Cyndi’s Blue Period

Lauper, who’s been busy delighting viewers and frustrating competitors on Donald Trump’s “Celebrity Apprentice” this spring, is preparing to release Memphis Blues, a collection of blues cover songs she explained was a long time coming.

“This is the album I’ve wanted to make for years,” the singer said. “All of these beautiful songs, and all of the great players on the album, were carefully chosen because I’ve admired them my entire life.

“And I knew from the moment Allen Toussaint hit the keys in ‘Shattered Dreams’ that we were creating something really special.”

To record Blues, Lauper traveled to Memphis and settled in for a spell at the city’s Electraphonic Recording Studio.

After assembling a team of “crackerjack session players” like Stax vets Lester Snell and Skip Pitts and Hi Rhythm Section players Leroy Hodges and Howard Grimes to help her cut the album live on analog equipment while she called out arrangements on the studio floor, Cyndi called out the reinforcements.

Guests on the project include harmonica great Charlie Musselwhite, Ann Peebles (of “I Can’t Stand The Rain” fame), organist Toussaint, guitarist Jonny Lang and, last but by no means least, B.B. King.

Tracks on the album include “I’m Just Your Fool,” “Early in the Morning,” “Down Don’t Bother Me,” “Rollin and Tumblin’,” “Mother Earth” and “Crossroads.”

Fans will get a chance to hear Lauper cut loose on songs from Memphis Blues, due June 22, when she hits the road next month for a full slate of shows that kicks off June 25 in Morristown, N.J.

Of course, since the lady has a wealth of material to choose from, you can bet you’ll also hear Cyndi Lauper classics like “Time After Time,” “True Colors,” “I Drove All Night,” “Sally’s Pigeons,” and “Shine.”

Since Cyndi’s prone to surprises though, they just might be dressed up in a fresh coat of paint.

Here’s a quick peek at the recording sessions for Memphis Blues.