Hugh Laurie - Should He Stick to Acting?

[Alex_UK]

Apparently, his debut Blues album is released on Monday, and is the most pre-ordered album ever on itunes... Currently on the Graham Norton Show, but has also been on Jools Holland I believe.

Um, maybe I've not "got" it - but I thought he was crap! Anyone else seen/heard him, and your views...?

[The Grand Wazoo]

Hmm........... there are better ways to hear the stuff he's celebrating here and indeed the people he's celebrating it with. On paper, it's got good credentials (producer, collaborators, choice of material) in practice, a bit dodgy, I'd say. He's not really a very convincing singer to me - actually a bit more like an actor (funny that!) and just doesn't sound like he means it. And perhaps the whole point of singing the blues is that you should really mean it.

Still, if it brings this music to the attention of one or two fans of a ropey old TV medical drama, then I don't suppose it can be all bad!

Just my opinion.

[Alex_UK]

He's not really a very convincing singer to me - actually a bit more like an actor (funny that!)

Exactly what I thought, though only based on one chat show performance, so hopefully the album will be on Spotify so I can give it a fair go, but you're right Chris, if it brings "proper" music to the attention of the masses, that can only be a good thing.

[Jonboy]

yes aggree he's not much of a singer but he is a mighty talented chap thats for sure, i wish that i was that useless, i have never watched House but enjoyed him in Blackadder

[Macca]

Loved him (and Fry) in Jeeves and Wooster - that covers a multitude of sins in my opinion.

But if he was to come round my estate and start waking everyone up on a Sunday morning crooning his blues records I would say 'Oi! Laurie! No!...' etc

[Cliff]

From A US point of view, he is not crap. I think his show is the best thing on American TV , which obviously isn't saying very much, :ner::ner:and about the only thing worth watching besides Turner classic movies, sometimes. My wife works in the medical field and really enjoys it, the show. She turned me into a fan, which is surprising because I think TV is for idiots.
We watch the show on DVD and don't have cable or any tv signals or service at our house.
As far as the music, more power to him. At least he likes pretty cool music.
The snipes about the quality are just typical Audio Forum snobbery and stupidity.
We will keep house around for a while.
Please take back that Cowell guy and the CRAP he brought with him.

[Macca]

Please take back that Cowell guy and the CRAP he brought with him.

No chance mate, you're stuck with him now:lol:

[MartinT]

I think he's a pretty talented comedian/actor/singer and I don't mind his blues singing. It's not the best voice in the world, but he sure can play the piano.

[Jac Hawk]

As far as the music, more power to him. At least he likes pretty cool music.
The snipes about the quality are just typical Audio Forum snobbery and stupidity.

I would agree. And ok so he's not the best singer in the world, but does he have to be? i heard him on the jamie cullen show and on the radio 2 breakfast show and he was ok, while talking to chris evans he said the reason he released his album wasn't because he wanted to show off or anything, but that he loved the music and didn't want this to be one of the what if moments of his life, he also appeared at the cheltnham jazz festival too and part of his live set was on the radio, i must say from what i heard over the radio, he sounds pretty good live.

I'm sure if he wasn't already famous as an actor we wouldn't be talking about him now and being hyper critical about his tallent, for me he's got a bit of jooles holland about him, in the way he plays piano, so to sum up, he's not the greatest singer, but a good pianist, he's not going to appeal to everyone as some folk can't seem to get past the fact that he can act too, he's bringing to the spotlight some classic delta blues, which in my oppinion is a good thing, i'll probably buy the album not because it's him but because i like da bloos:smoking:

[Barry]

I would agree. And ok so he's not the best singer in the world, but does he have to be? i heard him on the jamie cullen show and on the radio 2 breakfast show and he was ok, while talking to chris evans he said the reason he released his album wasn't because he wanted to show off or anything, but that he loved the music and didn't want this to be one of the what if moments of his life, he also appeared at the cheltnham jazz festival too and part of his live set was on the radio, i must say from what i heard over the radio, he sounds pretty good live.

I'm sure if he wasn't already famous as an actor we wouldn't be talking about him now and being hyper critical about his tallent, for me he's got a bit of jooles holland about him, in the way he plays piano, so to sum up, he's not the greatest singer, but a good pianist, he's not going to appeal to everyone as some folk can't seem to get past the fact that he can act too, he's bringing to the spotlight some classic delta blues, which in my oppinion is a good thing, i'll probably buy the album not because it's him but because i like da bloos:smoking:

Well put.

I saw him twice on 'Later' and thought he made a decent fist of it. So he hasn't got the best blues voice or delivery (and here I agree with Chris (TGW) that Laurie doesn't seem to feel the Blues), is nowhere near as good a pianist as Jools, but what the hell? - he's doing something he's wanted to do for a long time: express his love and appreciation for the New Orleans and Delta Blues music.

And any exposure and promulgation of the Delta Blues to a new audience is only to be applauded.

I have to say however, that I doubt very much I'll buy his CD: I have plenty of the original stuff.

[Neil McCauley]

Maybe the answer is this? If he were an unknown, would he garner musical credibility based solely on his musical ability? As for me, I saw him on ‘Later’ and thought – ‘Yes, okay. But nothing more’ Not quite Blues as I understand it - but that genre is a broad church I suppose.

However KD Lang and her band amazed me. All wow – but no flutter. Might be on YouTube. Her performance on 'Later' is well-worth seeking out.

[slate]

He plays better than me... let him
I still enjoy his antics on the tube... Black adder and House

[MartinT]

I think House is superb viewing. Makes me laugh out loud every episode.

[Tim]

However KD Lang and her band amazed me. All wow – but no flutter. Might be on YouTube. Her performance on 'Later' is well-worth seeking out.
She was exceptional on 'Later'

[Jonboy]

She was very good and into Roy Orbisons music influence at the moment

[Jac Hawk]

to be fair though guys KD Lang has been around for quite a bit longer musically speaking than Hugh has, and ok he wouldn't have got on later with jooles holland if he hadn't been famous already, but he's ten times better than most stuff that apears in the charts or is churned out by simon cowell.

[Jason P]

However KD Lang and her band amazed me. All wow – but no flutter. Might be on YouTube. Her performance on 'Later' is well-worth seeking out.


Quite....WHtekZHauqs

[Neil McCauley]

Meanwhile > http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/willgompertz/2011/05/why_is_hugh_laurie_so_popular.html

[Alex_UK]

Spotify link for the Hugh Laurie album for those that would like to give it a virtual spin:

http://open.spotify.com/album/4cXN5lJTFaFFfzFWaihRfm

[Yoga]

Ahh, Blackadder!

"It's about as sticky as when Sticky the stick insect sat on a sticky bun..."

:D

Edit - beautiful performance from Lang! Thanks for sharing.

Edit 2 - cheers for link Alex. A fan of some of the music, but not his voice.