"Twelve," released April 24, is Smith's first collection of new studio recordings since 2004's "Trampin'." The new disc features 12 cover versions of famous rock songs and overlooked treasures, including new takes on Tears for Fears' "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" and Neil Young's "Helpless."

Smith and her band--Lenny Kaye (guitar), Jay Dee Daugherty (drums) and Tony Shanahan (bass, keyboards)--interpret a wide variety of other rock artists on the album, including Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, The Doors, Nirvana, Jefferson Airplane, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Allman Brothers Band and Paul Simon.

Joining Smith on the set are a number of guest artists, including Italian cellist Giovanni Sollima; playwright Sam Shepard (with whom Smith collaborated on "Cowboy Mouth" in 1971) on banjo; early '60s Greenwich Village folk artists John Cohen (banjo) and Peter Stampfel (fiddle); Red Hot Chili Peppers' bassist Flea; Television guitarist Tom Verlaine; The Black Crowes' Rich Robinson on slide guitar and dulcimer; and hip-hop producer Luis Resto (Eminem) on keyboards.

Patti's son, Jackson, and daughter, Jesse, contribute guitar and vocal work, respectively, to the recording.