Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Playlist: Actresses who insist on singing

I was saddened by the news of Brittany Murphy’s death. She was a talented young actor. And also, come to find out, a better-than-average singer.

Scarlett Johansson and Juliette Lewis put out new albums in 2009. And I recently discovered that Milla Jovovich and Minnie Driver also take themselves seriously as rock vocalists.

How do they sound to you?

1. “Faster Kill Pussycat” – Oakenfold feat. Brittany Murphy

2. “Flashlight” – Milla Jovovich

3. “Hungry Heart” – Minnie Driver

4. “Hard Lovin’ Woman” – Juliette Lewis

5. “Relator” – Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I knew that Minnie Driver handled her own vocals in some films but had no idea she was doing albums. Everyone else came as no surprise, and I don't have the strength to tackle the provided audio.

Julie Delpy has at least one album which is sitting on my computer. I've not had a moment special enough to partake. And Jenna Malone has some sort of avant-garde 7" single out which I listened to once and filed away.

But really, more importantly, did you just post a spank-bank pic of the recently deceased?

Undercover Black Man said...

^ It's all love.

Anonymous said...

what about Zooey Deschanel?

papasean said...

Flashlight?!?!
oh, not that version...

junebug said...

I saw a clip of Ms. Murphy performing Queen's "Somebody To Love" during the recording sessions for the movie Happy Feet and was SHOCKED at how good she was (haven't seen the movie yet)! And apparently, she had no formal training as a singer or an actor. I met her once, in fact, during the filming of 8 Mile. Seemed like a very sweet girl.

As for singing stars, I was once cruising the old vinyl at a record shop a few months ago and came across an album by Morgana King, who played Mama Corleone in The Godfather films. Before the Godfather, she was more famous as a jazz singer. This particular record was made POST Godfather and featured a cover of "Sunshine Of My Life". On the back cover, there's a blurb by Stevie, who claims that HER version is even better than HIS! Has anyone ever heard it?

And by the way, two more celebrities have passed this week that I was also very fond of: Alaina Reed (of Sesame Street & 227) and Arnold Stang (the voice of Top Cat, as well as co-starring in my all-time favorite movie: It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World). RIP to all.

bklyn6 said...

You too, huh, papasean? :p

I didn't listen to the entire Brittany Murphy song, but I liked what I heard.

maria said...

I saw Juliet Lewis open for Cat Power and the Pretenders. Thought it was good she had acting to fall back on.

Doctor Memory said...

Milla Jovovich has actually been doing the singing thing for at least as long as she's been acting, possibly even a bit longer. It's not my cup of tea, but she's got a passable voice.

bklyn6 said...

"Faster Kill Pussycat" grew on me quick. Bought the single at Amazon. :-D