Rock News
REVIEW, PHOTOS: Chris Cornell Solo Live At The Palais Theatre In St Kilda, Melbourne, 19 October 2011. Post by: CK 20 October, 2011 - 8:18 AM
A wave to the crowd, a few handshakes for the front row, a funny story about the Palais Theatre in St Kilda, Melbourne being a court house where people were hanged and Chris Cornell got straight down to business.
Everyone was relaxed after a beautiful Melbourne day and it was like we were all invited back to Chris' lounge room for a few songs and a chat.
The Soundgarden legend ripped straight into "Peace, Love and Understanding" which he credited to hearing Nick Lowe sing.
The song was a gentle slap in the face that got your attention and let you know you were in for a special night.
Chris let the enthusiastic crowd know that Nick Lowe was coming to Melbourne next March, you can find the details here.
It was a stunning version but if you've ever seen the movie Lost In Translation, Bill Murray's karaoke version will have ruined it for you for all time, sorry Bill.
Chris had everyone transfixed until a bloke up the back yelled out, "play Seasons!"
"Yes sir," he said while switching guitars, "This is for the polite but vocal gentleman over there."
After he finished the song the same bloke yelled out, "Thank you Chris!"
It opened the floodgates a little for people wanting requests but I was thankful to one lady who asked what the red phone on a stool was all about.
He then went on to tell a story about how it belonged to Jeff Buckley and was given to him by Jeff's mother after his death.
He explained that he had one the same, but it was a rotary not a push button, and they would use them to call each other all the time.
With that he launched into a Jeff Buckley cover from the Sketches album, "Satisfied Mind."
That was the way the night flowed, chopping and changing depending on the crowd and Chris' whim.
At one stage he left the guitars in their stands, put an album on a record player (after explaining to the under thirties what it was) and sang to a piano track, "When I'm Down."
I've seen so many gigs, it's a great pleasure to hear a voice so amazing that it leaves you with goosebumps for most of the gig and wanting more after two and a half hours.
Last month, Chris Cornell chatted to Triple M's Lee Simon about the US and European legs of the tour and how they went:
SETLIST:
1. What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding?
2. Can't Change Me
3. As Hope And Promise
4. Ground Zero
5. Be Yourself
6. Wide Awake
7. Fell On Black Days
8. Outshined
9. Blow Up The Outside World
10. Call Me A Dog
11. Hunger Strike
12. Wooden Jesus
13. Seasons
14. Satisfied Mind
15. Thank You
16. When I'm Down
17. Mind Riot
18. Getaway Car
19. Sunshower
20. Like Suicide
21. Like A Stone
22. Doesn't Remind Me
Encore:
23. Billie Jean
24. Say Hello 2 Heaven
25. Black Hole Sun
26. Burden In My Hand
27. Long As I Can See The Light
If you were there please feel free to leave your comments below, we'd love to hear them!
