Album: Marianne Faithfull, Easy Come, Easy Go (Naive)

The grandé dame of postmodern torch songs is reunited here with US producer Hal Wilner and surrounded by choice players, from guitarists Marc Ribot and Barry Reynolds to Cat Power, Nick Cave and Keith Richards.

Much of it is marvellous, but it doesn't justify its two discs. Nevertheless, clunky versions of songs by Judee Sill and Bernstein/Sondheim don't undermine the loveliness elsewhere, most particularly a heartbreaking Merle Haggard song with the aforementioned Keith. Sighs all round.

Pick of the Album: Keef, Marianne, your lower lip trembling

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