Chris Cornell for Casino Title Song?

emtiem

This has been posted on other forums:

Haven´t seen this posted anywhere else but there was an article today in finnish newspaper Ilta-Sanomat, that Chris Cornell will be the singer of the next Bond theme.

http://www.iltasanomat.fi/viihde/uutinen.asp?id=1206226

Audioslaven laulusolisti ja biisintekijä Chris Cornell on tehnyt tulevan James Bond -elokuvan Casino Royale - tunnuskappaleen.

- Olen kirjoittanut uuden Bond-elokuvan teemabiisin ja myös esitän sen, Cornell tunnusti IS:lle.

Elokuvayhtiö ei ole vielä julkistanut tunnusmusiikin tekijää, mutta Cornell paljasti asian ensimmäistä kertaa Ilta-Sanomien haastattelussa.

- En ole nähnyt uutta Bondia kokonaan, koska sitä leikataan vielä, mutta olen nähnyt siitä useita pätkiä. Aivan uskomattoman mieletön elokuva. Hyvin erilainen kuin aiemmat Bondit, Cornell intoili.

Chris Cornellin kirjoittamia kappaleita on kuultu vuosien varrella monissa menestyselokuvissa kuten Singles, Collateral Damage, Loistava tulevaisuus sekä True Romance.

Casino Royalen ensi-ilta on Yhdysvalloissa marraskuussa. Casino Royale on 21. Bond-elokuva, ja se esittelee uutena James Bondina brittinäyttelijä Daniel Craigin.

And the same poorly translated ->

Audioslave singer and songwriter Chris Cornell has made the theme song of the upcoming James Bond movie Casino Royale.

"I have written the new Bond theme song and I will perform it too", Cornell confessed to IS.

Production company hasn´t revealed yet the composer of the theme song, but Cornell revealed the thing for the first time while being interviewed by Ilta-Sanomat.

- I haven´t seen the new Bond fully, because it is still being edited, but I have seen several clips of it. Absolutely amazing movie. Very different than earlier Bonds, said Cornell enthusiastically [sic].

Songs written by Chris Cornell have been heard during the years in several blockbusters as in Singles, Collateral Damage, Great Expectations and True Romance.

Casino Royale premieres in the US in November. Casino Royale is the 21st Bond movie, and it presents as a new James Bond British actor Daniel Craig.

Can't say I know the guy although am vaguely familiar with a couple of his tracks. Nice singer but his style doesn't appeal too much for me, although I wouldn't be upset if he did get the gig. It would suit Arnold's track record of going for a voice over a style of sound or fame quotient.

Klaus Hergescheimer

Cornell was the lead singer of the popular Grunge group Soundgarden during the nineties. Their big hit was the song, "Black Hole Sun." He's very much an alternative rock/coffee house accoustic rock singer.

I'm kind of disappointed in this news, if true, as it really differs from what I invisioned for the Bond theme song. I invisioned a very dark song with fast-paced beat with a pounding bassline and a power-chord driven melody, titled "A Whisper of Love (A Whisper of Hate)", during the TS with Bond's dossier and the crime scene photos of the assassination flashing in the background. Someone like INXS would have really pulled this off well, and I think JD Fortune's voice would have worked quite well here.

emtiem

Yes, from what I know of his work he does seem rather tied to the grunge sound and that's about fifteen years out of date. Doesn't excite me in any way. He's not exactly on the pulse is he?
I doubt he'd bring the Madonna-factor of popularity either- is he popular in the US? He isn't here. It'd be a bold decision but feels out of place somewhat, if true.

Klaus Hergescheimer

emtiem wrote:

Yes, from what I know of his work he does seem rather tied to the grunge sound and that's about fifteen years out of date. Doesn't excite me in any way. He's not exactly on the pulse is he?
I doubt he'd bring the Madonna-factor of popularity either- is he popular in the US? He isn't here. It'd be a bold decision but feels out of place somewhat, if true.

