...carry on is the second solo album by Chris Cornell. Recording began at NRG Studios in California's San Fernando Valley towards the end of 2006, with legendary producer Steve Lillywhite at the helm, and finished in February 2007. Steve produced many landmark albums during the 80s, 90s and 00s, including work by U2, Peter Gabriel, Talking Heads, Morrissey, Siouxsie & the Banshees, XTC, and The Pogues.
Chris himself played rhythm and some lead guitar - plus a little keyboards - on carry on, but here's a brief look at the other musicians involved with the project. Read on to see what they've had to say about working with Chris, or read my interview with Steve Lillywhite for more insights into the making of the album.
Go here for details of Chris's touring band.
miles mosley...bass
Photo © Nina Woolf 2006
Miles Mosley is a 24-year old jazz bassist educated between music school in Los Angeles and summers in Pell City, Alabama.
He counts Ray Charles and Nat King Cole as influences, and his "Brothel Jazz" group has been taking the club scene by storm. He also works in the field of art therapy for young people at risk.
He played with Gnarls Barkley at the 2007 Grammys; he's performed with Joni Mitchell, Herbie Hancock and Kenny Burrell; he also played in LA's 90-piece orchestra the Novo Philharmonic.
He played mainly upright bass on carry on, including a 180-year old German instrument.
"Chris brought to the table a series of songs that are absolutely remarkable in my book, and have an energy and excitement that will equally compare to anything he's done before...Chris sings every take along with the band as we record live off the floor, and has the genetic predisposition to never tire as a vocalist. Every take had the same intensity which really fueled the band...the improvisational aspect of the record produces a sound I think listeners will recognize as a safe departure from Chris' other records.
I've been a Soundgarden, and Temple of the Dog fan since I was in Junior High, to now get the opportunity to contribute my sound to a Cornell record particularly one with Lillywhite manning the helm, is definitely a crowning achievement in my career. The cast of guys on this record is one of stellar musicians all with great personalities and charm both on and off their respective instruments."
- Miles Mosley, bass, March 2007
brian ray - guitar
Photo © Florenz Horstmann 2006
Californian guitarist, bassist and songwriter Brian Ray has worked with soul legend Etta James, Rita Coolidge and since 2002, as a member of Paul McCartney's band.
He co-wrote Smokey Robinson's 1987 mega-hit One Heartbeat and his own solo album Mondo Magneto attracted rave reviews in 2005. In his spare time, he plays Los Angeles clubs with his own band, Black Unicorn."I was called by Steve Lillywhite to come in for 2 new tracks for carry on.. Of course I was totally psyched.. Chris is one of those special artists blessed with imagination, melody and the ability to twist and turn arrangements so that we never know what's coming up, like a good flick or book does.
At the end of day 2, they asked me to stay on for more guitars on songs they had recorded previously.
Two days turned into four of the most fun I've had in the studio for years. The band was smart,cool and funny. Chris sang his lungs out on every single take, live. Man!... and Steve Lillywhite has a way of building and building a 'record' til it's Scorsese for the ears. I am happy to have been a part of it."
- Brian Ray, guitar, March 2007
gary lucas...guitar
Photo © Jason Candler 2006
Dubbed "the thinking man's guitar hero" by the New Yorker, veteran leftfield guitarist, composer and Grammy-nominated songwriter Gary Lucas worked with Captain Beefheart and later formed his own band Gods and Monsters, which briefly featured Chris's friend Jeff Buckley on vocals. Go here to read David Fricke's look back at the work they did together in the early 90s (Mojo, Nov 2002). He's also collaborated with John Cale, Lou Reed and Nick Cave, jazz greats Roswell Rudd and Steve Swallow and composer John Zorn.
"To hear Chris's beautiful, soulful songs again head-on in wide-screen and cinemascopic full effect courtesy of Steve's deft and sensitive production flourishes (quite psychedelic in places, which I adore) was a truly thrilling experience. Chris is a damn good writer, creating unique unformulaic songs since his Soundgarden days (I loved "Black Hole Sun" when it came out), well-crafted songs with unexpected key changes and meter shifts (which I'm also partial to, obviously), but songs from the gut that twist all over the map and take you to far distant places into exultant, ecstatic states of mind and being (no pabulum here, in other words).....he's such a great voice too, and overall guiding presence...anyway, 'tis one brilliant, rocking, outstanding album.....and I am extremely proud and honored to be a part of it".
Go here to see Clare O'Brien's later interview with Gary, which touches on his work with Chris as well as his own projects.
- Gary Lucas, guitar, December 2006
nirZ...drums
39-year old Nir Zidkyahu has been a pro drummer since the age of 16, playing a range of styles from rock to jazz, funk, and middle eastern.
Relocated to New York, the Israel-born drummer played the drums for eight songs on Genesis' 1997 album, Calling All Stations, and subsequently joined the band for their 1998 tour. He has also worked with John Mayer and the East Village Opera Company as well as many other Israeli artists.
dimitri coats...guitar
Photo © Anna Hrnjak 2006
Dimitri Coats is the singer and guitarist with Philadelphia rock band Burning Brides, who opened for Audioslave on their 2003 American tour. Dmitri played on four tracks on carry on, and along with Miles Mosley, NirZ and Ken Andrews of Failure, he appeared live with Chris on Jay Leno's The Tonight Show in November 2006, playing James Bond theme song You Know My Name.
"Chris rules. I'm a huge Soundgarden fan and it was one of the big thrills in my life to hang out and make music with one of the greatest rock singers of all time".
- Dimitri Coats, guitar, March 2007
Jamie Muhoberac...keyboards
Jamie Muhoberac is a session keyboard player and programmer of many years standing.
Jamie has worked with Eric Clapton, Tina Turner, The Rolling Stones, Joe Cocker, Iggy Pop, Trevor Horn, My Chemical Romance, John Mayer, Alanis Morissette, Seal and Tricky.
He also co-scored 2006 Chris Columbus movie Rent.
On carry on, Jamie played piano in the studio, and then took the tracks away to do some more keyboard work at home.
Read a recent interview with Jamie here.
cameron greider...guitar
Cameron Greider is a guitarist, producer and arranger based in New York.
He's worked with Rufus and Martha Wainwright, Sean Lennon, Natalie Merchant, P.M. Dawn, Freedy Johnston and Joan Baez amongst many others.
He also did string arrangements for various movie soundtracks, including the forthcoming romantic comedy The Pleasure Of Your Company and the soundtrack of the recent Maggie Gyllenhaal film, Sherrybaby.
L to R, Steve Lillywhite, Chris Cornell, NirZ, Cameron Greider, Miles Mosley
L to R, Steve Lillywhite, Gary Lucas, Chris Cornell - October 2006
© Clare O'Brien 2007
