Rhino Records brought us the classic Golden Throats compilations, which featured actors singing, even when they shouldn’t be. Rather than wait a few decades for enough material to create a new Golden Throats, the good people at Rhino have gone and created Unexpected Dreams, a compilation CD of actors singing soothing lullabies. I have heard it, and it is amazing. Here’s the official press release and track listing:
Who wouldn’t want Hollywood’s biggest stars to sing them to sleep? Some of the most surprising voices in Hollywood, accompanied by musicians of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, lend their talents to Unexpected Dreams: Songs from the Stars. It’s the perfect soundtrack for quiet evenings at home, with your children…or without them.
The CD features 14 spellbinding tunes by composers including Elton John, Billy Joel, Sade, Bob Dylan and Lennon/McCartney, beautifully sung and lushly orchestrated. A portion of the proceeds will benefit “Music Matters,” the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s music education programs.
Unexpected Dreams: Songs from the Stars includes the following tracks:
Scarlett Johansson – “Summertime” (George & Ira Gershwin)
Ewan McGregor – “The Sweetest Gift” (Sade)
Taraji P. Henson – “In My Daughter’s Eyes” (James T. Slater)
Jennifer Garner – “My Heart Is So Full of You” (Frank Loesser)
Jeremy Irons – “To Make You Feel My Love” (Bob Dylan)
John Stamos – “Goodnight My Angel” (Billy Joel)
Lucy Lawless – “Little Child” (Eric Vetro/Alan Rich)
Marissa Jaret Winokur – “The Wish Song” (Eric Vetro/Steven Shore)
Eric McCormack – “The Greatest Discovery” (Elton John/Bernie Taupin)
Victor Garber – “No One Is Alone” (Stephen Sondheim)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus – “The Nightshift” (Brad Hall)
Nia Vardalos – “Golden Slumbers” (John Lennon/Paul McCartney)
John C. Reilly – “Lullaby In Ragtime” (Sylvia Fine)
Teri Hatcher – “Goodnight” (John Lennon/Paul McCartney)
Just the juxtaposition of “Jeremy Irons” and “To Make You Feel My Love” gives me some Dead Ringers tinglies.
We have a couple of copies of this to give away. You want one? All you have to do is send me your name, mailing address and tell me what current non-singing star you would like to see cut an album. You have to list at least three cover songs that would be hilarious for this star to sing. Email your entry to devin@chud.com with DREAMS in the subject line.