His personal notariety and popularity doesn't extend beyond serious contemporary rock fans. Among them, he is well-known and often well-liked. Audioslave is a pretty popular band here, but he isn't really the root of that popularity.

emtiem

It doesn't seem to fit with the rest of the 'casting'- which, Dench aside, is all fresh talent getting it's first airing on the international stage- and Eon have spoken of this with pride. Getting some reasonably respected but long forgotten -if ever known in the first place- grunge rocker to do the song seems a little out of kilter with this.
I'm not buying this just yet. If you need grunge roots then you'd get the Foo Fighters in, wouldn't you (not that I'm saying that's a good thing!)?
Perhaps he saw what I did for Goldfrapp and wants a slice of the publicity pie!

Froo

Long forgotten?

Audioslave's album last year hit #1 in the US.

They're pretty popular, I'd say. Their songs get a ton of airplay, especially on rock-format stations.

Loeffelholz

If true, a very interesting choice. I wouldn't look for the song to sound too much like Soundgarden or Audioslave stylistically. He has a strong voice which---if properly applied to the Bond motif---could be very good, IMHO.

We're way overdue for a male vocalist.

Mr Martini

Loeffelholz wrote:

If true, a very interesting choice. I wouldn't look for the song to sound too much like Soundgarden or Audioslave stylistically. He has a strong voice which---if properly applied to the Bond motif---could be very good, IMHO.

We're way overdue for a male vocalist.

I agree.

I never was a big Soundgarden fan, I do enjoy the song Black Hole Sun though. Chris does have that certain tone in his voice in that song though. If he can get a little darker in his voice I think the song would be cool.

Slazenger7

Loeffelholz wrote:

If true, a very interesting choice. I wouldn't look for the song to sound too much like Soundgarden or Audioslave stylistically. He has a strong voice which---if properly applied to the Bond motif---could be very good, IMHO.

We're way overdue for a male vocalist.

I agree, very interesting choice. I've always liked Cornell's voice, and it is very strong as you pointed out. I think it could be very good as well if, like you said, it is "properly applied". I am just having a hard time imagining what kind of song it will be.

Froo

I asked David Arnold about this on his official site. He replied pretty quickly, surprisingly:

I will give the usual boring answer which is that Sony and Eon will make an announcement shortly.There are always rumours and as I have said before dont believe anything unless its an official press release.

blueman

Slazenger7 wrote:

Loeffelholz wrote:

If true, a very interesting choice. I wouldn't look for the song to sound too much like Soundgarden or Audioslave stylistically. He has a strong voice which---if properly applied to the Bond motif---could be very good, IMHO.

We're way overdue for a male vocalist.

I agree, very interesting choice. I've always liked Cornell's voice, and it is very strong as you pointed out. I think it could be very good as well if, like you said, it is "properly applied". I am just having a hard time imagining what kind of song it will be.

Agree with these comments. Seems in line with the whole "what are we going to get with CR?" zeitgeist going on. I like that it's an artist that's current, hip, trendy...like that, as opposed to Tina Turner or Sting. I really think the key demographic (past the obvious one ) EON is going for with CR is the great uncaring, apathetic 20-30 yr olds who don't vote, don't eat meat, etc., but who push the music industry, sellout certain films that for some reason appeal to them, but American Apparel T-shirts, hang out in coffee shops, etc, etc. It's a huge market that's notoriously very choosy (and that I've described very briefly, inadquately, poorly I'm sure), if they gauge it right and CR hits, the legs on it could be pretty awesome.

This just all seems more and more very planned out, agree or disagree with the plan but it seems to be there, and fleshing out more and more every day. A more mainstream, audience-friendly KILL BILL, that's what this is reminding me of.

Barry Nelson

Well I would hope it is planned out, I doubt they ever approach a movie without an overall battle plan for success. In this case I think their plan is off base, but I could be wrong.

blueman

On a side note, here's some alternate lyrics to "Black Hole Sun" I sometimes warble to amuse myself:

Soccer Mom, won't you come,
And drive me to the game.

Soccer Mom, won't you come, won't you come...

Alex

I caught a Soundgarden show in 1989, about a couple of years before they became involved in the later grunge movement headlined by Nirvanna and Pearl Jam. Their album at that time "Loud Love" was an acid laced early Pink Floyd sound. At that time the band was a pseudo punk and Cornell had very long hair.

Later on when they became more popular and started appearing on SNL with covers of Johnny Cash's "Rusty Cage" I lost interest. I much preferred the early underground group, "Black Hole Sun" was what I'd consider one of the last tracks.

