Music has been present in Hugh Laurie’s career in some form or another since the days of Fry & Laurie, even working its way into House, the American television series that turned him into an international star in the 2000s. Without House, Laurie would never have been granted the opportunity to record an album like 2011’s Let Them Talk, a full-blooded immersion into American blues via New Orleans, shepherded by acclaimed roots producer Joe Henry and featuring such Big Easy heavy-hitters as Allen Toussaint, Dr. John, and Irma Thomas. To his enormous credit, Laurie never sounds like a dilettante among this group; he holds his own, working his way into the marrow of the songs, playing credible piano throughout the record.
Best known for his work with Ultravox and as a co-founder writer/founder of Band Aid’s ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas’, Midge Ure has also had a rich and illustrious career prior to Ultravox with the Rich Kids, Visage and throughout his career as a solo artist. Chrysalis Records are releasing a new 32-song collection, encompassing four decades of Midge Ure’s rich and varied career. This 2CD/1DVD is presented with double-gatefold card sleeves, a 20-page booklet with track notes by Midge and housed in a clamshell box. It features promo videos including the Rich Kids, through to his solo work and various collaborations. Bonus features include documentaries and additional live and video clips. As a special bonus, Midge has recorded a commentary over the promo videos. Midge Ure will be on a world tour from October – beginning with a full UK tour, then moving to Poland, Germany, Holland, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand and North America.