Former front man of Audioslave and Soundgarden Chris Cornell is on everyone's blogs recently thanks to a rousing rendition of Billie Jean by David Cook on American Idol. David Cook is one of the top ten contenders on Season 7 of American Idol thanks not only to his talent but his ability to choose great songs. Rather than sing a kereoke version of the original song, many times David Cook will choose to sing a cover that changes up the original arrangement, like Whitesnake's version of Daytripper or Doxologies version of Eleanor Rigby. Cook wowed the judges singing Chris Cornell's arrangement of the King of Pop Michael Jackson's Billie Jean. Although many thought Cook unfairly took credit for Chris Cornell's arrangement, Ryan Seacrest clearly announced that David Cook would sing the Chris Cornell version of Billie Jean. David Cook secured his place for another round in American Idol, but today let's look back at the musician who gave a completely updated grunge feel to Michael Jackson's pop disco hit Billie Jean.

It was just last year, 2007, that rocker Chris Cornell released his second solo album Carry On. Those familiar with Soundgarden or Audioslave already know that two time Grammy winner Chris Cornell is a skilled musician on guitar with gritty sounding vocals and heartfelt lyrics perfect for grunge rock.

The album contains 14 songs; No Such Thing, Poison Eye, Arms Around Your Love, Safe and Sound, She'll Never be Your Man, Ghosts, Killing Birds, Billie Jean, Scar on the Sky, Your Soul Today, Finally Forever, Silence the Voices, Disappearing Act and You Know My Name.

The album on the whole is a very listenable grunge garage style album with crunching guitars and Cornell's excellent voice. The album's first track No Such Thing sets the tone of the album with a crash of power chords played with just enough distortion to give it that gritty sound. Cornell's voice sounds almost clean and pure when he comes in, and the distorted electric guitars are replaced with acoustic strumming. saw a world that was beautiful but the rain got in and ruined it all. Cornell's voice goes up in volume for the chorus again with the crashing distorted guitar riffs cause there's no such thing as nothing, no there's no such thing as nothing. It is the perfect sort of song to crank up. Cornell plays guitar and does all the vocals accompanied by only Brian Ray on guitar, Miles Mosley on bass and Nir Z. on drums on this tune.

Poison Eye adds another guitar and keyboards into the mix, but still has that gritty feel to it. I like the lyrics to this one he sings about being able to "see" with his poison eye what his girlfriend is up to. I have the sight, that follows you morning and night I have the radar I can see so far with my poison eye.

I really like the way Chris Cornell makes a sound seem mellow and rocking at the same time. Even though many songs on this are sung like ballads, they all pack punch. He mixes it up from song to song too, adding different arrangements. For example on Safe and Sound a horn section is added, giving the song an almost big bluesy sound. The album is one that grows on you.

I still remember the first time one of my friends played me a Chris Cornell CD. He played the cover of Michael Jackson's Billie Jean. The song is played at a dirge like speed at the intro, and at first I did not even recognize that the song was Michael Jackson's pop masterpiece. Cornell rasps out she was more like a beauty queen from the movie screen and as he gets to the chorus, his voice just goes into a low scream she's just a girl who says that I am the one but the kid is not my son drawing out each word. It's a far cry from the pop dance hit that Michael Jackson had with it in the early 80's. It's also an excellent song. Just ask David Cook! Many people who had never heard Chris Cornell's amazing arrangement of this song loved it when they heard David Cook perform it on American Idol. If you loved Cook's version on AI, you should definitely go out and check out this album.

There is not a throw away song on the album, it is truly an old school rock fan's rock "album", not a collection of throw away hits to be downloaded on MP3s in compressed format. (Despite that, many of the songs could easily stand up as a "pop" hit.

If you never heard Soundgarden or Audioslave, do a quick search on Youtube for a Chris Cornell video or check out his Myspace page and play a clip and hear his voice for yourself.

Fans of James Bond may also recognize the last track You Know My Name. It was in fact the theme song for Casino Royale,Craig Daniel's debut as 007. if you take a life, do you know what you'll give? Odds are you won't like what it is. The song is worthy of being a Bond song. Your thoughts on Daniel Craig may vary.

Summary

Chris Cornell Carry On was a great second solo album and brings that 90's grunge sound to the 21st Century with style. Check it out! (and by the way, Cornell spoke with American Idol's Ryan Seacrest and said that he enjoyed Cook's rendition of his cover).

Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Driving