When The Greatest came out in 2006, Cat Power was already an indie icon and a decade into her career. This album was her crowning artistic triumph: a crossover out of indie rock, backed by the legendary Memphis Rhythm Band. But by this time, too, her personal struggles had become public, even a defining part of her image. She’d break down at live shows, and cancel parts of her album tour. For poet Hanif Abdurraqib, her visible - and audible - pain are what spoke to him most. The moment he heard the opening notes of The Greatest, he knew this album might save his life.
Chan Marshall / Cat Power performing at KCRW. Photo credit: Larry Hirshowitz
Chan Marshall / Cat Power performing at KCRW. Photo credit: Larry Hirshowitz