Patty Larkin’s ’25’ Features 25 Celebrity Pals

Patty Larkin is giving fans some rare insight into the singer/songwriters that have helped mold her own sound during her quarter of a century in the music business.

Patty's latest release, '25,' features collaborations with 25 of her closest musical friends -- including Rosanne Cash, Shawn Colvin and Willy Porter -- on some of the love songs she's written through the years. And to share with her fans the fun she's had during those star-studded recording sessions, Patty has taken to her website to share daily insights about each featured artist.

"I wanted to record love songs because they're a big, fuzzy thank you to those that come out and support me," Patty tells The Boot. "To have all of these artists take time to work on this was just tremendous."

Many artists -- including Rosanne who was finishing her album 'The List' while simultaneously planning her daughter's wedding, took breaks from their own musical and personal projects to work with Patty. When an artist agreed to work with her, Patty would send a selection of her songs. Once a guest artist chose the song on which to collaborate, Patty basically allowed them to shape the lyrics and music as they wished. Patty's only caveat: This wasn't a tribute to her, but a collaboration with the guest.

Time and distance necessitated that the actual recording was done individually, generally in the artist's home studios. Patty likened each song's arrival to a surprise package that she couldn't wait to hear.

"Each of them did a beautiful job," said Patty. "Some of the collaborations truly brought me to tears," she says. "It was pretty incredible."

The project took on even more poignancy for Patty when her mother was diagnosed with a fatal illness during the project.

"It was really beautiful, an emotional release," said Patty. "I was able to talk to her as she was dying and sing songs from this project that she really enjoyed. It really helped me through the grieving process."

Patty Larkin's '25' will be in stores March 9.