CHRIS CORNELL: SO NEAR AND YET SO PAINFULLY FAR Notes from the Songbook Tour

It’s great when an act or artist you’ve loved decades ago performs on stage not as a nostalgia act but as someone who continues to be creative, prolific, productive, magnetic, exciting and inspiring.

I first heard the work of Chris Cornell close to 20 years ago when some guys decided to cover “Outshined,” at the original Club Dredd along Timog Avenue.  It turned out it was by a Seattle band called Soundgarden, off their album “Badmotorfinger.”

Soundgarden disbanded in 1997, Chris embarked on a solo career and produced the excellent “Euphoria Morning,” later on (2001) he joined former members of “Rage Against the Machine” to form Audioslave.  Audioslave disbands in 2007, he goes back to his solo career and in 2010, he reunites with Soundgarden. 

It is worth mentioning, Cornell also was a part of a project band calld Temple of the Dog with Soundgarden and Pearl Jam drummer Matt Cameron and Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready and Eddie Vedder.  They came out with the album Temple of the Dog in 1991, one of my favorite albums of all time.

I’ve loved his work as a musician, vocalist and most especially as a lyricist.  So, it comes as no surprise an out and out fan girl from Manila would be through the roof getting an opportunity to watch Mr. Cornell perform at one of the stops for his 2011 Songbook Tour.

The Songbook Tour is an acoustic set, which includes work across the board from his solo career, Temple of the Dog, Soundgarden and Audioslave.  He did, however, start and end his show with covers—Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song” and John Lennon’s “Imagine.”

He did a lot of my favorites—Audioslave’s “Be Yourself,” Temple of the Dog’s “All Night Thing” and “Sunshower” from the Great Expectations soundtrack and Led Zeppelin’s “Thank You.”  The crowd loved and sang along to “Black Hole Sun” (Soundgarden), “Hunger Strike” (Temple of the Dog), “Doesn’t Remind Me of Anything” (Audioslave) and “Better Man” (Pearl Jam cover).

Mr. Cornell’s acoustic shows play at venues with capacities hovering at 1,000 to 1,500.  This means he can get really intimate with the audience.  He responds to comments, shout outs and questions he can hear.  He also can tell stories tailor fit to the crowd, location and mood.

It also means a fan girl can come up close and feel like she’s watching one of her musician friends play in Manila.  Except that I don’t get to say “hi” and ask what’s happening after the show.  Pity

The show started on time and lasted for a solid two hours and 20 minutes. 

Mr. Cornell played the song “Say Hello To Heaven” which is farewell song of sorts for a friend who has shuffled off this mortal coil.  However, being right up front, as close as I could get made me feel like I had a taste of heaven too.

THE SET LIST:

1. Redemption Song (Bob Marley cover)
2. Be Yourself (Audioslave) - my favorite Audioslave song
3. Ground Zero
4. Can't Change Me (solo)5. As Hope and Promise Fades - first time I heard this one
6. Call Me A Dog (Temple of the Dog)
7. Fell on Black Days (Soundgarden)
8. Burden in My Hand (Soundgarden)
9. I am the Highway (Audioslave) - I love the lyrics "I am not your rolling wheels / I am a highway / I am not your carpet ride /
I am the sky
10. State Trooper - first time I heard that one, kind of bluesy
11. Thank You (Led Zeppelin)
12. When I'm Down - first time I heard that one too
13. Seasons - from the Singles soundtrack

14. Sunshower (solo from Great Expectations Soundtrack)
15.. All Night Thing (Temple of the Dog)
16. Man of Golden Words - first time I heard that one
17. Say Hello to Heaven (Temple of the Dog)
18. Billie Jean (MJ)
19. Preaching the End of the World (solo)
20. Like A Stone (Audioslave) "In your house I long to be
Room by room patiently / I'll wait for you there / like a stone"
21. Doesn't Remind Me (Audioslave)
22. Wide Awake
23. Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden)
24. Hunger Strike (Temple of the Dog)
25. Better Man (Pearl Jam)
26. Imagine (John Lennon)

Chris Cornell ended his Songbook tour last week tours with Soundgarden in July.

Tales Off the Grid Part 1: Life Outside Facebook

In my attempt to annihilate termites, clean out and reorganize my home (a project I suspect will go on until June), I have fallen off the grid.

I have enjoyed days and weeks without Facebook.  As a result:

1.  I was on time for all my meetings and on schedule for all my errands.

2.  I had more time to sleep.

3.  I was more productive.

4.  I watched Californication and Audioslave:  Live in Cuba.

5.  Didn't get stressed by all these events.  The most horrid of which is the "Who has viewed your profile" event.

I kind of like life outside Facebook.  There's a lot of Chris Cornell to be enjoyed.

