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Hugh Laurie has said time and time again that his dream job would be to front a rock'n'roll band. Part of his wish came true when he and Greg Grunberg formed Banned from TV (I like the pun, deal with it), a band made up of tv actors who play gigs and then donate all the proceeds to various charities.

HOWEVER.

Hugh has recorded his first-ever CD--a compilation of New Orleans jazz and blues--both standards and relatively unknown pieces--called Let Them Talk (link goes to the official site). There's a mini-documentary about the making of the album, and a free download of the track "Guess I'm a Fool" if you're willing to give the site your email address. He plays both piano and guitar, and several tracks are duets with legends such as Irma Thomas, Allen Toussaint, and Hugh's hero, Dr. John.

He and the band (sans the legendary musicians) just gigged today in Manchester, and will be gigging on May 11 in Paris. I have no idea if he'll be gigging in the U.S., but my guess is that he will be.

The album is the #1 pre-ordered album on iTunes UK of all time.

Scans of Hugh's interview from the current issue of Guitar Afficionado:

Hugh on the cover of the magazine
Page 1 of the interview
Page 2 of the interview
Page 3 of the interview

Go here to see Hugh on The Graham Norton Show, having a brief interview (including Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson), and then playing Leadbelly's "You Don't Know My Mind."