4/5
The Great Pretenders
On the same New Music Friday that Haim give us a deluxe version of one of the best albums of the year ('I Quit') and The Last Dinner Party confirm themselves as the new women in music ('From The Pyre'), an absolute icon also takes to the stage. The great Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders is back for the first time since the groups 'Relentless' album of 2023. All for her first solo set since the 'Stockholm' singer was 'Standing In The Doorway' singing Bob Dylan in the times that were a-changin' in 2021. And this time, performing more classic covers for the great American songbook, and some other hymn sheets, she brings some 'Pals' along for the ride of 'Duets Special'. Just like when Ray Charles knew that 'Genius Loves Company', or Tony Bennett closed out his classic career with his own 'Duets' sets. Some of these faces in Hynde's corner may be familiar to you, too.
Playing pretend with the best in the biz, Chrissie opens up proceedings with a thing going on alongside the great K.D. Lang for the one and only 'Me & Mrs. Jones'. Only Chrissie and K.D. could make this Billy Paul classic so much more sultry, holding on to the "me-eee-eee-ee's". The Parlophone record serves this as a single, alongside the Rufus Wainwright assisted 'Always On My Mind'. Like Presley, on his. As a matter of fact, all these greatest hits could be a single on another great record from Hynde as she plays pretend. But rushing in, from 'Can't Help Falling In Love' with Mark Lanegan and Elvis, to the 'Love Letters' with Shirley Manson that will be left like anything but garbage, this is another classic to add to a definitive discography that is far from a pretender. Country, jazz, rock, pop. All avenues are traversed on this musical journey. Lucinda Williams 'Sway(s)', whilst Debbie Harry of Blondie joins the raven bombshell on 'Try To Sleep'. There's 'Dolphins' with Depeche Mode's Dave Gahan for 'Tron's' Ares, and more power from Cat Power on 'First Of The Gang To Die' for an artist that is getting finer than wine.
"Oh, come back to me/Darling, you'll see/I can give you all the/Things that you wanted before/If you will stay with me", yearns and burns on Brenda Holloway's soulful 'Every Little Bit Hurts' featuring Carleen Anderson. You can really feel it on this version, too. Highlights on this set include making a killing with Brandon Flowers on the 10CC 'I'm Not In Love' that is played as perfectly as Huey, back when he was with the Fun Lovin' Criminals. Although, no pretty picture could hide the nasty stain that the FLC apparently did to Morgan. 'It's Only Love', a Beatles son performing his pop's record, Julian Lennon, replies afterwards. Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys closes things up nicely with the devotion of '(You're My) Soul And Inspiration', after his own duet album ('No Rain, No Flowers') with Patrick Carney, this calendar. And Alan Sparhawk also gives us a fine 'Country Line' in honour of Mimi Parker in tribute. Chrissie Hynde has her own jukebox of hits to put more than a dime in, but these classic record spins remind us of the time Scarlett Johansson had 'Brass In Pocket' for some 'Lost In Translation' Tokyo karaoke with Bill Murray. This album is the gold that will make you, make you, make you notice. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Playlist Picks: 'Me & Mrs. Jones (Feat. K.D. Lang)', 'I'm Not In Love (Feat. Brandon Flowers)', '(You're My) Soul And Inspiration (Feat Dan Auerbach)'.
Spin This: Chrissie Hynde - 'Stockholm'
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