Songbook (Live)

Songbook (Live)

Much in the tradition of MTV Unplugged, Chris Cornell hit the road solo after his reunion with Soundgarden and performed songs from his whole career. He featured selections by Soundgarden and Audioslave, as well as solo efforts (including the experimental Scream release). Covers of Led Zeppelin’s “Thank You” and John Lennon’s “Imagine” fit perfectly with Cornell’s scope. As one of the ‘90s grunge scene’s most authoritative singers, if always more hard rock than punk, Cornell has the ability to evoke a multitude of emotions. “The Keeper” sounds optimistic and beautifully folk. “Fell on Black Days” has a grace and subtlety in this dialed-down setting. “Black Hole Sun” is presented twice, each with a gentility that points out the song’s ingenious melody. Audioslave’s “I Am the Highway” takes on a lonely effect. “Ground Zero” from Scream is essentially an electric rocker played on acoustic guitar. To hear Cornell so clearly, without stacks of amplifiers threatening to drown his vocals, is rewarding; it sounds like he’s enjoying himself immensely.

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