Courtney Meets "Bette Davis"

Courtney Love has amassed twenty-eight songs for her upcoming solo debut, America's Sweetheart, including a cover of Kim Carnes' 1981 hit "Bette Davis Eyes." She is recording the album, due out in September, in a thirteen-century chateau in the South of France.

Love has collaborated on at least half of the new tracks with former 4 Non Blondes frontwoman and Pink/Christina Aguilera-songwriter Linda Perry. Among the songs Love is prepping for possible inclusion are the tentatively titled "Julian," "Mono," "Sunset Strip" and "Hold On To Me."

America's Sweetheart is Love's first album since Hole's final effort, 1998's Celebrity Skin. The album is being produced by Love's boyfriend/co-manager, James Barber.

In September, Love was released from her contract with Universal Records following a contentious battle with the label. According to a source close to the project, representatives from V2, Virgin, Sony, Sanctuary and Poptones are expected to fly to France next week to listen to the new record, and Love should have a new deal by the end of May.

Love is slated to play the Reading and Leeds festivals in late August, as well as some additional European festivals before hitting the U.S. in late September for her first string of domestic dates since an aborted co-headlining tour with Marilyn Manson in 1999.

Love is not only without a label but is also without a band. She is searching for a female bass and guitar player, though the source said it is "not out of the question" that some of her former Hole bandmates might join Love on the road.

GIL KAUFMAN
(April 25, 2003)