Actors and actresses going to sing: that's not always a good idea. Hollywood stars like Billy Bob Thornton and Scarlett Johansson, for example, will not exactly be remembered for their hobbyistic musical forays. Actor Tim Robbins seemed to be aware of the pitfalls and surrounded himself as a precaution with very strong staff. He chose producer Hal Willner (Marianne Faithfull, Lucinda Williams) and
… accompanists such as pianist Roger Eno and singer Joan Wasser (Joan As A Policewoman). Robbins moves on his debut album in the americana genre, with self-written, narrative songs in which Bob Dylan especially resonates. He has a pleasantly dark and slightly vibrating voice and Willner ensured that the predominantly acoustic accompaniment continues to rattle nicely and thus retains a spontaneous feeling. But Robbins remains an actor who, for example, sings exaggeratedly in Dreams and therefore lives with incredible experience. He tries his best but lacks the authenticity of Dylan, Cash, Nelson and other American originals that he looks up to audibly. (MR)more
