Review & Photos from the Chris Cornell Songbook Tour – for CVV Magazine
The sold out audience filling Farquhar auditorium was treated to a powerhouse performance Tuesday night. Chris Cornell brought the crowd on a journey through the depths of his music catalogue – a testament to over two decades of prolific songwriting.
Known for his penetrating and formidable vocal ability that has characterized the iconic sound of Audioslave and Soundgarden, Cornell belted out song after song with an intensity and sincerity that elicited multiple standing ovations from an overwhelmingly appreciative audience.
Riding out onto the stage on a custom bike made for him by local 11 year old Tony Harrington, the Victoria crowd knew they were in for a treat.
Moving from deep cuts stretching back to Temple of the Dog, through favourites and rarities from the Soundgarden and Audioslave days, to James Bond themes “You Know My Name” (Casino Royale), and movie soundtracks like “Sunshower” (Great Expectations), and “Seasons” (Singles/Man of Steel), the variety of music woven together was a treasure for any fan.
The stripped down solo acoustic show and candid storytelling afforded an endearing intimacy that was punctuated by an unrelenting and intensely raw acoustic rock performance. “Fell On Black Days” with its moody dynamics and trance like guitar voicings prompted one of several spontaneous standing ovations. The gut-wrenching backstory of “Wide Awake” – the seemingly willful abandonment of the poor and minorities hit by hurricane Katrina – was matched by a grippingly intense musical execution.
Of the few covers sprinkled throughout the evening, Cornell’s rendition of the Beatles “A Day in the Life” was haunting and other worldly. I was waiting for the speakers to explode as Cornell single handedly (with some help from his ninja on the soundboard riding the reverb, delay and chorus knobs) replicated the orchestral glissandos with frenzied strumming on a single acoustic guitar. The crowd erupted to their feet – I think we all thought that was it, but Mr. Cornell played on.
A very giving performer, Cornell poured himself into every song and played for some two and a half hours. On several occasions Cornell obliged the audience as they shouted out requests. Accompanied only by Jeff Buckley’s telephone, a couple instrumental tracks pressed to vinyl, and guest harmonies by Bhi Bhiman on two songs, Chris Cornell presented an effusion of talent befitting of the elite rock star status with which he has been adorned.
Bhi Bhiman’s opening set of hard hitting acoustic songs were heartfelt and noteworthy – a perfect attunement for the onslaught of acoustic greatness his performance was paving the way for.
The compilation of Chris Cornell’s acoustic recordings entitled “Songbook” can be found on iTunes and Cornell’s website: http://chriscornell.com/music/songbook/.
Check out Bhi Bhiman here: http://www.bhibhiman.com
