aaamusic | On 30, Oct 2011

Hugh Laurie will release ‘Let Them Talk: Special Edition’ on November 14^th on Warner Bros. Records. Available on CD/DVD and digital download formats, this is an expanded version of his critically acclaimed debut album that entered the charts at #2 when it was released earlier this year. The album has since reached Gold status and has sold over half a million copies worldwide to date.

‘Let Them Talk: Special Edition’ compiles the original ‘Let Them Talk’ album with four new recordings and a live DVD. Three of the new tracks were recorded with original album producer Joe Henry in Los Angeles in early October: the focus track ‘Hallelujah, I Love Her So’ is Laurie’s interpretation of Ray Charles’ classic 1956 single; ‘Waiting For A Train’ was originally written by early country pioneer Jimmie Rodgers; and ‘Crazy Arms’, a Ralph Mooney and Chuck Seals composition popularised by Ray Price. The fourth new recording is a live version of ‘You Don’t Know My Mind’ that was recorded in Paris in May.

The ‘Special Edition’ is completed by a DVD which features Hugh’s special live performance and documentary ‘Let Them Talk – A Celebration of New Orleans Blues’ which was recorded in New Orleans, and features the legends Sir Tom Jones, Irma Thomas and Allen Toussaint. The 45 minute film features live footage of many of the highlights of the ‘Let Them Talk’ album.

Proceeds from the sales of Hugh Laurie’s new single ‘Hallelujah, I Love Her So’ will be donated to the BBC’s Children in Need appeal (with a minimum of 20p per download). Laurie will also offer further support to the charity when he performs the track with Jamie Cullum at the Children in Need Rocks charity concert which will be held at Manchester’s M.E.N. Arena on November 17^th. The event will be broadcast live on BBC One between from 8pm.

‘Let Them Talk: Special Edition’ unites Laurie’s musical talent with a very personal selection of standards and lost blues classics performed with the Copper Bottom Band, a collective of internationally renowned musicians and some very special guest stars. Together, they interpret and revive songs originally recorded by NOLA blues legends such as Lead Belly, Robert Johnson, Ray Charles and Memphis Slim.

The original version of ‘Let Them Talk’ has become a true global hit landing Top 10 chart positions in nine markets as well as Top 40 chart positions in a further eleven. To date, the album has peaked at #16 on the US Billboard album chart and has topped the Billboard blues album chart since launch.

www.hughlaurieblues.com