came across a promo CD for Chris Cornell's new solo album Carry On today... even though Audioslave disappointed, I'll still throw down on some Soundgarden and Cornell's voice will always be one of the all-time illest for me (check back for a post on this topic sometime soon - top 10 voices from rock to hip-hop or something equally Vh1-ish) so I gave a listen...after several tracks it's okay, not Badmotorfinger or Superunknown level but Cornell's voice is still on point and it's a good listen until about halfway through the album... more slow, plaintive guitars and Cornell whispering, almost to himself, sounding like a man all alone who just received the worst news he's ever heard and is down to his last cigarette and beer, with little hope of receiving any comfort from either...
"She was more like a beauty queen / from a movie scene / I said don't mind but what do you mean I am the one...?"
almost instinctively I found myself singing the familiar words along with him in this strange, mournful cadence
"Who will dance on the floor in the round / She says I am the one / Who will dance on the floor in the round/"
wait... wtf?! how do I even know a song from an advanced copy of a promotional CD I had no idea existed until earlier today? and then just a few more bars in...
"People always told me be careful what you do / Don't go around breaking young girls' hearts /"
wow?! BILLY !@#$%* JEAN! Chris Cornell, the greatest voice from the '90s alternative/grunge era, the sound that defined that decade covering the song/artist that (for me at least) defined the 1980's. Well, let me just finish by saying I thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Cornell's version of this timeless classic and feel duty and honor bound to share it with the world before it becomes lost forever.
So please, enjoy... Chris Cornell -- Billy Jean
