Chris and the band really set the place off tonight.

Arguably the hardest and filthnastiest gig I have seen Chris do since the 90’s. It was that damn good.

Because of the holiday weekend, the Pearl Theater was only about half full … if that, and this was Cornell’s last stop on the North American Tour (before heading to South America). Despite the lower-than-usual turnout, and probable burnout from 6 straight months of touring, Cornell and the band did a 2 1/2 hour set, and totally massacred the place.

I actually thought this show was much better than the show he did at The HOB last May, and that show was incredible. This time there was much more crowd interaction, more enthusiasm, more jam sessions, just more of everything. He was a little more tentative with the crowd at the May show, but this time he showed appreciation throughout.

At one point a crowd member passed Chris a sheet of paper with the name of a song written on it, and the band took a couple of minutes to switch out gear and play it (the song was “Loud Love”). There was significantly more interaction with the crowd, and instead of running off stage like he did after the HOB show, toward the end of this gig, Cornell hung around the stage for some hand slaps at the rail, lots of “thank you’s”, and just some good vibe-ing with the crowd. Chris actually seemed to be having a lot more fun himself during this show than at the May gig. Much more loose, relaxed, and just in a better mood in general.

The overall “feel” of this show was just much better, as there was a real connection going on between the music and everyone in the theater.

Also, instead of sitting in the back and providing the soundtrack for Chris, the band was a larger part of the show and they really pushed the limits … jumping around, tearing strings off of guitars, breaking microphone stands … this was as close as I have ever gotten to 1994 since the turn of the century, and probably is as close as I will ever get again.

While the lead singer was the name on the ticket, this was a real band going off on stage.

For one night “Grunge” (if that is what the media insists on calling it) was awakened like a rabid elephant from a deep sleep, and tore up everything in sight.

Chris also went deep on his new material (the solo album has some great songs), and while those tunes were typically more “mellow” than the 90’s stuff, they complimented the “heavier” stuff, and the mix of old and new was almost perfect.

The crowd was great. It was small, but everyone there was rabid. Almost like a club gig 15 years ago. Everyone knew every song, and was jumping around and shouting as loud as they could. Thankfully, the crowd was extremely hardcore.

I think I am still hoarse from shouting the opening chorus to “Hungerstrike” at the top of my lungs as Chris panned the mic out into the audience.

My calves are starting to feel the burn from leaping into the air during the transitions on “Doesn’t Remind Me”. My arms are starting to feel the fatigue of 2+ hours of fist-pumping. I don’t want to even think of the damage that was done to my hearing.

There was no crowd surfing or stage diving like there was back in the day (I’m pretty sure we are all too old now), but the decibel level from the crowd was as loud as I have heard from a fully packed arena.

As soon as the encore ended, I got the set list from the bottom of Chris’ mic stand (picture above). Of course, I also got a pick.

They ended up playing past “Slaves” and did a 5 minute jam transition into a cover of Led Zeps “Whole Lotta Love” to end the show.

12 hours later, and I am currently completely deaf in my left ear, and my right ear is ringing.

I am awestruck at how they pulled this one off in 2007, but I seriously doubt they can do it again. No offense to the band whatsoever, but they left it all on the stage last night. Every last ounce. Chris looked like he was about to drop at the end. I simply cannot conceive of a scenario in which they could top this show. I know that everyone says this about “their” show, but sitting back and thinking about it objectively, I really mean it.

I have no idea how they could even come close to a gig like this again.

If you were in town, and missed this show … then all I can do is offer my condolences. I don’t think there is any chance that we are ever going to see one like this again in our lifetimes.