Let Them Talk Warner Bros* * *

“If you care about provenance and genealogy, then you should try elsewhere because I have nothing in your size.” So says this genial British actor and comedian, otherwise known as House, who made his toff Oxbridge background something of an acting asset and threatens to do likewise with his affectionate take on the blues, particularly the kind that hails from New Orleans. Laurie’s take on blues classics is draped in knowledgeable, oldtime arrangements, and the hired help (including the venerable quartet Dr John, Sir Tom Jones, Allen Toussaint and Irma Thomas) are top-notch. However, his dry cackle of a voice, so big on character, is also self-conscious and limited in range. In his favour are lashings of good taste in song selection, arrangements and personnel, which help him to turn a personal obsession into an enjoyable meander through the blues. See hughlaurieblues. com

Download tracks: Let the Talk, Baby, Please Make a Change