Duets between Jessie Buckley and Hozier and Johnny Depp and Imelda May will feature on a new tribute album to the late Pogues front man Shane MacGowan.
20th Century Paddy - The Songs of Shane MacGowan, which is released in November, will also include cover versions of MacGowan songs from Bruce Springsteen, Steve Earle, Kate Moss, and Tom Waits.
The first single from the album, Springsteen’s cover of A Rainy Night in Soho, was released at midnight and details of the full track-listing of artists and songs will follow.
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Spearheaded by MacGowan’s widow Victoria Mary Clarke and independent Irish record label Rubyworks, 20th Century Paddy - The Songs of Shane MacGowan also features covers from David Gray, Garron Noone, Primal Scream and Damien Dempsey.
Speaking about the new project, Ms Clarke said, "Shane’s spirit and songwriting are eternally exalted through this glorious collection.
"Each song is uniquely and graciously interpreted by these beyond beautiful artists and his family are humbled by and thankful to each and every one of the musicians involved, to the delightful team at Rubyworks, and to John Kennedy without whom this would not have happened."
50% of artist royalties from the album will be donated to Dublin Simon Community to provide housing and healthcare for those experiencing homelessness.
Born on Christmas Day 1957, Shane MacGowan was raised in London and Tipperary and was a founding member of The Pogues, who blended Irish roots music with punk rock across five albums and scored hits such as Fairytale of New York, A Rainy Night in Soho, and a Pair of Brown Eyes.
Following his departure from the band in 1991, he formed a new band called The Popes and later pursued solo projects including a book of his art and a series of collaborations with artists like Nick Cave and Johnny Depp, and Sinéad O’Connor.
More names are to be added to the project and the confirmed line-up so far for 20th Century Paddy - The Songs of Shane MacGowan is: Amble, Bruce Springsteen, Camille O’Sullivan, Cronin, Damien Dempsey, David Gray, Dropkick Murphys, Garron Noone, Glen Hansard, Hozier and Jessie Buckley, Johnny Depp and Imelda May, Johnny Mac and The Faithful, Kate Moss, Liam Ó Maonlaí, Lisa Moorish and Another Day, Lisa O'Neill, LYRA, Madra Salach, Moya Brennan, Mundy, Picture This, Pinch of Snuff, Primal Scream, Steve Earle, The High Kings, The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Libertines, The Murder Capital, The Pogues, Tom Waits.
In a lengthy statement written to mark the announcement of the new album, Bruce Springsteen said, "Every once in a while, every once in a great while, an artist comes along whose voice seems to speak to history itself. Woody Guthrie, Jimmy Rogers, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Miles Davis, Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, John Coltrane, Patti Smith, James Brown, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, John Lydon, Hank Williams, Sinatra.
"Geniuses all, they were both timeless and the embodiment of their moment in time. Many, unsurprisingly, led difficult lives not easily bound by the shackles of convention. They were natural rebels unable to stifle or heed the impulses that led them to their glory and personal hardships.
"Great art is by nature lawless. We do not get to choose our obsessions. We do not get to dictate our blessings or our transgressions. It’s a little joke the gods play on us.
"Shane’s voice was so deeply real, profane and honest, his writing so flashing, alive and historically rich its genesis appeared as a mystery to all including, I believe, its creator. The dangerous joy, the glee and courage, the humour in the face of fate, the wild ramble of a life driven towards the artistic heavens and the daily balm of self-obliteration.
"Shane was all naked, bottomless humanity. Threatening to force us to ask ourselves if we were living deeply, authentically. He was raw, hilarious, no apologies and profound.
"His soul was filled with the transgressive and ecstatic properties of the saints. I don’t know who’ll be listening to my music in 100 years but I know they’ll be listening to Shane’s.
"Though I did not know Shane very well, I spent a lovely afternoon in his presence shortly before he passed. He was not well but he and his wife Victoria 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."
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