‘House’ star Hugh Laurie will release his debut album ‘Let Them Talk’ in May.
Laurie, an accomplished musician, was heard playing piano on Meat Loaf’s recent ‘Teddy Bear’ album. His own record is a blues album.
“In my imagination, New Orleans just straight hummed with music, romance, joy, despair; its rhythms got into my gawky English frame and, at times, made me so happy and sad, I just didn’t know what to do with myself,” said Laurie. “I love this music as authentically as I know how, and I want you to love it too. If you get a thousandth of the pleasure from it that I’ve had, we’re all ahead of the game.”
The album was produced by Joe Henry and recorded in Los Angeles and New Orleans. ‘Let Them Talk’ is an album of Blues covers featuring songs by Robert Johnson, Lead Belly and Ray Charles.
Music legend Tom Jones is a special guest on ‘Baby, Please Make A Change’ while the legendary New Orleans musician Dr John appears in ‘After You’ve Gone’.
Warner Music will release ‘Let Them Talk’ on May 6.
Tracklisting (with original artists)
1. St. James Infirmary (Louis Armstrong / Snooks Eaglin)
2. You Don’t Know My Mind (Lead Belly)
3. Buddy Bolden’s Blues (Jelly Roll Morton)
4. The Whale Has Swallowed Me (J.B.Lenoir)
5. John Henry (Memphis Slim / Snooks Eaglin)
6. They’re Red Hot (Robert Johnson)
7. Six Cold Feet (Leroy Carr)
8. Joshua Fit The Battle Of Jericho (Sister Rosetta Tharp)
9. After You’ve Gone (Bessie Smith /Fats Waller)
10. Swanee River (Ray Charles / Dr. John)
11. Police Dog Blues (Blind Blake)
12. Tipitina (Professor Longhair)
13. Whining Boy Blues (Jelly Roll Morton)
14. Baby, Please Make A Change (Mississippi Sheiks)
15. Let Them Talk (James Booker)
Bonus tracks
16. Guess I’m A Fool (Memphis Slim)
17. It Ain’t Necessarily So (Louis Armstrong)
18. Low Down, Worried and Blue (Dr. John)
The band
Hugh Laurie (vocals, piano)
Jay Bellerose (drums)
David Piltch (bass)
Greg Leisz (guitar, dobro, mandolin)
Patrick Warren (keys)
Kevin Breit (guitar, tenor, mandolin)
With horns arranged by Allen Toussaint
Guest vocalists
Dr. John – on ‘After You’ve Gone’
Irma Thomas – on ‘John Henry’ and ‘Baby, Please Make A Change’
Sir Tom Jones – on ‘Baby, Make A Change’
VIDEO: Meat Loaf, talks about Hugh Laurie's performance on his Teddy Bear album:
