Chris Cornell Performs Stirring Versions of ‘The Promise,’ ‘Black Hole Sun’ + ‘Higher Truth’ on ‘CBS This Morning’
Chris Cornell has been making the promotional rounds of late to help support the new film The Promise. Cornell recorded the title cut for the film and his most recent promotional stop found him playing three songs for the viewing audience Saturday (April 22) on CBS This Morning.
Cornell's "Songbook" shows in recent years have shown how adept the vocalist is at playing stripped back versions of some of his more familiar solo and Soundgarden hits, and that served him well during the CBS This Morning appearance. Armed with only his acoustic guitar and the backing of a piano player, Cornell's rich voice echoes throughout the studio giving "The Promise" the emotional feel that the singer projects.
The film the song is attached to is centered on a love triangle that emerges against the backdrop of the Armenian genocide. “I’m not sure how conscious I was of it, but I’d been so moved by photographs being taken over things they needed to survive,” Cornell recently told Billboard of the song. “I’m always looking for the person that sings the song, and it’s never really me. Even if I’m writing a song that’s about me, it’s always someone else. I imagined this young man singing the song to a photo of his father or grandfather about the inspiration that he was and rededicating himself to persevering against whatever odds there might be. In the case of the genocide, it was horrendous.”
In addition to the performance of "The Promise," Cornell sat down for an interview with host Anthony Mason and performed more stripped back versions of the Soungarden classic "Black Hole Sun" and the title track from his Higher Truth solo album. Both performances can be seen below.
In the studio setting, "Black Hole Sun" puts more focus on Cornell's playing and it becomes a more intimate, haunting performance. Meanwhile, "Higher Truth" comes off more soulful with the piano serving as the main instrument during the performance.
Soundgarden have a spring tour that kicks off later this week and runs through most of May. Beyond that, the band has been focusing their energies on a new studio album.
Watch Chris Cornell Perform "Black Hole Sun" on CBS This Morning
Watch Chris Cornell Perform "Higher Truth" on CBS This Morning
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