however, Cornell's justifiably lauded voice was center stage. He may have lost a bit of stamina, but the seductively husky lows of "Doesn't Remind Me" or the skyscraping highs of the waltz-time charmer "Can't Change Me" were a constant reminder that his vocal cords remain some of the best in rock 'n' roll.
From Boston Globe April 21, 2007
Boston Herald
Solo, Cornell’s ready to bloom
By Christopher John Treacy, Boston Herald April 21, 2007
People aren’t going to forget about semilegendary Seattle-grunge pioneer Chris Cornell anytime soon.
He’s making sure of that.
Recently separated from his more recent band Audioslave, the former Soundgarden vocalist inspired gads of enthusiasm at a sold-out and overstuffed Avalon Thursday night.
The show started late. Cornell, who’s touring with no opener, didn’t turn up until almost 9 p.m. But when he finally got going, he proved his music is still worth celebrating, even if the wimpier material paled next to more aggressive numbers.
The show opened with a pair of Soundgarden tunes: “Spoonman” and “Outshined” both glowed red-hot with Cornell screeching at his powerful best, while Smash Mouth drummer Jason Sutter and bassist Corey McCormick pounded out tribal rhythms behind him.
The Black Sabbath-indebted “No Such Thing,” the first single from Cornell’s forthcoming “Carry On,” due in June, was a triumph. But things turned a corner during Audioslave’s “Like a Stone,” where letting the audience sing felt more like a cop-out than a shared moment of intimacy between artist and audience.
It also became evident that the dual guitar work of Yogi Lonich and Peter Thorn wasn’t enough to fully project Cornell’s music. Shredding away on either side of the singer, the pair sometimes sounded tinny, especially up against the more suitably booming bottom end.
The missteps along the way did manage to detract from what could’ve been a powerhouse performance: Cornell’s acoustic cover of Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song” brought nothing new to the song (even if the crowd loved it). The anthemic classic rock style of “Doesn’t Remind Me” and the utopian sentiments of the new “Safe and Sound” -which Cornell dedicated to people suffering in the wake of the Virginia Tech massacre - both came across as trite, especially against the dark-side backdrop of his best work.
It could be worse. At least Cornell isn’t one of these terminally tortured souls who refuses to revisit entire periods of his career in order to avoid painful memories. On the contrary. He seems thoroughly in touch with his demons and ready to reckon with them all.
From Boston Herald April 21, 2007
411.mania
Chris Cornell – the Avalon – Boston, MA – April 19, 2007
Chris Cornell sounds very enthusiastic, playing a number of songs he hasn't performed live in years... and they're all his tunes, folks.
Thursday was the Chris Cornell concert. Despite his management, I decided I couldn’t write a bad review (ah, the integrity), because the show was really good. Even though the word on this concert was that he’d be doing material from his various musical endeavors, from Soundgarden to Temple of the Dog, and Audioslave to solo work, I hadn’t really thought much of this fact, and that the show had great value, kind of like seeing a couple bands rolled into one.
I’d seen Soundgarden twice, but that was a long, long time ago. In ’90, they opened for Danzig, and were performing material off of Louder Than Love… same thing for when I saw them appearing on the second Lollapalooza tour in’92 (memorable for their cover of “Cop Killer”). I’d never seen Soundgarden doing material beyond their first two full-length releases.
Okay, time and place now… once again, there I was, underneath Boston Commons. Upon pulling into my parking space, I opened the mobile bar. Mixed one drink listening to the first Audioslave CD, and then mixed a double strong one for the walk to the Avalon.
This was a little closer than the Paradise Club, and I’d also get to walk down a different street… Newbury Street. That took me past all the fancy shops and restaurants in that area. And it got me to thinking how listening to people on the street and observing your surroundings is becoming a lost art with so many people on their cell phones (seemed like 60%). Perfect walking weather, too, by the way.
The Avalon is across the street from the city’s baseball stadium, which is why it’s a restaurant and pub district. Being oblivious to sports (aside from wrestling… yes, I know that’s sports ENTERTAINMENT), I was clueless. Here, too, was yet another sold out show. I guess I need to get used to very packed shows throughout the Boston and Massachusetts area (i.e., Peeping Tom and Type O Negative), or find more obscure bands (ha!).
There was quite a long line to get inside. My first impression of the venue was a bit negative, feeling I got oversearched. That’s earplugs, buddy… and that’s a pen and highlighter, okay? There was no opening act. I floated about trying to find a good vantage point. I ended up on the second level, around the one bar to the far left, and this turned out a good choice.
At the time, though, I had a fair amount of a wait, as everyone did. Time for editing The Galaxy Phobia. I had a good hour of that. And I maybe would’ve bought a drink, but I’m glad I didn’t, hastening my sobering up process (note to venues taking credit cards… $20 charge limit is very lame and loses business for you). I was liking the music they played during the wait… the Slits, the Ramones, and the Dead Boys? All good.
Finally, the show began. A small group had staked out the viewing area where I was before I’d gotten there. Happily, new arrivals solved the problem. Viewing solution? Hop up on the booth couch. So I did this, and since I was seated at the end of said booth seat, I had an uninterrupted view. Directly behind me were the two gals, clearly huge Chris Cornell fans, who went on to bellow the lyrics to songs slightly drunkenly and off key.
