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Chris Cornell
See all Rock
Watch the trailblazing Seattle singer/songwriter perform acoustic versions from his new live record.
You've arrived at Soundcheck...
Walmart’s original performance series where you get up close and personal with your favorite artists. Check out live performances and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from original in-studio sets – all filmed exclusively in HD. Soundcheck is broadcast in Walmart stores nationwide – or catch us online 24/7.
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We have a top-notch music label relations team that helps us book acts. They are constantly on the phone with music labels around the country trying to get the best bands on Soundcheck.
Soundcheck is an original performance series created by the Wal-Mart Music team, giving you the opportunity to go behind the scenes and get an in-studio look at some of your favorite artists. Soundcheck plays right here on Walmart.com, or, for the full high definition experience, visit any Walmart store and head to the Electronics department to watch it on the Walmart TV Network.
We'll be adding new performances on a regular basis throughout the year, so please check back regularly at Walmart.com/soundcheck for more information.
We'll have artists from all genres; some old, some new, some huge, some more emerging - but all will be presented in the same intimate studio environment. So be on the lookout!
Check in regularly at Walmart.com/soundcheck, or visit your local Walmart store and watch the Walmart TV Network.
No. Just visit Walmart.com/soundcheck and watch for free!
Once the performances launch, you can play it anytime you want, 24 hours a day. We'll keep all artists up on the site under "The Performances" tab.
We recommend broadband DSL or Cable to anyone who wants to truly enjoy video and audio on the Internet. However, we have made available a smaller dial-up version so you don't miss out.
If you are reading this page right now, you likely have everything you need. However, watching the Soundcheck performances requires at least the following in order to properly stream media content:
PC
• Windows 2000, XP Home or Professional, Vista or Windows 7 in 32bit and 64bit
• Intel Pentium 4 2.33GHz, AMD Athlon™ 64 2800+ processor (or equivalent)
• At least 256 MB RAM
• 64MB of VRAM (video card memory)
• Internet Explorer 6.0 to 8.0 (IE 8.0 recommended)
• Mozilla Firefox 2.0 to 3.5
• Flash Version 9.0.115 and up.
MAC
• Mac OS X v10.4 or later
• PowerPC G5 1.8GHz, Intel Core Duo 1.33GHz or faster processor
• At least 256 MB RAM
• 64MB of VRAM (video card memory)
• Mozilla Firefox 2.0 to 3.5
• Safari 3.0
If you have the minimum system requirements, reinstall your Flash Player by clicking here
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Performance Photos
About The Artist
The Set List
I’d never done it. I’ve always been in a really loud, aggressive rock band, which is the opposite.
That’s Chris Cornell on the acoustic revisit of some of his career's greatest songs. The Soundgarden singer/songwriter recently sat down with us to discuss his first live solo album, an effort that features stripped-down versions of tunes recorded from this year’s ‘Songbook Tour.’ And, he’s bringing those songs to the Walmart Soundcheck stage. Check out our set with Chris - and go pick up a copy of ‘Songbook’ online and in Walmart stores nationwide.
-The Crew at Walmart Soundcheck
On Going Acoustic:
“Ever since 1990, when I did the song ‘Seasons’ for Cameron Crowe’s movie, ‘Singles,’ I had fans assuming at some point that I’d do an all-acoustic record or something that was as essentially as stripped down as that. It was an idea that had kind of been in play for a long time.”
On His All-Acoustic Tour:
“I [had done] a couple of shows acoustically but they were spread out over the course of a year or two. It wasn’t the same as just going out and doing an entire tour, and really actually figuring out what that is and what that means. I’d never done it. I’ve always been in a really loud, aggressive rock band, which is the opposite.”
On The Long-Awaited New Soundgarden:
“We’re in the final stages. We’re just finishing up a couple of songs and narrowing down what we want to release. It’s been great. It just feels like we had a long break.”
On Words To Live By:
“If you’re doing something that inspires you greatly -- and you’re continuing to do that and feed into that personal inspiration -- at some point you’re going to find people who are also inspired by you.”
On Inspiration:
“It’s not about figuring out what people like; it’s about figuring out what’s possible in music. And then you’re just hoping that other people like it!”
• He’s a Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter. Chris is best known as the lead singer of Soundgarden, and the frontman to former bands Audioslave and Temple of the Dog.
• He was a pioneer in the Seattle grunge era. Alongside Nirvana, Alice In Chains, and Pearl Jam, Soundgarden led Seattle’s emerging grunge scene of the early 1990s.
• He’s even performed the theme song to a James Bond movie. In 2006, Chris performed the theme song to the 007 film, ‘Casino Royale.’
• He’s just released his first ever solo acoustic album. ‘Songbook’ features stripped-down tunes from the singer’s career, new songs, and a Led Zeppelin cover. The versions were recorded live during this year’s ‘Songbook Tour.’
• ‘Songbook’ is in stores now! Pick up a copy of the record online and in Walmart stores nationwide.
One of the most affecting highlights from ‘Songbook’ is a once-hidden tune that’s become a fan favorite: ‘As Hope And Promise Fade.’ Originally released under the name ‘Two Drink Minimum’ (and featured as a hidden track on his third solo album, ‘Scream’), the track’s lyrics somehow become more powerful in an acoustic setting. Sings Chris: “I’m never more than two drinks away from crying.”
Scar On The Sky
Unlike the mammoth stadium tours that Cornell took with Soundgarden and Audioslave, the ‘Songbook Tour’ promised a different experience; the set list varied from town to town, often based on the audience’s requests or the singer’s own spontaneous choices. Check out this stripped-down version of ‘Scar On The Sky,’ a track that first appeared on the singer’s 2007 album, ‘Carry On.’
Can’t Change Me
The first (and only) single from Chris Cornell’s debut solo disc sounds as fresh as it did during its 1999 release. Performed today with just a guitar and a vocal, ‘Can’t Change Me’ gets an invigorating makeover. (The tune was also nominated for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance at the 2000 Grammy Awards.)
Cleaning My Gun
The singer closes his Walmart Soundcheck set with an important new track: 'Cleaning My Gun.' After playing the song live on stage for years, Cornell had yet to commit it to a record. It makes its debut on ‘Songbook.’ Sings Chris: “Somewhere in the ashes of this burning lovers game / Somehow you decided you would find another flame.”
All Night Thing
Another surprise for fans who showed up to the ‘’Songbook Tour’ was the singer’s emotional cover of Temple of the Dog’s, ‘All Night Thing.’ Originally recorded as a tribute to late grunge “godfather" Andrew Wood, ‘All Night Thing’ showcases Cornell’s exquisite songwriting: “Falling like rain / Into her scheme / She won’t let on what that will be.”
