It happened twice for me over an October fortnight. First there was Chris Cornell. When I first saw Cornell fronting the seminal "grunge" band back in their '90s heyday, it was an appropriately percussive and sweaty event in New York City's brick Armory. At the State Theater, it was a much more intimate event, but Cornell's voice was no less than resonant -- even two decades on down the timeline.
He endeared himself to the audience by saying that he always enjoys performing in New Jersey -- the "no bullshit state," as he called it -- because the fans make him earn every bit of applause that he gets before them. On this particular night, it was all well earned, 28 songs (including one that definitely wasn't planned.)
Chris covered a wide array of his material spanning his own solo work (latest single "Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart" and love song to his wife "Josephine" were simply gorgeous), Soundgarden ("Fell on Black Days," "Black Hole Sun," "Rusty Cage"), his other band Audioslave ("Doesn't Remind Me," "Like a Stone"), nods to his Seattle supergroup Temple of the Dog ("All Night Long," "Hunger Strike," "Wooden Jesus") and those people he was inspired by (Led Zeppelin's "Thank You" and Bob Dylan).
For the latter, he worked what might be thought of as an untouchable classic into the heartfelt "The Times They Are A-Changin' Back." Later, he credited Neil Young coming up with the idea of a harmonica holder that can double as a microphone. "Being the first guy who steals an idea is almost as good as being the guy who invented it," he quipped. He also gave a special shoutout to Pearl Jam lead guitarist Mike McCready, further endearing himself to me, calling him one of the best human beings he's ever met in his life.
Those songs not just played by Chris on acoustic guitar featured Bryan Gibson, who was to up the sometimes daunting task of keeping pace on the cello (and for a bit on the mandolin).
I started wondering whether Chris might be some kind of alien being. I didn't see him sip anything during the two-plus hours. I get parched just listening to him reach the upper stratosphere with his notes.
Then again, he might just be a sponge. Because he can cover the likes of the Bee Gees' "To Love Somebody," Sinead O'Connor's Prince song "Nothing Compares 2 U," while finding a way to rework his own classics at well. Kind of gave me flashbacks to the era when I was also a sponge, musically speaking, and just open to every variable. On songs such as "Seasons," featured in buddy Cameron Crowe's film Singles, it really was a sensory experience, bringing me back to times and places I haven't thought about in at least a decade.
He told great stories too, like how happy he was to be included on the same list as Paul McCartney -- besides for bad '70s hair -- when he did the James Bond theme "You Know My Name" from Casino Royale. And lest the show seem too structured, he did listen to the audience on occasion. "We don't have a song called 'All Day Long,'" he chided. But then promptly improvised a serviceable ditty to an appreciative audience.
Then the second show was Ringo Starr and His All-Star Band. It's a great concept, and a fun one. Ringo basically brings a whole bunch of talented people out on the road with him. They take turns playing their biggest hits, and seem to enjoy playing on each others' as well. This particular incarnation featured Todd Rundgren (always a blast and eye-catching in some kind of wacky bodysuit thing), Steve Lukather (Toto), Richard Page (Mr. Mister) and Gregg Rolie (Santana).
It was like a super-cool jukebox cranking out great and catchy hits. With Rundgren, it was "Bang the Drum All Day," "I Saw the Light" and "Love Is the Answer," the latter of which Ringo called one of his favorite love songs. Lukather tried to stoke the audience with "Rosanna," "Africa" and "Hold the Line" -- it worked with the people in the orchestra, not so much for the balcony (save me, of course).
Page sounded every bit the vocalist he did three decades ago on classics "Broken Wings" and "Kyrie" as well as the newer tune "You Are Mine." And Rolie kept things grooving with "Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen" and "Oye Como Va."
When Ringo stepped off for "Black Magic Woman," the rest of the band got downright silly. They were roughhousing in pairs of two, still being masterful on their respective instruments, but just having a good ol' time with it all. I've seen some video of other shows on this tour, and unless the camera missed it, they seemed to be funning more than normal at our show.
In fact, they've been enjoying each others' company so much that they even wrote the song "Island in the Sun" while touring. According to Ringo, our show was the first time they played it publicly. "I'm gonna keep on searchin' for that island in the sun" say the lyrics. It might be on the nose, but they've apparently found just that in their All-Star Band.
Throughout the night, the rest of the band kept referring to Ringo as "The Boss," pretty funny considering a photo from backstage later emerged with the OTHER "Boss," Jersey's own Springsteen. Ringo was trademark Ringo -- complete with peace signs and self-effacing jokes throughout the night. The funniest one was about how the former Beatle couldn't reach the notes that Richard Page does in his songs without being kicked in the privates.
With all the high-powered talent in front of him, there was still someone stealing everyone's thunder in the back row. No, it wasn't Ringo. He was a gamer, but the show MVP had to be Mark Rivera, who deftly handled everyone's percussion, saxophone (on the likes of Ringo's "Photograph" and Steve's "Rosanna"), keyboard, backup guitar and backing vocal needs.
But when it comes right down to it, and the members of the band said this repeatedly during the show, seeing a Beatle on the stage makes all the difference. In addition to others, I've mentioned, we got to enjoy "Matchbox," "You're Sixteen," "Yellow Submarine" and the song John Lennon wrote for him, "I Am the Greatest." And of course, the song that encapsulates the night and performers with pinpoint accuracy -- "With A Little Help from My Friends/Give Peace a Chance."
In the end, what more can I say? The Brit invaded!
Note: Since video wasn't plentiful in remotely good quality from either show, I topped the reviews with the best available and then used other shows for songs I wanted to spotlight.
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