Today (December 11th), the Chris Cornell Estate has surprise-released No One Sings Like You Anymore — a new collection of 10 cover songs by late Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell.
Recorded by Cornell in 2016 — making it his last fully completed studio album before his death in May 2017 — the album showcases the singer paying tribute to a diverse collection of artists that inspired him.
No One Sings Like You Anymore (which takes its name from Cornell's "Black Hole Sun" lyrics) includes renditions of John Lennon's "Watching the Wheels," Ghostland Observatory's "Sad Sad City," Harry Nilsson's "Jump Into the Fire," Carl Hall's "You Don't Know Nothing About Love," Electric Light Orchestra's "Showdown," Terry Reid's "To Be Treated Rite," Lorraine Ellison's "Stay With Me Baby" (originally released for HBO's show Vinyl), Janis Joplin's "Get It While You Can," a new studio recording of Prince-penned Sinéad O'Connor hit "Nothing Compares 2 U," and Guns N' Roses "Patience" (which was first released earlier this year on his birthday, and earned him his first solo Billboard Number 1).
Chris Cornell teamed with producer/multi-instrumentalist Brendan O'Brien for No One Sings Like You Anymore (who also worked on the singer's 2015 solo album, Higher Truth), and both musicians handled all instruments during the recording. Cornell personally finalized the song choice and album sequencing.
"Chris chose most of the songs," said O'Brien in a statement. "And we went out to various friends, people in the business, people he respected, to see what they thought ... we compiled a bit of a list."
"Chris really got off on working in a fairly small circle," O'Brien continued of the recording, "the circle being just the two of us for the most part. Chris was a fantastic guitar player ... we really didn't need much outside help ... These were songs he'd have been able to go out and perform on his own ... it's not a band record."
"This album is so special because it is a complete work of art that Chris created from start to finish," said Cornell's wife Vicky in a statement on behalf of the Chris Cornell Estate. "His choice of covers provides a personal look into his favorite artists and the songs that touched him. He couldn't wait to release it. This moment is bittersweet because he should be here doing it himself, but it is with both heartache and joy that we share this special album. All of us could use his voice to help heal and lift us this year, especially during the holiday season. I am so proud of him and this stunning record, which to me illustrates why he will always be beloved, honored, and one the greatest voices of our time."
No One Sings Like You Anymore is available now on all streaming services. A vinyl version will be available on March 19th and can be pre-ordered here.
No One Sings Live You Anymore track list
1. Get It While You Can
2. Jump Into The Fire
3. Sad Sad City
4. Patience
5. Nothing Compares 2 U
6. Watching The Wheels
7. You Don't Know Nothing About Love
8. Showdown
9. To Be Treated Rite
10. Stay With Me Baby
