No, Thank You Chris Cornell.

Chris Cornell (Soundgarden, Audioslave) returns to the Hudson Valley.

On Wednesday, Chris Cornell peformed to a near sold out crowd at Ulster Performing Arts Center in Kingston (UPAC).  Chris took the stage just after 9pm, riding out on a chopper-like bicycle which was custom made, and given to him by a fan. Having noticed Elvis Costello was performing the following night at UPAC, he opened with a cover of "What's So Funny About Peace Love and Understanding". This began a more than 2 hour set which took the audience on a journey through his work with Soungarden, Temple of the Dog, Audioslave, solo work and some fantasitic covers. What stood out was how many memorable songs Chris has written over the years. Highlights of the night included: "Black Hole Sun" (Soundgarden), "Can't Change Me" (solo) and "Thank You" (Led Zeppelin cover).

If you went to the show looking for distorted guitars, loud rock and roll and stage diving you may have left UPAC feeling a bit empty. But if you went to the show with the intention of watching one of the great song writers our generation break down his catalog in intimate acoustic fashion, (and appear to have fun doing it) then you may have also thought to yourself as I did leaving the show... No, thank you Mr. Cornell.

Much of the material played during the show can be heard on his 2011 acoustic release "Songbook". The album also featured a new song called "The Keeper" which was featured in the movie Machine Gun Preacher starring Gerard Butler.