I used to dream of this city. This has been my Jerusalem- Hugh Laurie
In ITV's Down By the River documentary, Hugh Laurie’s journey “down the river into the heart of lightness” begins in a two-seater plane, guided to a smooth landing by Laurie himself. This isn't Hollywood, where Laurie lives when he's playing the iconic Dr. Gregory House. Nor is it London, the land he considers his true home. We are in Fredericksburg, Texas, the first leg on this extraordinary trip of musical self-discovery. Laurie invites us into the passenger seat of the red 1966 Ford Galaxie 500 he’s purchased especially for this journey, and off we go.
To the strains of Professor Longhair’s Mardi Gras In New Orleans, we travel alongside Laurie as he immerses himself in the music of the land. In Austin, we visit an establishment called Maggie Mae’s where we are treated to a performance by Miss Lavelle White, a blues singer of the first order. She wails out a Jimmy Reed song as the band and Laurie accompany her. Laurie looks like he’s never had so much fun.
Traveling on, Laurie offers a few words of wisdom against classifying music. “There are only two types of music: good and bad. “Everything else is just indexing”. He sits in with a guitar picking circle in Luckenbach, where anyone can join. “All you need is a guitar...and a hat”. Equipped with both, he strums his acoustic and grins, content to let the other players take the spotlight. He is learning. Soaking it in. Reveling in the music, culture and camaraderie.
Throughout the film, Laurie supplies anecdotes about his favorite musicians and tells the stories behind their songs. He is well versed in blues lore and to hear him go on about his passion is a joy. But he does have an ulterior motive, and that is to inspire those who never had an interest in blues music to seek out recordings by the masters: Leadbelly, J.B. Lenoir, Leroy Carr and Professor Longhair to name a few.
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Article comments
1 - riverflow22
Nice review! I also loved the fact that Hugh was so moved by the music that he got over his standard "men shouldn't dance" mantra and treated us to what the blues (specifically Professor Longhair} can make him do. Here's to the second album!
2 - Mindy Peterman
Riverflow22: Thanks so much. I totally agree about that second album!
3 - cj_housegirl
Good review. I watched Down By The River and thoroughly enjoyed it. It is so much fun when a musician has a passion for the music that they are playing, and Hugh showed that in spades. That was what made it so watchable because Hugh showed his audience just how in love he is.
4 - Mindy Peterman
cj_housegirl: You are so right about that.
5 - leakeysfriend
I confess early word of this venture worried me, but this love and enthusiasm for the blues is magical. Good job all round, and very nice review.
6 - who
Ocean Way is in Los Angeles, not New Orleans
7 - Mindy Peterman
who: Thanks for finding my mistake. It will be fixed.
8 - marie yates
I just loved this programme , I was sooo pleased to see Hugh genuinly enjoying himself , you could feel the sincerity, I had the pleasure of seeing his concert in Manchester, he was just as happy and sincere that night too, he was terrific , I cant wait for a second album , I am so glad it has done so well in the charts too , it couldnt happen to a nicer guy , well done Hugh , you deserve every accolade you get for you many talents , xx Marie
9 - marie yates
sorry Mindy , got carried away there ,thanks for the great review , its time people started giving him more positive reviews, and thanks for the nod on Hugh Laurie 'pilot' , must say I had not realised that and I have watched it three times, but always from the ford Galaxie bit onwards .xx
10 - Mindy
Marie: Thanks for your kind words. How lucky you were to have seen him play in Manchester. Many talents, indeed. He is a true polymath!
11 - Suzy
I really enjoyed this documentary and I too would have loved to see more. And definitely see the whole concert.
I am not a blues lover so I think I am one of those that this is just perfect for. I bought the album and I loved it. Of course I've heard some of the songs before but not really reflected on them. I really like Mr Laurie's take on them. And after seeing this documentary it is obvious it's something he loves.