He’s in the category Best Original Song – Motion Picture for The Keeper. This was featured on the soundtrack for the film Machine Gun Preacher. He’s up against the likes of Elton John.

The awards happen on January 15.

Find out more at http://chriscornell.com

Words: Malcolm Dome

Kate Bush is a unique artist. You never quite know what to expect from her albums. New one 50 Words For Snow (Fish People/EMI) is once more a challenging mix of the ethereal, the spiritual and the downright strange. Some might regard it as rather self-indulgent. But that’s what la Bush has always been able to do, namely exactly what she wants, how she wants. And it’s a triumph.

Chris Cornell gets acoustic on us with Song Book (Universal). This is his first solo live album, and showcases both his stuff as well as Soundgarden material. Oh, and there are covers of Led Zeppelin’s Thank You, plus John Lennon’s Imagine. This is all done so well, and perfectly captures the man’s vocal charms and depth. If you’re a Cornell/Soundgarden fan, this is a must.

Savatage never really recovered from the death of guitarist Criss in 1993. So, Ghost In The Ruin – A Tribute To Criss Oliva (earMUSIC) should have been a chance to hear what he could do live. But drawn from several shows between 1987 and 1990, it is something of a hotch potch that doesn’t really do justice to the band or the guitarist, when both were in their pomp. There are some stunning moments, but not enough of them.

Magnum celebrate 10 years on the SPV label with something of a strange compilation. Evolution sees them remixing, and even partially re-recording, 10 tracks. Still, it is enjoyable stuff, even if the originals are mostly better. And there are two new songs, both of which are very strong in the Magnum style and offer real hope that the next album will be a cracker.

Superchief might be from Des Moines, but they’ve little in common with those famed DM metalheads Slipknot. As proven on the album Corporate Dynamite (Brolester) is a surging collaboration of The Allman Brothers, Clutch, Motorhead and Scissorfight. The band have convincing redneck groove, but combine this with a real edge. Startlingly surprising success.

The initial two Deep Purple line-ups are featured on BBC Sessions 1968-1970 (EMI). And it’s interesting to see how the band developed. The first CD showcases Mk 1, with their most distinct psychedelic approach, although as Ritchie Blackmore’s role becomes more pronounced as things develop. The second CD sees Mk 2 taking heavier direction – and we all know how important that would prove to be for rock music in general.

AFM Records celebrate their 15^th anniversary with a three CD compilation called 15 Years Metal Addiction, spanning those years. As you might expect, it’s a real lucky dip affair, both in terms of quality and style. But if you fancy the idea of roaming about from thrash to power metal, via gothic metal and alt. metal, then you might fancy a quick forage. Best here are U.D.O., Doro, Onslaught and Masterplan, but there are others who deserve to be heard.

Two interesting reissues from Robin Trower on the Repertoirte label, Both Another Days Blues (from 2005) and What Lies Beneath (2009) show the man’s deep love for great blues, as he delivers his trademark guitar licks. He’s imaginative and dynamic as ever, and remains a towering yet undervalued talent. Both of these are fine albums, if the Trower style is your bag.

Finally, Nickelback never cease to stir up negative feelings. Well, Here And Now (Roadrunner) won’t suddenly win over the sceptics. It’s more of the same pop-rock from the Canadians. If you approach this album with an open mind you will enjoy what they do, although it’s far from essential and really isn’t as good as their early releases.

So, if you fancy getting hold of one of these, all you have to do is enter our competition.

You can do that by clicking here.

This features the following track listing:

1. As Hope And Promise Fade
   2.  Scar On The Sky
   3.  Call Me A Dog
   4.  Ground Zero
   5.  Can’t Change Me
   6.  I Am The Highway
   7.  Thank You (Led Zeppelin cover)
   8.  Cleaning My Gun
   9.  Wide Awake
   10. Fell On Black Days
   11. All Night Thing
   12. Doesn’t Remind Me
   13. Like A Stone
   14. Black Hole Sun
   15. Imagine (John Lennon cover)
   16. The Keeper

Find out more at www.chriscornell.com

Chris Cornell joined Pearl Jam onstage to perform three Temple Of The Dog songs, plus Mother Love Bone’s Stardog Champion on Saturday, September 3. This was on the first of two days celebrating Pearl Jam’s 20^th anniversary. The Temple Of The Dog songs played were:

Hunger Strike

Say Hello 2 Heaven

Reach Down

Click on the song titles to see footage of the performances.

Called The Keeper, this is available to purchase now through iTunes. It’s part of the soundtrack for the film Machine Gun Preacher, which is released in late September.

You can listen to the song here.

It’s titled Guitar Heaven – Santana Performs The Greatest Guitar Classics Of All Time, and features an impressive array of guest singers. Here’s the track listing:

Whole Lotta Love – Led Zeppelin (with Chris Cornell on vocals)

Sunshine Of Your Love – Cream (Rod Thomas)

Can’t You Hear Me Knocking – Rolling Stones (Scott Weiland)

Dance The Night Away – Van Halen (Pat Monahan of Train)

While My Guitar Gently Weeps – Beatles (India.arie and Yo-Yo Ma)

Bang A Gong – T. Rex (Gavin Rossdale)

Smoke On The Water – Deep Purple (Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach)

Photograph – Def Leppard (Chris Daughtry of Daughtry)

Back In Black – AC/DC (Nas)

Little Wing – Jimi Hendrix (Joe Cocker)

Riders On The Storm – The Doors (Chester Bennington of Linkin Park and Ray Manzarek)

I Ain’t Superstitious – Howlin’ Wolf (Jonny Lang)

Fortunate Son – Creedence Clearwater Revival (Scott Stapp of Creed)

Find out more at www.santana.com

As yet the record doesn’t have a title but it is expected to include the following classics:

Back In Black (AC/DC) – with Nas

Whole Lotta Love (Led Zeppelin) – with Chris Cornell

Little Wing (Jimi Hendrix) – with Joe Cocker

Find out more at www.santana.com

In addition to working with the Soundgarden man, Sutter has also played with American Hi Fi and Smashmouth. He’ll be behind the kit when Foreigner play the main stage at the High Voltage Festival on Saturday, July 24.

Find out more at www.foreigneronline.com and www.highvoltagefestival.com

The band – Chris Cornell, Kim Thayil, Matt Cameron and Ben Shepherd – will headline Lollapalooza on August 8. This is at Grant Park in Chicago.

Expect plenty more dates to follow, including at least one in the UK.

Find out more at www.soundgardenworld.com