NEW YORK — It’s inevitable that a new recording by Chris Cornell would take on an added poignancy following his suicide last year. Yet there’s an extra chill that comes in listening to his contribution to a recently released collection of Johnny Cash’s writings set to music.

Cornell took on a poem by Cash called, “You Never Knew My Mind.” At one point the former Soundgarden leader sings, “you did not see me well enough to recognize the signs.”

He was among several musicians invited by Cash’s son to make songs out of writings that the late country music star had left behind. Cash died in 2003. “Forever Words” features the likes of Kacey Musgraves, Alison Krauss, Elvis Costello and John Mellencamp.

Cash’s daughters Rosanne Cash and Carlene Carter make contributions, too.

The Associated Press

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