Chris Cornell "SongBook"

For those diehard of Chris Cornell, they probably wanted to Scream after hearing his last sonic experiment. I, on the other hand, thought that overall it was a pretty strong and consistent record; not many bad songs. Cornell said himself this was some of the best stuff he had ever written, which probably freaked them out even more. Hoping that any of his Cornellians wouldn't commit Sweet Revenge (one of my absolute favs) he decided to make a complete 180, and to perform music without all the bells and whistles just bring his acoustic and sing his heart out. Which brings us to the topic of his Songbook, and "As Hope and Promise Fade" a very enthralling relationship slowly turns sour as the protagonist in the story slowly turns to self-destructive ways to cope, and this song was meant for an acoustic. There is nothing to prevent you from hearing the pain in the delivery and the sincerity he brings in a powerful first track. The "Scar on the Sky" was an acoustic version of the song from an album that urges us to Carry On. The song is not bad in either version, but it's not my favorite; I must be honest. You can "Call Me A Dog," but I'm only (sub)human, and this song is practically the same on the live and studio version with Temple of the Dog; which is as it should be, as the song is perfect the way it is. The next song made me curious how it would sound because it was part of that sonic experiment which lead to a "Ground Zero" of lost respect from some of his fans. I love the funkier and timbobeat percussion led version, but Cornell still manages to keep some of that funk swag in this acoustic arrangement (by strumming, no doubt). It's not the same, but is just as good, and even has him wailing towards the end. Most people want to change what they don't understand, and people fear the unknown. Because people fear things without closure they fill the hole with things that are often untrue which leads them to believe these lies, and want to change someone, but they really have nothing to fear because the stuff they're worrying about is all in the head. You don't know me, and "Can't Change Me," I deal with BS like this everyday! Now he tackles a song from the powerful debut of the super-group known as Audioslave, and not just any song, but one that proclaims "I Am The Highway" which stays fairly close to the original and works just as well in an acoustic setting because it was made for it. It is important to be grateful to your fans that keep you going mentally, spiritually, financially (allowing you to still do what you love), etc, as well as thanking family and friends, and for this song I thank Cornell and I "Thank You" for reading this. Funny how the next song is one about "Cleaning My Gun" which I don't have, and I guess there was no record which seemed right to house this track before this one. Audioslave's swan song, described by the band as Earth, Wind and Fire Meets Led Zep, was a great record to end their trilogy of great records and their career. It was definitely worth the listen, to me anyways, but I'm not sure if  many would say it was worthy of that comparison. This song had a funk-rock swag in the original with those beautiful melodies,and again it's not the same in translation, but is still strong on its own merits. I love the original version of this Soundgarden classic that was written when they "Fell On Black Days," and I have nothing much else to say but this version doesn't lose anything in it's acoustic form. It might have even gained something. Sometimes writing, and thinking of what to write can be an "All Night Thing," and maybe it does sound good acoustically, but the original version sounds slightly better. I cannot say that "It Doesn't Remind Me" of anything, because it brings back memories of when this record came out and learning this song; I love the acoustic version just as well as the original even if it doesn't have the great solo and is slightly off, but the energy is still there. From one Audioslave track to another I'll sit here "Like A Stone," and wait for you; if I have to because I love you. It loses some momentum in translation again, without the solo or the great beat, but I still love the acoustic version for what it is..perfect in its own way. A "Black Hole Sun" is near, and again seems perfect for acoustic. I can try to "Imagine" the courage it takes to cover a classic like this, and even more courage to change the lyrics *cough* Cee-Lo Green. Many would say that you cannot top the original, and I'm not saying it does, but it reaches for its purity and sincerity and is not too far off. The final track may not be a a keeper, but it's "The Keeper," and after subsequent listens does become easier to love. The best pages of this book are As Hope and Promise Fade, Call Me A Dog, Ground Zero, I Am The Highway, Wide Awake, Fell On Black Days, Doesn't Remind Me, Like A Stone, Imagine, and The Keeper.