Hugh Laurie shows off his blues abilities

Otherwise known as TV's Dr House, Hugh Laurie controversially tackles the blues on his album Let Them Talk – and puts on a good show

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Hugh Laurie
Let Them Talk
(Warners)

It's perfect product placement, really - to have grumpy, stubbly Doctor House lean into a vintage mic and deliver the likes of John Henry, St James Infirmary or the title song, Let Them Talk. I was half-hoping to hear the voice of the Prince Regent from Blackadder, but this is full-House Laurie, with the good doctor tending to the piano and guitar as if the pain in the keys and strings could be coaxed out only by his fingers. As America's most highly paid actor, Laurie can afford a fine guest list, and Let Them Talk's roster includes Dr John and Irma Thomas. The arrangements are atmospheric, concentrated around the pulse, and spare on showiness. Forget ideas of "inauthenticity" and whether Laurie's English middle-class background forbids him from playing the blues; this kind of project has form - think Steve Martin's album of old-time banjo tunes, The Crow. It doesn't redefine the form in any way, but it's a record of love and craft. When I woke up this morning, I put it on and felt pretty good. The voice is warm and he plays superbly and with feeling. The blues celebrates the 100th anniversary of Robert Johnson on May 8, and if Let Them Talk brings new audiences to one of the great music forms of the last century, then Laurie can dust his broom as often as he likes.

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