CHRIS CORNELL
"No One Sings Like You Anymore:
Volume One" (A&M;
2021)
Reviewed by Snidermann
When Chris Cornell passed away on May 18, 2017 we lost the voice of a generation. RIP, friend Chris.
Let us move forward. His latest release, "No One Sings Like You Anymore, Volume One," is a collection of songs originally performed by a wide variety of artists: Harry Nilsson, Prince, Guns N'Roses, John Lennon, Jeff Lynne and others. This is well put together collection and it is full of music that Chris chose to cover because these were musicians who inspired him.
Whatever this music was before, it will now and forever have the signature of Chris Cornell on it. He recorded these songs with love and respect.
I first witnessed Chris Cornell’s brilliant vocals on Soundgarden’s 1991 release "Badmotorfinger" and, of course, with 1994's "Superunknown." The cut from Badmotorfinger that got me was "Slaves & Bulldozers." Holy shit, that cut rocks hard!
Now, back to the current release: This shit is loud and intense. When you hear Chris singing Guns N'Roses classic tune, "Patience," it will make the hair on your arms stand up. The same goes for Prince's "Nothing Compares 2 U" and "Watching The Wheels" by John Lennon. When you hear those tracks, you know you are listening to greatness.
A lot of this music is not hard rock or heavy metal by far but you know that what you are listening to is simply incredible.
Chris Cornell appeared with Alice Cooper on his "Last Temptation of Alice Cooper" album and the song "Stolen Prayer."
Chris Cornell and his recording "No One Sings Like You Anymore, Volume 1" is a testament to just what Chris was about musically and it was nothing short of pure genius. They call this one, "Volume One" and, frankly, I can't wait until future volumes are released.
For more information, check out http://www.chriscornell.com.
"Carry
On" (Suretone/Interscope;
2007)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
The lead singer of such successful groups as Soundgarden, Audioslave and Temple of the Dog goes solo again. Chris Cornell fans will be thrilled. Fans of the bands he fronted ... well, maybe not so much.
On "Carry On," Chris Cornell leaves behind the grungy pioneering of Soundgarden, the alternative rumbling of Temple of the Dog and the slick modern rock of Audioslave and instead presents (you guessed it): the bluesier and more soulful sound of Chris Cornell.
The result is a mixed bag that runs from the hard rockers ("No Such Thing"), to the bizarre (but sometimes surprisingly effective, as on a cover of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean") and the slow and soulful (as on "Safe and Sound" and several others). It's an uneven mix that, when it works, it works well. As a whole, however, it's a difficult, sometimes confusing listen. The CD closes with "You Know My Name," the impressive theme from the James Bond film "Casino Royale." Even that seems out of place here, however; tossed in at the end just because it has never before been featured on a full-length CD.
Cornell's voice, as you may imagine, is close to perfect throughout and the production and musicianship are of the high quality expected of a rock star of Cornell's status. Still, "Carry On" is probably a CD for Cornell fans only and those fans will no doubt be pleased with the end result.
Performing on "Carry On" are Chris Cornell - vocals, guitar; Brian Ray - guitar; Miles Mosley - bass; Nir Z - drums.
For more information, check out http://www.chriscornell.com.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2021 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