If true, an odd choice for a Bond theme, but C. Cornell can sing.

emtiem

Froo wrote:

I asked David Arnold about this on his official site. He replied pretty quickly, surprisingly:

I will give the usual boring answer which is that Sony and Eon will make an announcement shortly.There are always rumours and as I have said before dont believe anything unless its an official press release.

Oh, nice work- thanks for asking. He's quite up on all the Bond fan net activity, isn't he?

emtiem

Alex wrote:

If true, an odd choice for a Bond theme, but C. Cornell can sing.

He has got a good voice, yes. And as Arnold tends to choose his artists purely on quality of voice it would seem to fit. But then if Cornell has written it, as he says...
I dunno. I'm not buying this one yet, but stranger things have happened.

Lazenby880

emtiem wrote:

And as Arnold tends to choose his artists purely on quality of voice it would seem to fit.

Hate to bring this up, but what was all that Madonna stuff about then?

jetsetwilly

Lazenby880 wrote:

Hate to bring this up, but what was all that Madonna stuff about then?

Saucer of milk for L880! I may as well say it before anyone else does; Davey boy didn't pick Madge, and wasn't at all keen on her song. But then again, he did pick Shirley Manson, so he's not that discerning...

emtiem

Shirley Mansun has got a powerful voice, though. And Garbage weren't exactly at their peak in '99, so I presume he picked them just because of her voice.

C_Walken

Chris Cornell has excellent vocal range - and a very powerful voice. I actually like this selection if it is true. Im just hoping we dont have any cheesy lyrics shoved in there

Alex

I wouldn't mind hearing a theme without vocals. An OHMSS style sweeping orchestra. But just as long as it's not some hip beat with "Royale" on intermittent sampling mix, I'll more then likely take to it.

00Cherub

I still personally would have preferred Goldfrapp to do it:'(

Moonraker 5

Never heard of the guy.

If true, the "I've written it and I'm going to perform it" jars with David Arnold's assertion earlier that he has been working with the artist for some time now. If it's going to be another "independent" theme, like GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies and Die Another Day, then Arnold wouldn't be working with him at all.

I'll take it with a pinch of salt for now.

Lazenby880

jetsetwilly wrote:

Saucer of milk for L880! I may as well say it before anyone else does; Davey boy didn't pick Madge, and wasn't at all keen on her song.

What can I say? I'm a bitch.

I did hear (or, more accurately, read) that the Davemeister did not especially enjoy Madonna's 'tune', something I can entirely sympathise with.

But then again, he did pick Shirley Manson, so he's not that discerning...

Jetset get those claws back in. Of course Garbage were a great band, and Miss Manson's velvety tones were perfect for a Bond theme. Moreso, at least, that Madonna's now robotic sound some curiously describe as a voice.

As for Mr Cornell I can honestly say that I have never heard of him or his music, so if this is true I have no opinion either way.

The Cat

Grab a bag of salt for this, guys. Not a pinch, a bag! But if it's true, David Arnold is in for a big surprise!

P.S. Anybody remember Tony Christie?

emtiem

The Cat wrote:

P.S. Anybody remember Tony Christie?

Yeah, but it was pretty clear that Christie was just talking about submitting a song to the producers; Cornell seems to be saying he's actually been selected.
I don't believe it either, though.

Alex

emtiem wrote:

The Cat wrote:

P.S. Anybody remember Tony Christie?

Yeah, but it was pretty clear that Christie was just talking about submitting a song to the producers; Cornell seems to be saying he's actually been selected.
I don't believe it either, though.

And Sybil Danning said she was Octopussy. Don't count your chickens

The Cat

I'm writing and performing the new James Bond theme song... and so does my wife!

Odd Jobbies

Wow.... the're certainly changing direction if this is true - really can't see cornell writing a ballad!

But it also pretty inspired. Soundgarden was a great band - Black Hole Sun was classic. And the Audioslave single was impressive, if retro sounding already. It will be an attention grabber.

jamesbondagent007

You can't see him doing a ballad?

Well, go here, listen to When I'm Down, and then see what you think...

Personally, I like this guy.

General_Ourumov

The report neither disappoints or excites me. I've never heard of him. It's good news, however, that a man will perform a Bond theme for once.