Why is it that that’s a mildly endearing thing, while males doing the same thing are obnoxious? Gender bias, I guess. Anyway, knowing that Chris would do a mishmash of tunes, it got me to thinking of when a band splits… is it like a divorce? Do they claim ownership to songs they mostly wrote under a band banner? Is permission granted? You can have this song (kid) on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, and I’ll take him/her (the song) all other days.
I’m too lazy to check all these songs, but since I’m listening to Down on the Upside as I write this, I know for a printed fact via the album insert that Chris entirely wrote “Burden in My Hand” and “Pretty Noose,” which he performed off that album.
Okay, I lied, because I’m still checking. “Black Hole Sun” and “Spoonman” (the show’s opener) off Superunknown… lyrics and music by Chris Cornell. And the solo stuff, that’s a no-brainer. Of course that’s his. There was “Seasons” off the Singles soundtrack (when else would you hear that sucker live), his Casino Royale soundtrack tune (first time I heard that one), a cover of “Redemption Song which people vaguely anticipated (not because some sweaty dude donated his Bob Marley t-shirt to the stage) (he did… I’m not kidding), an unidentifiable (to me) older solo track (“She….” something), and the three tracks off his soon to be released solo album.
As for the new tracks, first off, I very much respect that Chris toured this way, performing a slew of tracks from his other projects, and the sprinkling a few new ones in, as opposed to the other way around.
Bearing in mind it was a first listen, I liked “No Such Thing” the most, though I felt it reminiscent of a hungry Soundgarden or Stone Temple Pilots riff. I wasn’t as much into “Safe and Sound,” all good writing intentions on the subject matter aside, and “Ghost” musically is drawing a bit of a blank, besides the fact that it was part of the first encore (with “Black Hole Sun” and “Say Hello to Heaven”) and that it was its first live performance.
So as it stands, anyone who thus far has issue who Chris Cornell doing any of these tracks by himself… uh, you’re an idiot. The solo songs and the Soundgarden songs so far are 100% his own. I think the Audioslave songs factor more into the “bitter divorce” analogy that I spoke of. Credits for Audioslave go… all lyrics by Chris, music by the band. So musically, we don’t know who did what. With the likelihood that Audioslave will never be again (never say never), I’m damn glad I saw Chris solo doing this mix.
With Audioslave, I loved their debut, was rather disappointed by their follow-up, and never got the third album. As for what disappointed me about Out of Exile, the great fire and interesting combination of the debut turned into a happy, light mellow sound on the second album.
From Audioslave, Chris played “Cochise,” “Like a Stone” (garnering a huge sing-a-long that he prompted), “Doesn’t Remind Me” (yes, off the lighter second album, but I’m glad he did it, and also would’ve liked to hear “Be Yourself”), and “Original Fire” off the last album, which sounded decent, but was news (new) to me. I did miss hearing “Show Me How to Live” and “Set It Off”… but hey, we can’t get all we want. Besides, when are you gonna hear Temple of the Dog songs performed… and guess what? “Hunger Strike” and “Say Hello to Heaven”? Lyrics and music… Chris Cornell. Once more, anyone debating the legitimacy of him doing this solo… uh, they’re his frickin’ songs.
The last three songs I’ve yet to mention go as far back as Badmotorfinger. Writing credit? “Outshine” and “Rusty Cage” are both lyrics and music by Chris Cornell. As for his second, closing encore, “Slaves and Bulldozers,” he was the lyricist, and co-wrote the music with Ben Shepherd.
So in essence, anyone pissing and moaning about this tour, with Chris doing material from various projects he’s been in… get a grip, and you’re an idiot. The dude wrote 95% of what he’s performing. For those who don’t care a snot about that issue, probably check the show out, because it’s probable you won’t hear some of those tunes live again for a while.
During the second encore, because I’d been set to leave, only to be surprised that there was a second encore, I reclaimed my seat, and Erika introduced herself. She was curious as to what I was writing. Song notes. Nice to meet you. I shook her hand. Then, just as the last chord of the last song ended, I melted into a Boston night (you’ll find me in a parking garage under the Commons).
If a sampler of Chris Cornell's output from Soundgarden's Badmotorfinger to the last Audioslave album (all points in between), with some new solo stuff mixed in, interests you in any way (as it interested me), be sure to catch this tour. There's lots of songs you might never see live again.
411 Elite Award Final Score: 8.5 [ Very Good ]
by Jesse McCoy, 411mania.com
In January 2008, Jesse McCoy included the show in his 411mania roundup of the best of 2007.
"I nearly wanted to give this one a bad review, because his label, or the PR department there, were so smarmy. I guess it's an LA thing. I don't know. Part of me was happy when his solo release got less than glowing reviews. Despite that, I couldn't give the show a bad review. It was really good. As far as I'm concerned, despite being labeled Chris Cornell… I got a Soundgarden, Temple of the Dog, and Audioslave show all rolled into one. I'm a stickler for musicians who write all the words and music to tunes from other acts not only being allowed to perform them with whomever they want, but I also consider it just as good as seeing the "official" act live. Where else are you ever going to hear Audioslave songs live again, to say nothing for Temple of the Dog? Plus, I hadn't seen Soundgarden since Lollapalooza II. So this one was very good in my book."
Photo © EmpyreLounge.com used by permission - see more here
Check out these pro portrait shots of Chris from this visit to Boston.
Ghosts (thanks Bostan1976)
Can't Change Me extract (thanks juan0283)
Say Hello 2 Heaven extract (thanks rascalh)
Chris Cornell Fan Page © Clare O'Brien 2007
