photo by Thomas Jaegle - used by permission
The first European date of the tour took place in Chris's home town, at a smart new venue under the historic Pont Alexandre III ... with an aftershow held at Chris's own Paris restaurant, Black Calavados.
Spoonman - Outshined - Original Fire - Arms Around your Love - You Know my Name - What You Are - Rusty Cage - Seasons - I Am the Highway (solo) - Can't Change Me - Scar on the Sky - Doesn't Remind Me - Cochise - Billie Jean - No Such Thing - Jesus Christ Pose - Mission - Say Hello 2 Heaven - Black Hole Sun - Call Me a Dog - Redemption Song - Like a Stone
by Heather
Chris Cornell played in his adopted hometown of Paris on May 15. He did a lot of old favorites ("Black Hole Sun", "Spoonman", "Outshined", "Doesn't Remind Me") as well as the James Bond "Casino Royale" theme song "You Know My Name" (I could listen to this a thousand times without getting sick of it). He also played some of the songs off the new album, including "Arms Around Your Love", "No Such Thing", "She Will Never Be Your Man", and -- very cool -- a darker, slower version of Jackson's "Billy Jean".
Le Showroom was totally packed, and there were signs at the door warning everyone that photos and moshing were not allowed. The guards at the front of the stage were like hawks, leaping in front of people trying to take pics with their cell phones (a few obviously got through, but it was kind of nice not having to peer over a sea of cameras to see the stage for once).
I took along my friend Petite Brigitte, a youngun' who only knew Chris from the Casino Royale song. We were originally standing by the bar, at the foot of the VIP section where Chris's family (including baby girl in huge ear muffs) were watching. Dad gave them a wave when he first got on stage...awwwwww. There were two guys from Brazil standing next to us, one singing the lyrics along with Chris so loudly that people in the crowd asked him to shut up. He then stuck his head in the VIP section and asked a guy (Chris' dad?) if they could play "Heaven". Maybe Chris planned on playing it anyway, but word got up to him and he announced that it would come before the end of the night. He wasn't speaking in French, but did say "It's good to be home, I get to sleep in my own bed." The French are obviously happy to have him here!
His band isn't bad. Very young, so tons of energy. For awhile they left the stage and Chris played alone with his guitar. I can't imagine this would be as wonderful in a big stadium, so if you get the chance to see Chris during this tour of smaller venues, I highly recommend it. He's looking (and sounding) good for his age! He'll be in the US until early August, then back in Europe touring.
After the show Petite Brigitte and I headed over to Chris' bar and restaurant, the BC (Black Calavados), where I finally got a chance to try the food. The band was at the next table, and told us that they were actually leaving that night for London. So they didn't join us down in the bar, which was packed to choking (not hard, since it only has room for a handful of people). Alas, this rock chick had work at 9am, so after a Perrier I had to call it a night, too. ;)
Read more about Chris and his restaurant in Heather's blog Secrets of Paris
by petitebrigitte
"With a voice that defies 42 years of hard living, Chris Cornell killed it on Tuesday night at Showcase. It was a solid performance! Playing to a sold-out crowd, the former lead singer of such bands as Soundgarden and Audioslave entertained the crowd with a culmination of songs spanning his colorful career.
Backed up by his new musicians (who look very young and thrilled to be working), Chris even revealed some new songs he’s been working on… one of which was downright mushy. Of course, his wife and two children looked on with adoration from their perch in the VIP.
Unfortunately, the band didn’t stick around for the after-party at Chris’ club, Black Calavados. They ate dinner in the upstairs restaurant, and then hit the bus for an overnight haul to London!
For those of you not familiar with Chris, get with it. He did the theme song to James Bond: Casino Royale. Plus, the guy is downright hot. With looks that could make him Brad Pitt’s brother, and one of the sexiest voices in the industry, it was all I could do not to toss my brassiere on stage. Take me! Take me now!"
