Marianne Faithfull

Easy Come Easy Go

Marianne Faithfull is largely remembered as Mick Jagger’s girlfriend, but this is her 22nd album.

She makes a virtue of her ravaged voice, which is now unrecognisable from the innocent schoolgirl who brought us As Tears Go By. Each of the 18 cover versions (some better known than others) has been carefully chosen to reflect on Marianne’s eventful life.

Dolly Parton’s Down From Dover talks of being used by a lover, while her reworking of Merle Haggard’s Sing Me Back Home pays tribute to Keith Richards, who guests on the track. There are also cameos from Jarvis Cocker, Nick Cave and Chan Marshall. Maybe it’s time we forgot about her infamous youth and celebrated her unique talent.

RATING: ****

Andy Welch