This was my first time seeing Audioslave, so I was unsure of what to expect.Let me back up for a second. I wasn't expecting to see John Tesh. I'm not saying that John Tesh is bad. I'm sure possum's not bad. I just don't eat it. Nonetheless, my mind was open.
"Your Time Has Come" was the first song belted out by the band. It was solid. The crowd was impressed and animated. I know this because I was in the crowd. The show only got better. Audioslave played most of the hits from their first two records: "Be Yourself," "Doesn't Remind Me," and "Like a Stone" to name a few. They also played an entirely new track, which might now be my new favorite Audioslave song. I don't know what it was called, but I'd like to hear it again.
Intermixed in the set, were some jewels from Soundgarden, Rage Against the Machine, and Temple of the Dog. I was happy to hear "Spoonman" and the unmistakable instrumentation of "Bulls on Parade." I would have liked the band to do a more complete rendition of "Slaves and Bulldozers." John Tesh would have finished it.
The encore included acoustic versions of "Black Hole Sun" and Bob Marley's "Redemption Song," performed alone by Chris Cornell. Morello, Wilk, and Commerford returned for "I Am the Highway." They went out with style.
With a band of All Star musicians and a singer with a voice forceful enough to tear leprechauns from their gold, Audioslave is a band well worth the price of admission. I look forward to seeing them again. You [the reader] can look for me in the audience. I'll be wearing the leather Speedos and the dog collar, unless, of course; it's warm.
If you want to see photos: CLICK HERE