Chris Cornell in an intimate setting was a rare treat. It fulfilled the 90s fantasy of my inner 14 year old by seeing one of my idols from youth play in a room the size of your local pub, the kind of rad thing that I imagined was going on but was to young to go to. Awesome. What's more it was offered free to the public. Those lucky enough to get in that is. Strictly first in best dressed. The doors opened at 8pm and there was a queue from 2pm, and while some had been waiting that long, I spoke to one gent who was lucky enough to get in after arriving at 7. In this case it might have been the bad weather that made this possible, but I highly recommend trying your luck next time, they have some great acts lined up.

I pictured myself getting ushered in like a highroller past the hordes of fans, cocktail in hand to a special seat... the reality was a bit more sedate, although there was that moment walking across the casino floor when I felt like Raul Duke in Cirus Circus. But that's a kind of fun. A guy called 'Not Chris Cornell' opened, I think he played some songs.

Then Chris came out. After the show a friend of mine who confessed she used to dream about his blue eyes and practice signing her last name as 'Cornell' asked if he'd gotten fat. No, far from it. He had a healthy glow and far from they broody black from the posters of yesteryear, he wore the clean Neil Youngish military rock drag that's popular in wealthy beach suburbs. I'd forgive him if not for the faux dog tags.. that's a bit far. But who cares, what a voice! I shouldn't give him a hard time because he doesn't look like he slept in the same black denim for weeks. If my friend saw him now she'd probably be getting his name tattooed on her boob.

My initial thought was that his voice has gotten better with age -the thing that always stood out for me in Soundgarden was the dark sound of the guitars, like Zeppelin via 80s metal- but I don't think it's true, just alone from the band I'm finally hearing how good his voice has always been. There's a gravel to his voice that was absent in Soundgarden, and he lets rip sustained tone that sends the crowd wild. I find myself preferring the more subdued moments. When he sings Soundgarden songs the gravel is gone and he has a much sweeter sound. Magic.

Apart from the Casino Royal Bond theme, and the odd bit of radio play I'm unfamiliar with his solo work. I've stayed clear of his work since that first Audioslave single. I'm sure it brought his music to a new audience, but it just seemed better to reach for a Soundgarden or Temple of the Dog Album. I know Alain Johannes worked on a bunch of the new stuff, and that dude has the touch, so I've got high expectations. I was not disappointed. I'll have to get ahold of his solo tracks.

Nothing else in the set could compare to hearing 'Fell on Black Days'. It translates so well to an acoustic treatment, and as he sings like he wrote it yesterday.'Black Hole Sun' wasn't far behind, but I find it difficult to listen to songs that I listened to too many times in my youth, and Black Hole Sun certainly qualifies. Such a great track. It hadn't worn out for anyone else though - a gentleman in front of me dropped to his knees and proposed to his girlfriend, she accepted. Meanwhile Cornell had activated a loop, so the music kept going and while I was congratulating the couple I failed to notice Cornell's speedy exit from stage. Chris, I was clapping on the inside, you were great! Bringing lovers together. So many good vibes in the room.

Some other favourites that members of the audience picked:'Call me a dog' a Temple of the Dog track, 'A Satisfied Mind' 50+ year old song that's become a standard most recently popularised by Jeff Buckley, and a truly bizarre cover of Billie Jean that I would have happily lived without ever hearing. But nice to see that he has a sense of humour.

A very dedicated dude spent ten minutes pulling down poster after gig. Takes balls at a casino. Must have dug the show. He had no problems. I must confess momentary trepidation at going to the casino, not my normal destination. But it passed quickly. I recalled a conversation where a friend in a band was debating if they should play the venue. It seemed ridiculous to me. Musicians should play to as many audiences as possible, music breaks down barriers. And taking a cheque to do your thing sure beats the call centre grind. Same goes for me watching a band there, if it's something I want to see, I should just go. When you're facing the stage it's a really nice modern small venue, the staff, and in the particular the security were tops. It makes all the difference, I refuse to go t places with poor service and aggressive security. They even let me go out and get a pizza from one of the Star's many outlets, so they get a Responsible Service of Alcohol tick also.

I like the idea of the music drifting over the floor and gamblers shifting fleeting glances over to the room. I do however wish it had oneway glass, it's great that the floor can look in, but it's seriously odd to be in what's a really good sounding well set out intimate venue, only to turn around to get a drink and be confronted by an entire casino. It by no means makes it a bad place, just a bit bloody weird at moments. The music that played after the gig was better than many places late at night, and I wish they had table service like theirs at my local. When I left at 1am, well after the gig was done, there were still a surprising number of gig goers.. as well as a hens night, and some teens from the west in their best suits.

I think I loitered so long because the 14 year old was still hoping for an encore.

---------------------

SETLIST:
Scar on the Sky
Wide Awake (Audioslave song)
Can't Change Me
Redemption Song (Bob Marley cover)
As Hope and Promise Fade
Fell on Black Days (Soundgarden song)
Like a Stone (Audioslave song)
A Satisfied Mind
Doesn't Remind Me (Audioslave song)
Billie Jean (Michael Jackson cover)
Call Me a Dog (Temple of the Dog song)
Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden song)
Instrumental Outro