The Delight and Beauty of Hugh Laurie's Let Them Talk

Among the album releases from the first half of 2011, Hugh Laurie's Let Them Talk stands above the rest. Featuring horn arrangements and guest artists such as Irma Thomas and Dr John, it provides the most beautiful setting of music similar to what can be found in New Orleans. Combinations of jazz and blues with an occasional blending of blue grass and light rock pleasantly fill your ears; it is an incredible experience that transports the listener somewhere else.

From the opening track -- "St James' Infirmary" -- which starts off with a deeply mournful classical piano introduction and working its way into a whirl of jazz, featuring the lyrics from Louis Armstrong's variation on the song, to songs like "Battle of Jericho" that commemorate African-American spirituals that have long been heard throughout the four quarters of New Orleans and other areas of the South. Everything on the album was chosen by him personally as his standard of jazz and lost classics, music that he has explained that he loved and wanted to share with everyone.

"Baby, Please Make a Change" is among my personal favourites for this album. Featuring Sir Tom Jones and Irma Thomas, it uses their rich voices to tell the story of a desire for a necessary change in what feels like the life of a couple, even when the lyrics are so wonderfully vague they could be used as a challenge to any social institution. "Tipitana" is another song that is brilliantly done, with a glorious combination of a jazz piano and brass band and the wonderful middle tones of Mr Laurie's voice.

The entire album is a modern experience of classic jazz and blues music. Every piece is a beautiful rendition, asking the listener to search further into the genre's history. Hugh Laurie's musical performances may be unexpected by those who never saw him on shows like Fry & Laurie , but he certainly remains true to the musical talents he's occasionally showcased.