Chris Cornell Live in Concert Review

Phoenix, AZ - With a career beginning in the 80's, spanning the 90's, and showing no signs of slowing down today; and spanning three bands not counting his solo work, Chris Cornell (42) has cultivated a talent like none other, and it's self-evident in his laid back, but energetic live performance.

"I'm having fun here," Cornell says in a voice inconspicuously like any other, that is until he unleashes it, and the average looking man gives birth to a dynamic monster of a voice that quickly becomes larger than the venue in its entirety.

It's obvious that he is having fun. "I haven't been able to play these songs in years," Cornell commented about his set list, which contains tracks such as "Seasons," "Hunger Strike," "Sunshower," "Mission," and a slew of Audioslave and Soundgarden hits, not to mention several tracks off his new album, Cary On, which hit stores and iTunes on June 5^th.

Fans were not left disappointed, even without the former members of Rage Against the Machine as his backup band. Guitarist Yogi Lonich (Wallflowers/Buckcherry) and Peter Thorn (Hole) more that filled the gap.

While their more traditional sounding playing styles at first don't seem to fit into many of the Audioslave songs that have been seeded with Tom Morello's unique electrical solos, it is not long before the realization sets in that Cornell's voice is better suited to a more organic form of rock. "Unlike my other two bands, these guys are real rock stars," Cornell warned the women in the audience.

After a mellow three song acoustic solo followed by enormous sounding songs like "Slaves and Bulldozers," it is clear that Cornell's voice is in its peak. His seamless transition from soft-and-melodic to fierce-and-powerful are authoritatively outlined in the new song, "No Such Thing," which is currently receiving nationwide airplay. Without a guitar in his hand for the majority of the show, Cornell did focus primarily on his vocal prowess.

After two big encores and two hours, Chris Cornell solo is an experience to be enjoyed by fans of Soundgarden, Temple of the Dog, Seattle grunge, Audioslave, and fans of amazingly beautiful, emotional, meaningful, and commanding music. Besides, let's face facts, Chris Cornell is Audioslave, Soundgarden and Temple of the Dog, and so much more... So really, what's not to like?