The 15-year solo career of Natalie Merchant is chronicled on “Retrospective 1990-2005,” due Sept. 27 from Rhino. The set will arrive in two versions: a two-disc collection of hits, rarities, collaborations and new songs, as well as a single-disc featuring only tracks released as singles. On her as previously reported, were recorded earlier this summer. Amidst its other treasures, are the previously unreleased “She Devil,” originally intended for “Ophelia,” and “Cowboy Romance,” recorded during sessions for “The House Carpenter’s Daughter.”
In other news, Merchant reports on her site that she recently contributed a vocal track for a song that is slated to appear on a new album from South Africa’s celebrated a cappella group Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
Here is the “Retrospective 1990-2005” track list:
Disc one:
“Wonder” (single version)
“Carnival”
“Jealousy” (single version)
“San Andreas Fault”
“Kind & Generous”
“Break Your Heart”
“Life Is Sweet”
“The Living”
“Build a Levee”
“Not in This Life”
“Motherland”
“Owensboro”
“Sally Ann”
Disc two:
“She Devil”
“Cowboy Romance”
“Children Go Where I Send Thee”
“Birds and Ships” (with Billy Bragg)
“The Lowlands of Holland” (with the Chieftains)
“One Fine Day”
“Photograph” (with R.E.M.)
“Party of God” (with Billy Bragg)
“Thick as Thieves” (2005 version)
“Bread and Circuses” (with Billy Bragg)
“Because I Could Not Stop for Death” (with Susan McKeown)
“Tell Yourself” (2005 version)
“But Not for Me”
“I Know How To Do It” (with Dr. John)
“Come Take a Trip in My Airship”
