According to major media reports, Bruce Springsteen has written an essay celebrating the songwriting of Shane MacGowan. An all-star covers album titled '20th Century Paddy: The Songs of Shane MacGowan' is announced, featuring Bruce Springsteen, Kate Moss, Johnny Depp, and others. Bruce Springsteen's cover of 'A Rainy Night in Soho' is out now as the first song from the album.
The album is set for release on November 13. In his essay, Bruce Springsteen places Shane MacGowan in a lineage of artists including Woody Guthrie, Little Richard, Miles Davis, Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, and John Lydon. Bruce Springsteen spent a lovely afternoon with Shane MacGowan shortly before his death.
He was not well but he and his wife, Victoria [Mary Clarke], proved warm and gracious hosts. As I left, I thanked him for his beautiful work, his music, his songs, his life. I stood in his warmth, kissed him and told him I loved him.
Springsteen said, "He was not well but he and his wife, Victoria [Mary Clarke], proved warm and gracious hosts. As I left, I thanked him for his beautiful work, his music, his songs, his life. " Other artists contributing to the album include Tom Waits, Steve Earle, the Libertines, Primal Scream, the Jesus and Mary Chain, Lisa O'Neill, Damien Dempsey, and the surviving Pogues.
There are starry duets on the album, including Hozier paired with Jessie Buckley, and Johnny Depp paired with Imelda May. The track listing for the album has not yet been announced. Details of Kate Moss's contribution to the album have not been given.
Kate Moss has a fitful musical career including duets with Primal Scream, Babyshambles, and the Lemonheads, plus tambourine contributions to Oasis songs. The Dublin Simon Community, a charity for the homeless in Dublin, will receive 50% of the artist royalties generated by the album.