GOING OFF THE GRID

"Going off the grid." In extreme terms, it means living independently of electricity and the consumption / burning of fossil fuels.  In easier terms, it means getting off the social network and ditching the mobile phone, even for a while.


It's ironic that I'm going on the grid to talk about going off the grid.


Lately, I've turned into a flake (which is not me), an impulsive decision maker and an overloaded washing machine.


Not long ago, I made a more conscious effort to actually FOCUS and really listen to people, including myself.  Then bit by bit--my idea of connection turned into saying yes to everything and throwing myself into a blender of moments.


Back in the day, people had to write notes and send them out to get everyone together for a social or business gathering.  Today, ten minutes on the grid gets me fully booked 'til "Pi" day 3/14/15.  


In so many ways I think my physical space is reflecting my mental space.  A lot of things need to get thrown out.  I need to be me again and not some sleepless bunny hopping  from one moment to the next.


After all, let us remember the first word in the Pixies' classic "Where is My Mind?" is the word STOP.


Where Is My Mind? (original and 2 cover versions)

LIGHTS, WATER, RAZORBACK

I really liked that prior two their two Sunday night sets at the Esplanade in Singapore, Razorback had a Q and A session for fans and Mosaic Festival attendees who were hearing the band's music for the first time.  This is a very satisfying thing for the inner geek.


Not to mention they had it at a place called The Library which houses archives of music and film.  Nothing like hearing them discuss the band's history, craft and future plans.

For instance, the inner geek was delighted to hear about the Razorback action figures and Razorback comic book again. 


Also, there was talk of possibly emerging out of an egg (ref: Spinal Tap, Lady Gaga) for an upcoming show.

The two sets were amazing.  The band and the audience was stoked, happy and connecting.  Full house, a lovely, breezy Sunday night, ice cream and noodles all within reach, and a night sky illuminated by modern architecture.  I was supposed to return to Manila today but was really happy to catch this, say hello to the boys and take my boy to his first Razorback show.  

I also picked a Pirates of the Caribbean and Rango fridge magnet from a movie memorabilia store nearby and ate about four servings of bananas dipped in chocolate and nuts.  


A most excellent Sunday night.  


NOODLES!


If you're an FB contact, the full album is here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=629021&id=590115360

SOCK REMOVAL BY SLASH

Big Night Out, Day 2:  March 12, Singapore Indoor Stadium


It was a joy to FINALLY watch Slash perform, who is on Time Magazine's 10 Best Electric Guitar Players of All Time and Gigwise's 50 Greatest Guitarists Ever.  It was pretty predictable he would knock my socks (with penguin designs) off.


But, Myles Kennedy, I've been hiding under a rock.  I did not really know him from a bar of soap named Adam (yes, shame on me) he was quite the performer--great voice, and great connection with the audience.  Same goes for rhythm guitarist Bobby Schneck (aka Garth from Wayne's World?), bassist Todd Kerns (he did a few songs and looked great with the black shirt, black pants and jet black long hair thing going) and drummer Brent Fitz.

The best thing about these guys, apart from the obvious talent, was they were all about the audience and making a connection with them.


Spank me now for just getting Slash's 2010 album featuring not just Myles Kennedy but Chris Cornell (insert a deeply heaved sigh here), Ian Astbury, Ozzy Osbourne, Fergie, Lemmy, Iggy Pop and Dave Grohl among others.


Going back to making a connection with the audience, their last song was "Paradise City" and Mr. Kennedy kept singing to me "Oh won't you please take me home."  Dude, I waited for you after the show so I could!  


Finally, this from Slash's Facebook post:  Killer show in Singapore. What an amazing mix of demographics. All different ages & ethnicities. They fn' rock here. Iii|; )'

Setlist:


1.  Ghost
2.  Mean Bone (Slash's Snakepit)
3.  Back From Cali
4.  Been There Lately (Slash's Snakepit)
5.  Nightrain (Guns and Roses)
6.  Rocket Queen (Guns and Roses)
7.  Civil War (Guns and Roses)
8.  Nothing to Say
9.  Starlight 
10.  Beautiful Dangerous
11.  Doctor Alibi
12.  Jizz Da Pit (Slash's Snakepit)
13.  Just Like Anything (Slash's Snakepit)
14.  My Michelle (Guns and Roses)
15.  Guitar Solo / Godfather Theme
16.  Sweet Child O' Mine (Guns and Roses)
17.  Rise Today (Alter Bridge)
18. Slither (Velvet Revolver)


19. By the Sword
20. Mr. Brownstone (Guns and Roses)
21. Paradise City (Guns and Roses)


Courtesy of www.setlist.fm