Concert Reviews pg. 2

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02-18-00         Jen Grover                    Newport Music Hall in Columbus, OH

                      The Columbus show was great.  It was fun hooking up with Joe.  I guess any other Sommsters in attendance must have been avoiding us.  I was supposed to be on the list, but due to a screw-up I was not, so I didn't get to stay for the after-show party and meet the band, and it's a damn good thing we had bought tickets "just in case."  (A word to the wise- always do this.)  I was not happy about that.  Nor was I happy about the stupid obnoxious crowd surfing fuckers who made me miss a lot of things because I had to watch my back for the last half of the show.  I almost got my arm taken off by one coming from behind me and I'm still in pain.  It was cool that Chris stage dived at the end of the show and surfed around a while, though.  That was a magical moment.  I couldn't get close enough to touch him, but his shirt nearly got torn off.  The crowd was boisterous, made as much noise as the band, and there were a lot of people really into the music who knew the songs.  People really went wild for the SG numbers.  Chris was digging the audience and kept turning the mike towards us and encouraging us to make more noise.  During the opening number (Sunshower), toward the end, Chris was rubbing his breast while he sang.  At the end of the song eh said, "You caught me in a breast rub.  I can't help it.  I hear all that loud noise and it makes me want to rub my breast."  So he turned themike towards us and as the crowd roared he stood there grinning and rubbing his breast vigorously (through his shirt).  During Moonchild a bunch of people in the middle cracked out blue lightsticks.  They gave Chris one and he held it with  his mike while he sang, then tossed it back and made jokes about them being the "nuclear accident people" and that their hands glowed blue, but they wree nice enough to share it with us all.  People kept giving him cigarettes, which he was happy to take.  After one song he looked at the cig he had taken and lit up during the song and said, "This is a Newport Light.  It's a menthol, and it's light.  What kind of a f*cking pussy-- what kind of a man gives another man a Newport Light?"  Someone in the middle had a big drawing of Chris, wrapped in plastic to protect it, and they held it up to show him.  Finally he took it and signed it and handed it back.  He was very chatty and active.  His voice was strong and dead on all night, and the band kicked ass.  When he introduced Greg he went back and had him stand up and said, "Greg and I have a history of intiimacy," and raised his eyebrows up and down.  "It's recent, but it's a history."  I'll give some proper reviews leater when I'm not so tired and have time to sort through my journal.  I did sneak in a disposable camera.  I've never played with one of those, so I don't know if I got anything or not.

02-15-00        Kirt Teschner           American Theatre in St. Louis, MO 

                    OK, the St. Louis show was absolutely amazing!  Better than the Chicago show in my opinion.  The aftershow was cancelled, but I got to go backstage anyway...  I actually got to sit and have a one-on-one conversation with Chris(Cornell) for about a half hour!  Although this time I did not get any pictures because we forgot we had the camera on us until we were in the car.  Anayway, I told Chris that I was very happy for him and Susan about the baby and asked him if he knew the sex yet...  his reply was "Yes, but I'm not telling..."  and I said "well what about a name?"  and he said "I don't know... hey Greg, what do you call an alligator?"  and Greg said "Ali?"
                   It was a very interesting conversation the whole time (at least to me) but the highlight was the live show... he did not hit any sour notes at all except during Disappearing One, and I think that is because they have played that the least... Alain said that it was only the 9th time they played it out of all the shows on the total tour.
                  Another thing I should mention that I have not heard anybody on this mailing list say is that he has the Down on the Upside ear 'spike' back now... yes, he cut his length off and has went back to the old-school 'hair-do'... I have been trying to grow mine out to the upside-spike for a while, but when I saw that he went back to it he said "So what are you going to do now?"  and we had a good laugh over some drinks on that.  I guess I must change mine now so I'm not a copycat. 

02-11-00         Rob            Kingsbury Theatre in Salt Lake City, UT

                I thought this was an awesome show.  The venue was Kingsbury Theatre which is mostly seated and I ended up sitting next to two zonked out journalists from the local newspapers before the show started so I had some pre show entertainment.  They kept passing the flask.
                 Chris was cool and invited the crowd forward.  We ended standing over the orchestra pit which was pretty interesting.  You could feel the flooring creaking underneath you.
                  The show was really great and Chris Cornell's voice is really breathtaking to listen to.  After the show I got to talk to Alain about guitar effects and Natasha about her "cool rock keyboard moves" which she corrected me weren't practiced moves but her getting into the music naturally.  Rehearsed or not she has got some cool stage presence.  Anyhow, I am looking forward to Eleven's new album and am hoping that they will make it through Salt Lake on their way through. 
                

02-07-00      Sarah B.       Paramount Theatre in Seattle, WA

           Seattle rocked!!!  It was the best night of my life.  Not only did I meet Chris Cornell, but I met all of the members of Eleven.  They are all so awesome.  It was my first time meeting Natasha, Alain, and Chris, but it was my 6th time seeing Greg.  They are all such cool people.  Greg is the sweetest guy and a very talented drummer.  Greg got me backstage passes to the Chris Cornell show in Seattle.  First of all I flew up there from Los Angeles, CA with my friend Marc just to see them.  A bit crazy, I know , but hey, they rock!!!  It was way worth it.  The performance itself was amazing.  We held up a sign during the concert that read:  We flew up on Alaska from Southern California just to see you.
Chris Cornell saw it and gave us the thumbs up.  That made the concert even better.  On our way backstage we were walking behind Peter Cornell, Chris' brother who was in Inflatable Soule and Grace.  He seemed pretty cool.  They then took us upstairs in an elevator where there was free beer and other drinks.  natasha and Alain came u first.  They wre awesome.  Greg came up after them.  Security was trying to get Greg to leave, but he stayed and chatted with my friend and I.  Thanks Greg.  On the way down the security was tyring to tell me taht I got him fired because I kept him up there.  We met Chris Cornell outside.  He waited til everyone got something signed and pictures were taken.  Chris and Eleven rock!!!  I can't wait til Vegas. 

02-07-00       Jennaaaayee         Paramount Theatre in Seattle, WA    

                  Wow!!!  I went to see Chris Cornell, but got more that I had bargained for!  I had no idea how incredible Eleven ("And his band") were!  You guys (and girl) ROCKED!!!