Read more at Brigitte's blog la vie de petite brigitte
photo by Thomas Jaegle - used by permission
by yielded
"I just got back from Paris. Great city, hadn't been there in years! The venue ("Showcase") was really nice, it's an old boat hangar they remodeled into a nightclub/concert kind of thing. On to the actual show: No opener. Chris took the stage 20 minutes late, but I don't think anyone really cared after the first song, which was Spoonman... Chris also did a couple of acoustic breaks (just him and his acoustic: "Hey, I just got this new guitar, whaddaya think?" *crowd cheers* "It says Elvis Presley on it!" *points to headstock*) He played Call Me a Dog ("My wife really likes when I play this song to her"), Redemption Song, I Am The Highway, Can't Change Me (from Euphoria Morning). BUT! The highlight of the show was - Jesus Christ Pose! And I can tell you, Chris still has it! As you can tell, the show was totally awesome so if you can catch him on tour this year - GO! Best quote: "It's great to be back... AND I get to sleep in my own bed *yeah*!"
by syl20kid
"Fantastic, best concert I've ever seen. Loved the place where it was, under a famous Paris bridge (Alexandre III) except for all the security... I was in the front row and the security guard in the front kept standing on the railing each time he saw a cameras flash or a cell light. and indicated to someone in the crowd where it came from... I do hope some photos will come out. Otherwise. I wished that it could have gone and on...thanx a lot Chris. I'll be there when you come back, no doubt about it."
photo by Matthieu Marquenet
by juliendustbowl
"The show was great, the band is really good, they play almost 2 hours. The voice was perfect during all the show, the sound was very good...the scene was not too big, there was a great relationship between the band and the audience. Chris said they'll come back in Paris at the end of the tour. I'll be there !"
photo by Thomas Jaegle - used by permission
photo by Matthieu Marquenet
Concert privé de Chris Cornell au Showcase
Concert très privé au Showcase, pour une rencontre avec le talentueux Chris Cornell en tournée pour la sortie de son nouvel album "Carry on".
by Sandra C, Elleadore.com
Pour ceux ou celles qui ne le connaissent pas, Chris Cornell est l'incarnation du rock débridé. Sa voix haut perchée à la fois grunge et bluesy vaut qu'il interprète en 2006, la bande originale du film " James Bond : Casino Royale" avec le single "You know my name".
En fait, il est l'ancien chanteur du groupe Soundgarden dont le single "Black hole sun" (de l'album "Superunknown") fut une des meilleures ventes en 94.
Après un album solo, il crée sur les cendres encore chaudes du groupe "Rage Against the Machine", le groupe Audioslave dont le premier album sort en 2002.
Pour la sortie de son nouvel album solo "Carry on", Chris Cornell commence sa tournée en France dans la très tendance boîte du moment : le showcase.
La "setlist" s'annonce comme un best of de toute sa carrière. Côté ambiance, les incontournables fans sont présents et les critiques fusent : va-t-il être en phase avec la salle ou alors ?
Verdict : le concert commence donc sur le single bondissant "Spoonman" de 94 avant le surpuissant "Outshined" qui n'a pas été joué live depuis 10 ans. En 2 chansons, la salle est conquise et tout le concert sera à cette image.
Côté public : il cultive une relation quasi fusionnelle jusqu'à jouer une chanson réclamée par une seule personne dans la salle. Rien à dire !
Mes coups de coeur: La reprise de Mickael Jackson "Billie Jean" en ternaire façon Chris Cornell. La chanson dédiée à sa femme au deuxième rappel ; et oui les filles, en plus d'avoir une voie en or et une physique de rêve, il est marié et a une petite fille. Suivi de la reprise de Bob Marley "Redemption Song". Respect Man ! On retiendra également le morceau titanesque "Jesus Christ Pose", puis les incontournables "Black Hole Sun", "Rusty Cage", "Cochise" et le poignant "I Am The Highway".
by Sandra C. at ElleAdore.com
Billie Jean (video- thanks mistick78)
I Am the Highway (video - thanks ditusss)
See the Chris Cornell Concerts site for an audio recording of this show
Chris Cornell Fan Page © Clare O'Brien 2007
