U2 Sets November 13 Release for Dolly Parton Collaboration

U2 says its 12-track album Carnaval De Luz will be released November 13, featuring “Torn,” a collaboration with Dolly Parton that the band identifies as her final recorded vocal performance. The track is set to close the album. Parton died August 25 at age 80, according to the supplied reports; accounts of the recording and her approval come from Bono and producer Garret “Jacknife” Lee. Bono said he first approached Parton about a separate project inspired by Irish folk music. She felt the material was too Irish and offered “Torn,” a song she had written, instead. Bono and Snow Patrol songwriter Johnny McDaid then reworked the lyrics around a mother watching her family fracture, Bono said. The song’s writing credits include Parton, U2 and McDaid. Bono said Parton recorded her vocal while ill, describing her as getting out of bed to sing. He also said he cannot listen to the recording now. Lee said Parton heard and approved the final mix before her death, and was proud of her vocal and the recording. The album announcement and collaborators’ comments characterize “Torn” as Parton’s final vocal recording.