Chrissie Hynde & Pals: Duets Special Album Featuring k.d. lang and More
Chrissie Hynde has announced the upcoming release of a new covers collection titled Duets Special, set to be released on October 17. The album will feature collaborations with various guest singers, including a track with Canadian singer k.d. lang. The duo has released a new version of Billy Paul's 1972 hit "Me and Mrs. Jones," showcasing their unique vocal styles in a lounge-y, jazzy rendition. The song is the first track on the album, which is credited to Chrissie Hynde & Pals and is available for digital download and streaming. A visualizer video for the song is also available on Hynde's official YouTube channel.
Duets Special marks Hynde's fourth album released under her own name and includes collaborations with artists such as Debbie Harry, Dave Gahan, Lucinda Williams, Brandon Flowers, Shirley Manson, and more. The album features stripped-down arrangements and minimal instrumentation, highlighting the vocal performances of the artists. Pre-orders for Duets Special are now open, with the album available in CD, vinyl LP, and digital formats.
In addition to "Me and Mrs. Jones," the album includes covers of songs by The Rolling Stones, Morrissey, 10cc, The Beatles, and The Righteous Brothers. The track "Always on My Mind," a duet with Rufus Wainwright, was the first advance track released from the album. The song has been previously recorded by artists like Elvis Presley, Brenda Lee, Willie Nelson, and Pet Shop Boys. "Me and Mrs. Jones," co-written by Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, and Cary Gilbert, earned Billy Paul a Grammy in 1973 for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male. The song was later inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2018.
Fans can look forward to the release of Duets Special on October 17, showcasing Chrissie Hynde's collaborative efforts with a diverse range of talented artists in a collection of reimagined covers.