You Don't Know My Mind: Musical Wednesday

Happy mid-week, dears!

My first introduction to the phenomenal Hugh Laurie came unintentionally many, many years ago as I watched him play one of the bumbling villains in the 1996 version of 101 Dalmatians. I have since come to respect and enjoy his acting skills through his early staring role in the British series, Jeeves & Wooster, and the more recent, cynical Dr. Gregory House on the widely popular TV show, House (Phew, talk about having a wide range of acting skills!). Most recently, however, I have been enjoying him as a musician - yes, a musician. Here’s why.

His new(ish) record, Let Them Talk, showcases Bluesy tunes, some of which are well-known to the world of Blues, others perhaps slightly less familiar. But familiar or not, the album is full of both foot-stompingly good tracks and those that make you want to don a red dress and sway listlessly around a smoky, Mississippi bar as the flies buzz by (sorry to my gentlemen readers if the latter scenario doesn’t apply to you). Yet what really struck me about Mr. Laurie making a record, most especially considering the genre, was the juxtaposition of a well-to-do, white, British gentleman singing the Blues – and how incredibly well he does so. (In fact, is it just me, or does he channel some Chris Martin vocals here and there?)

Any which way, I would encourage you to give it a listen this week as you go about your days – heed the album booklet, as he addresses the aforementioned twist on the Blues… in fact, it’s this booklet that got me hooked before even giving it a listen. He’s quite a witty writer to boot, which is always appreciated. He seems to snuff out any would-be skeptic’s criticisms for being a “poser” by opening with the following:

“I was not born in Alabama in the 1890’s. You may as well know this now. I’ve never eaten grits… No gypsy woman attended my birth and there’s no hellhound on my trail, as far as I’m aware. Let this record show that I am a white, middle-class Englishman, openly trespassing on the music and myth of the American south.”

His enthusiasm for this particular genre of music is unmistakable, and makes for a darn good listen. Enjoy!

Adoringly,

Yours