Cyndi Lauper’s is taking an unexpected southern turn on Detour, her 11th studio album. It finds the Grammy, Emmy and Tony-winner putting her spin on a dozen classic country songs. Lauper revisits these country classics from the 40s, 50s and 60s recording the album in Nashville. Lauper says this is something she’s dreamed about for many years. Growing up, she recalls listening to singers like Loretta Lynn, and Wanda Jackson in her Aunt Gracie’s kitchen.

“When I was a really young kid, country music was pop music, so this is what we grew up listening to. These songs are part of some of my earliest memories so it has been an absolute thrill to revisit them.”

The rollicking take on Heartaches By The Number, has been covered by everyone from George Jones to Dwight Yoakum and Cyndi makes it her own too. It also features covers of two classic Pasty Cline songs, Walkin’ After Midnight & I Fall To Pieces. Lauper says,

“I spent a lot of time in my room singing with Patsy. I had to sing a Patsy Cline song – or two – because her voice was like one of my girlfriends. That’s how close I felt to her.”

Lauper duets with some country music royalty like Emmylou Harris , Willie Nelson, Vince Gill and Alison Krauss. Jewel also makes an appearance, showcasing her prodigious yodeling skills on I Want To Be A Cowboy’s Sweetheart, which was the first country song by a woman to sell a million copies.

DETOUR

1. “Funnel Of Love”

2. “Detour” – Featuring Emmylou Harris

3. “Misty Blue”

4. “Walkin’ After Midnight”

5. “Heartaches By The Number”

6. “The End Of The World”

7. “Night Life” – Featuring Willie Nelson

8. “Begging To You”

9. “You’re The Reason Our Kids Are Ugly” – Featuring Vince Gill

10. “I Fall To Pieces”

11. “I Want To Be A Cowboy’s Sweetheart” – Featuring Jewel

12. “Hard Candy Christmas” – Featuring Alison Krauss