We’ve been in awe of Chris Cornell’s voice and song-writing capabilities since mid-1991 when we first heard the now legendary Temple of the Dog album. Just take a spin through Times of Trouble on that record and you’ll know what we mean.

We were going to wait until November 21 to review the complete album, since Chris decided to release Songbook in three installments over the course of this month, but we simply couldn’t wait. (Songbook 1 was released on Nov. 1, Songbook 2 today, and Songbook 3 coming on Nov. 21).

Songbook is an acoustic live album from solo shows performed earlier this year, showcasing songs from throughout Cornell’s career. There are songs here from Temple of the Dog, Soundgarden, Audioslave and Cornell’s solo career (as well as a few covers). And, from what we’ve heard so far, it is brilliant.

The guy is essentially a one-man show. With acoustic guitar in-hand, Cornell wails each gem with such grand emotion and precision it’s impossible to disconnect yourself from what he’s singing and feeling. Each song is new and refreshing, despite the fact that you’ve likely heard it in some different form in the past.

If there were skeptics before, there can hardly be now. With Songbook, Chris Cornell has quite elegantly proven once again (as if it was necessary!) that he is a gifted musician, songwriter and singer… and quite frankly, one of the greatest of each in rock history.

Hey Chris, Stone, Jeff, Eddie, Mike and Matt – how about a second album from Temple of the Dog? We think the time is right.

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