He is best known for the grumpy but brilliant doctor he plays on the hit TV series “House,” but Hugh Laurie’s real passion is the vibrant music of New Orleans.
In the PBS documentary/concert film “Let Them Talk: A Celebration of New Orleans Blues,” airing at 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 30 on KUED, the British actor shares what he believes is “arguably America’s greatest gift to the world.”
Laurie travels from Texas to New Orleans in a bright red, rag-top ’66 Ford Galaxie 500 and gives a colorful overview of Southern musical culture. He stops along the way to sit in with an impromptu guitar-picking circle, shop in an authentic blues record store and rehearse and perform with such blues legends as Allen Toussaint and Irma Thomas, known as the “Soul Queen of New Orleans.”
A musician since the age of 6, Laurie shares his obvious love for the mixture of blues and jazz that grew out of New Orleans at the beginning of the last century. The actor-musician speaks with passion of his inspiration as a teenager when he first heard blues great Professor Longhair’s “Tipitina” and his pleasure to be jamming with legendary blues performers.
“Here I am in the French Quarter playing with all these amazing musicians,” Laurie says. “This may be about as good as it gets. In fact, this may be what heaven is like.”
The original version of the documentary aired in England as “Hugh Laurie: Down By The River,” but it’s primary focus was the album’s recording sessions. The U.S. version contains more performance and concert footage, including Laurie’s gig at New Orleans’ historic Latrobe’s On Royal — and it’s one of this show’s highlights.
The telecast is timed to the Sept. 6 release of his debut solo album, also called “Let Them Talk” after the Little Willie John classic that Laurie performs. The CD features 15 covers of such songs as “Swanee River,” “Saint James Infirmary” and “Buddy Bolden’s Blues.” The album has been available in Europe since May, and Laurie spent most of his “House” hiatus performing in British and European clubs with his Copper Bottom Band to promote the album.
When he presented the special to TV critics at an industry convention, Laurie explained he was aware of the misgivings for actors who moonlight as musicians.
“You put these things out there in good faith, hoping that they will touch people in some way, and that’s all you can do,” Laurie said.
But his reason for doing the documentary and signing a recording contract?
“I love this music, as authentically as I know how, and I want you to love it, too. And if you get a thousandth of the pleasure from it that I’ve had, we’re all ahead of the game.”
As engaging as the PBS program is, it appears to be even more transporting for Laurie. Watch his face during performances. You’ll be watching a man in a state of bliss.