Album: Hugh Laurie, Let Them Talk (Warner Bros)

Andy Gill
Friday 06 May 2011 00:00 BST
Comments

Usually, actors' albums should be avoided as carefully as pop stars' movies; but Hugh Laurie's New Orleans tribute Let Them Talk may be the exception that proves the rule.

For one thing, he knows his Crescent City music modes inside-out, from R&B classics like "St James Infirmary" and "John Henry" to the distinctive rumba-rock piano of Professor Longhair's "Tipitina". For another, he plays with effortless charm; and clinching the deal, the producer Joe Henry has surrounded Laurie with the right musicians, using the session crew from all those T-Bone Burnett productions, and NOLA legend Allen Toussaint scoring the horns. With the slight caveat that Laurie's vocals never quite cast off their Englishness (and why should they?), this is a commendable effort which at its best furnishes considerable enjoyment.

DOWNLOAD THIS You Don't Know My Mind; They're Red Hot; Tipitina; Let Them Talk

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in