I was a bit surprised to read gossip today that sultry actress/recently elected image of perfection Scarlett Johansson is heading into the recording studio to make an album entitled Scarlett Sings Tom Waits. (At press time, we were still waiting for Johansson’s rep to respond to our request for confirmation of the story.) Not that she’s the first pretty actress to want a recording career as well; there’s an entire batch of L. Lo’s and J. Lo’s who have that realm covered. My interest comes, rather, from her choice to cover songs composed by the enigmatic Waits.
Anyone who heard Johansson belt it out during a guest appearance on SNL last year, or who has heard her rendition of Gershwin’s "Summertime" recorded for a charity album, you have to admit, the girl’s got something. Her solid yet ethereal voice is quite lovely. I’m just not sure how it will sound interpreting Tom Waits’ trademark swaggering raspy growl and elusive lyrics. And what songs will she sing? Classic Waits? Or his more experimental fare?
Any other actors you’d like to see make a record? (Since watching Happy Endings, I thought it’d be neat if Maggie Gyllenhaal gave it a whirl.) And are you as excited as I am to hear ScarJo take on Waits?
Tom Waits covers are best when delivered by voices like Scarlett’s. (Old 55 by Sarah Maclachlan and Time by Tori Amos, for example), so I’m excited to hear this, if it’s true.
Have you ever heard Toni Collette sing? Lovely.
Scarlett can do no wrong! (Except for The Black Dahlia) I can’t wait to hear it!
I’m looking forward to it. I like Tom Waits lyrics but I can’t stand his growl so anyone actually SINGING his words would be welcome.
It’s not bad and it’s not especially good…but she definitely has promise, much better than her contemps like Lilo. Jazz is definitely her beat.
Ok, I’m not gunna lie, that was brilliant. It was subtle and controlled and overall a spectacular interpretaion of the song.
Just as long as it isn’t anything like Rod Stewart’s cover of “Downtown Train,” I’m all for it.
I saw Waits perform during his stop to Louisville (one of the lucky few). He may sound like gobbles cigarettes for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and a midnight snack, but the man is truly a showman. I’d give my whole left hand to watch him perform “Make It Rain” live again.
Gwyneth Paltrow should cut an album of standards. She has a beautiful voice that would translate well on record.
I am not a fan of ScarJo, but let’s be fair, her voice is so weathered and brick-rough it’s reminiscent of Lauren Bacall, and, obviously, the deep scratchiness of one brill Tom Waits. So it makes sense.
Since watching Happy Endings, I’ll be much much more excited if Maggie Gyllenhaal gives it a whirl!
btw, since Scarlett has got her beauty already, I don’t really care whether she sings well or bad.
I want Brittany Murphy to make an album. That girl can SING!
Zooey Dashunel can sing! She sounded beautiful in “Elf” but I don’t know about her tackling Janis Joplin. Her voice is smokey and soulful but it lacks Joplin’s sense of despair.
How about the return of the return of Bruno! It’s been decades since Bruce Willis cut an album. I’m sure a slick producer could make him sound good.
I second Brittney Murphy – Faster Kill Pussycat is an awesome song and she rocks in it! Great voice.
Scarlett can sing to me ANYTIME.
Yummy.
You’ve got to be effing kidding me. Seriously, this has got to be some kind of foul joke.