Chris Cornell • Ave Maria

When I was thinking about having a post for Sunday morning, just three days before Christmas, I wanted to have an interesting interpretation of "Ave Maria", so I checked to see who I had in my iTunes that might work. Well, once I saw I had a version by Chris Cornell, I knew the search was over. In 1997, Chris recorded the Franz Schubert, written in 1825 inspired by Walter Scott's poem, "The Lady of the Lake". Well, a German translation of the poem, at least. I am sure Schubert had no idea that 172 years later, the song would be interpreted by a Rock Star, with a voice like Chris Cornell. I am a huge fan of Cornell, so when I read about his recording of the song, I had to make it a part of my collection. It appeared on the 1997 album 'A Very Special Christmas 3', where Cornell sung with the band Eleven playing on the song.

There is a certain majesty to his voice, a depth to his vocal that few can match. And it never hurts to know he is so nice to look at. You can find 'A Very Special Christmas 3' on iTunes and Amazon. To learn more about Chris Cornell, visit his official website. You can also 'follow' him on Twitter, and 'like' him on Facebook.

Tributes • Chris • Sacha • Anthony • B.Slade™

Left to right: B.Slade™, Sacha Sacket, Anthony Callea, and Chris Cornell.

As the week progressed, we began to see a few tributes to the music of Whitney Houston. Now, since it has been long enough to take a look at a few brave souls who have not only decided to lift their voices to honor Whitney Houston, but they have managed to do it exceedingly well. Now, my criteria for this was for it to be an artist I have covered on the blog before, and doing the song justice. I would say that the four that are below not only do the song justice, they are doing it right. I will start with an artist I have started to really just love. I first learned about B.Slade™ from dear Wonder Man, and when I looked up his music, I was over the moon. So when I saw and heard his cover of The Greatest Love Of All, I was just moved. This cover was recorded a year ago, but reposted to honor the passing of singing great Houston.



You can also learn more about B.Slade at his official website here.

When I found this cover by Sacha Sacket, I was doubly excited. Not only was it a wonderful artist covering good music, he he also mentioned he was back in the studio, meaning a new album would be coming soon. I love Sacha Sacket, and not just because he is so damned hot. When I am listening to his musicthat is all I hear, and all I want to hear. What as he sings How Will I Know live.



You can check Sacha out at his official website here.

I am not sure what I can say about Chris Cornell that won't get me arrested. The man is outrageously talented, and droolingly sexy. The music, whether it be his stuff with Soundgarden, Audiosalve, or his solo stuff is all magnificent and memorable. His voice has so much grit, it adds a bit of extra weight to each song. And when it comes time to show the range, there is always that fear it won't be there. Yet it is, beautifully. Listen as he gives a bravura performance of I Will Always Love You, the Dolly Parton song brought to iconic levels by Whitney.



You can find out more about Cornell at his website.

Well, like the first clip, Anthony Callea's song wasn't recorded this week, but instead was sung a couple of years ago, but can be given a new look now that Houston has passed on. Callea sings When You Believe, the song by Stephen Schwartz from the animated film Prince of Egypt. The song was originally sung by Houston and Mariah Carey. As he always does, Anthony delivers a spectacular performance, well worth hearing. This was recorded even before he opened for Houston on the Australian leg of her 2010 World Tour.



For more about Anthony, you can check out his official website here.

So those are the tributes I thought you might enjoy hearing. I truly hope you did! I know I enjoyed them, and thought they would be a great way to celebrate he lady and her music. You can also find a tribute by the wonderful Matt Alber I posted earlier in the week here.

REPOST: A King Remembered - Michael Jackson (1958-2009)

As part of a year-end review, I will be putting up an occasional repost of the first 6 months of Soundtrack to my Day this week.

Michael Jackson was an incredible talent, and his talent as a singer, dancer and writer will live on for generations. While he is the antithesis of what I am covering here, the King of Pop versus the indie folk/pop/rock singers. But I have heard many of them covering his music live, and can hear their respect for his gift.

One of my favorite covers has been Chris Cornell's version of Billie Jean. It is the performances of Jackson's music by others that will prove to be his true legacy, the celebration of his talent by others.



Casey Stratton put out a tribute via his podcasts. It is wonderful.



Christopher Dallman very quickly set up a camera and did a very simple and beautiful cover of Human Nature on YouTube.

STR8 Boys Need Love Too - Chris Cornell

I have already mentioned my love of Chris Cornell - the voice that makes me listen with amazement. He sings with passion, such depth, such raw grit. Starting with his work with Soundgarden, then to Audioslave, and then solo work, I have listened with deep appreciation and respect. And he is really hot! His wife, also a stunningly beautiful woman, is damn lucky, and he makes being a daddy really sexy.



Cornell recently released Scream, a new CD I really enjoy. It has a more pop, accessible feel to it, but he still rocks on it. This week Cornell released a new video, for the song Long Gone.



Previously, he released Scream, the lead song on the CD. I think Long Gone is a much better song. Earlier, he release You Know My Name from Carry On. This is a video of the song performed live on MSNBC. Good Lord, how sexy. I mean, talk about a growl.



You can find out more about Cornell at his website.

A King Remembered - Michael Jackson (1958-2009)

Michael Jackson was an incredible talent, and his talent as a singer, dancer and writer will live on for generations. While he is the antithesis of what I am covering here, the King of Pop versus the indie folk/pop/rock singers. But I have heard many of them covering his music live, and can hear their respect for his gift.

One of my favorite covers has been Chris Cornell's version of Billie Jean. It is the performances of Jackson's music by others that will prove to be his true legacy, the celebration of his talent by others.



Updated:
Jay Brannan put out a tribute via his YouTube channel just now. It is wonderful.

Man In The Mirror



Christopher Dallman - Human Nature