Actress Scarlett Johansson says Tom Waits has given the thumbs-up
to her debut album, which features covers of 10 tunes written by
the notoriously persnickety musician.
"Anywhere I Lay My Head" will be released May 20 via Atco/Rhino.
David Bowie, whom Johansson met a party just prior to beginning
work on the album, lends his distinctive vocals to the tracks
"Falling Down" and "Fannin' Street," while Yeah Yeah Yeahs
guitarist Nick Zinner and members of the band Celebration
contribute throughout. The album was produced by Dave Sitek of the
New York rock band TV On The Radio.
The album also boasts one original tune, "Song for Jo."
Johansson said she initially considered making an album of
standards, but the project slowly morphed into a Waits-dominated
affair. "His melodies are so beautiful and his voice is so
distinct," she said at a news conference Tuesday.
"I sent him some of the early, early recordings, and he said,
'Go ahead,"' she added. "I've heard he's very pleased."
There are no plans for Johansson to perform live in support of
the project, but she says she'd be intrigued by "getting everybody
together," perhaps at a festival, at some point in the future. "It
would be a missed opportunity not to."
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(CRI/Agencies February 14, 2008)
