Johnny Depp is already something of a rock star among musicians, the actor having already jammed onstage with The Black Keys, worked with Marilyn Manson, and played with shock rock godfather Alice Cooper.
Not to mention appearing at gigs with bearded Texans ZZ Top, burly Pogue, Shane McGowan and providing slide guitar on Oasis’ Be Here Now track, “Fade In-Fade Out,” but now the muso-come-actor has set sail once again on his latest musical project with the help of a legendary crew of musicians.
Cast your mind back six years and you may remember a time when pirate ballads, sea songs and shantey’s were given new life in a modernised compilation record aptly titled Rogue’s Gallery.
Following on from the film release of the 2006 film Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, Depp’s memorable performance in the role of Captain Jack Sparrow proved enough inspiration for the Hollywood actor to co-produce the original compilation record alongside director Gore Verbinski and producer Hal Willner. The initial two-disc affair included contributions from an impressive list of music royalty including Lou Reed, Nick Cave, and Bono.
If that wasn’t enough to have you dancing the decks then wait until you become acquainted with Son of Rogue’s Gallery, Volume 2 and the next installment to the modern day pirate’s soundtrack.
According to Consequence of Sound, Son of Rogue’s Gallery: Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs and Shantey’s will be released on February 19th next year and will feature collaborations and contributions from some huge names in music, including the likes of Nick Cave, Tom Waits, Keith Richards, Patti Smith and Iggy Pop.“This one seems…happier? Not as much about torture, sodomy and death, which will disappoint some.”
– Hal Willner, producer
The sophomore effort has once again been spearheaded by Hal Willner as producer and is executive-produced by Depp and Verbinski.
“About a year ago I secretly thought we would never finish,” Willner revealed in a recent press release. “As easy as Volume 1 was to coordinate, this was the opposite… This one seems…happier? Not as much about torture, sodomy and death, which will disappoint some, but we don’t need to repeat ourselves do we?”
‘Leaving Of Liverpool’ is the premiere track from the forthcoming release. According to Rolling Stone, the song was first heard on an American ship in 1884, making it over 125 years old. In the latest rendition, the sailor’s song features the gruff vocals of Irish musician and Pogues ringleader Shane MacGowan as well as special appearances by Depp and Verbinski.
Other notable seafaring collaborations on the 36-song tracklist include ‘Shenandoah’ by Tom Waits featuring long-time pal Keith Richards, the legendary Rolling Stones guitarist who was the original inspiration behind Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow.
Depp himself makes an appearance with punk heiress Patti Smith on “The Mermaid”, while Courtney Love provides an unlikely duetting partner to R.E.M. alumni Michael Stipe (no doubt providing the pirate wench role with suitable aplomb) on ‘Rio Grande’.
You can view the humorous artwork and full tracklisting of musical guests below:
Son of Rogue’s Gallery: Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs and Chanteys tracklist:
Disc 1
01. Shane MacGowan – “Leaving of Liverpool” [ft. Johnny Depp and Gore Verbinski]
02. Robyn Hitchcock – “Sam’s Gone Away”
03. Beth Orton – “River Come Down”
04. Sean Lennon – “Row Bullies Row” [ft. Jack Shit]
05. Tom Waits – “Shenandoah” [ft.Keith Richards]
06. Ivan Neville – “Mr Stormalong”
07. Iggy Pop – “Asshole Rules the Navy” [ft. A Hawk and a Hacksaw]
08. Macy Gray – “Off to Sea Once More”
09. Ed Harcourt – “The Ol’ OG”
10. Shilpa Ray – “Pirate Jenny” [ft. Nick Cave and Warren Ellis]
11. Patti Smith and Johnny Depp – “The Mermaid”
12. Chuck E Weiss – “Anthem for Old Souls”
13. Ed Pastorini – “Orange Claw Hammer”
14. The Americans – “Sweet and Low”
15. Robin Holcomb and Jessica Kenny – “Ye Mariners All”
16. Gavin Friday and Shannon McNally – “Tom’s Gone to Hilo”
17. Kenny Wollesen and The Himalayas Marching Band – “Bear Away”
Disc 2
01. Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention – “Handsome Cabin Boy”
02. Michael Stipe and Courtney Love – “Rio Grande”
03. Marc Almond – “Ship in Distress”
04. Dr John – “In Lure of the Tropics”
05. Todd Rundgren – “Rolling Down to Old Maui”
06. Dan Zanes – “Jack Tar on Shore” [ft. Broken Social Scene]
07. Sissy Bounce (Katey Red and Big Freedia) – “Sally Racket” [ft. Akron/Family]
08. Broken Social Scene – “Wild Goose”
09. Marianne Faithfull – “Flandyke Shore” [ft. Kate and Anna McGarrigle]
10. Ricky Jay – “The Chantey of Noah and his Ark (Old School Song)”
11. Michael Gira – “Whiskey Johnny”
12. Petra Haden – “Sunshine Life for Me” [ft. Lenny Pickett]
13. Jenni Muldaur – “Row the Boat Child”
14. Richard Thompson – “General Taylor” [ft. Jack Shit]
15. Tim Robbins – “Marianne” [ft. Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs]
16. Kembra Phaler – “Barnacle Bill the Sailor [ft. Antony, Joseph Arthur, and Foetus]
17. Angelica Huston – “Missus McGraw” [ft. The Weisberg Strings]
18. Iggy Pop and Elegant Too – “The Dreadnought”
19. Mary Margaret O’Hara – “Then Said the Captain to Me (Two Poems of the Sea)”
