Hugh Laurie is a man of many talents. He's been solid on "House" going on eight seasons now, playing the craggy genius of a physician.
He has a background in music, though, and we've seen him work it into the show every now and then with guitar and piano playing. It's felt like there was something just burning to get out of this actor.
A lot of times, good actors taking on music projects don't work as well as good singers taking on acting. Compare, say, Robert Downey, Jr. to Justin Timberlake.
I recently caught up with Laurie's debut album, just released earlier this year. Recorded in New Orleans, "Let Them Talk" is an awfully good blues album, with Laurie demonstrating some pretty impressive jazz piano skill and a feel for the southern-fried music.
He slightly masks his British accent with a borrowed southern drawl most noticeably on tracks like "St. James Infirmary" and "Tipitina," but it sounds authentic rather than chameleon-like. He's indulging himself in everything he loves about this music - allowing for long instrumental introductions and intervals to some songs.
I'm late to the party on this - it was released back in April. But I haven't been able to stop listening to it for several straight days.
Just thought I'd share.
Check it out here.
