Hugh Laurie
Let Them Talk

Often, when a film and TV star tries their hand at musical performances or even (as in this case) actual music projects, the results are not exactly the best: in the most hopeful scenario, it's at most "amusing" to see your favorite stars from the small and big screen venturing into a context, the musical one, which they usually don't deal with. In the worst cases, we witness blatant off-key singing and complete humiliations of the art of music.

Well, Hugh Laurie does not belong to either of these cases.

The English actor and comedian (famous particularly for his portrayal of the legendary Gregory House in the TV show "House - M.D.") had previously engaged in small musical performances mostly with his friend and colleague Stephen Fry, but he had never dared to insert himself into the international music scene.

However, in 2011, at the peak of his success, Laurie gives it a try, recording an album that is a sincere homage to the blues, the actor's favorite musical genre. And this album, "Let Them Talk", turns out to be, in the end, a real and delightful surprise. One does not encounter a whim of a star who wanted to poke their nose into a "foreign" world: instead, you listen to a full hour of wholesome and impeccable blues, performed with passion by an admirer of the genre, accompanied by a host of excellent musicians.

Laurie sings without overdoing it, naturally, with a genuinely amused manner, and plays the piano with elegance and liveliness, all within a light and intimate atmosphere.

Despite there being better moments than others, the album is still well-crafted as a whole. There could not have been a better introduction than the robust "St. James Infirmary", which features an introduction that simply deserves applause. The succession of tracks proceeds with songs that are always fresh and fun, between truly memorable moments (such as "Battle of Jericho", "Swanee River", "Buddy Bolden's Blues" or "Winin' Boy Blues") and others that are simply pleasant (like "The Whale Has Swallowed Me" or "They're Red Hot"), but in general, the quality of the tracks is always excellent. The album closes just as effectively with the sweet title-track.

"Let Them Talk" thus proves to be a highly enjoyable album for any occasion, both for blues lovers and for the "occasional" listeners, as well as for the simple fans of Laurie, intrigued by this "unconventional" side of the British actor.

Although not a milestone of its genre or a masterpiece, "Let Them Talk" is therefore a highly recommended album.