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Didn't It Rain Image
Metascore
63

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 17 Ratings

  • Summary: Joe Henry returns as producer for the second jazz/blues release for actor-singer Hugh Laurie.
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Top Track

Unchain My Heart
Unchain my heart Baby let me be Unchain my heart 'Cause you don't care about me You've got me sowed up like a pillow case But you let my love go to... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 9
  2. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Aug 6, 2013
    70
    It’s hard to pull off this kind of stuff successfully, anyway, but it’s even harder when you have to battle the preconceptions that come with initially making your bones as an actor. Hugh Laurie overcomes all those obstacles with a collection that doesn’t reach too far beyond what it wants to do (and for that type of self-awareness alone the whole thing should be lauded).
  2. May 10, 2013
    62
    It’s surprisingly how unaffecting and mediocre most of it is.
  3. May 7, 2013
    60
    Whilst there are occasional high points, it’s best to cherry-pick the highlights from Didn’t It Rain and leave the rest.
  4. May 7, 2013
    60
    Nobody is concerned with reinterpreting the songs or surprising a listener, they just want to enjoy re-creating sounds and tunes they've loved, an attitude that's rarely alienating although it's never quite infectious, either.
  5. Mojo
    May 20, 2013
    60
    No one sounds like they are having much fun on this follow-up and his rearrangements of the classics on piano add nothing new to the songs. [Jun 2013, p.84]
  6. Aug 6, 2013
    60
    If Laurie hasn't produced something new under the sun, he nonetheless brings more light to certain dark places of the songbook than all too many American interpreters.
  7. Uncut
    May 7, 2013
    60
    Laurie reprises his well-intentioned but essentially unconvincing bluesman shtick. [Jun 2013, p.75]

See all 9 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. Jan 21, 2018
    9
    Is he really British?!
    Excellent album, can't stop playing it everywhere I am.
    Laurie was born to perform on stage. No tracks sag. He does
    Is he really British?!
    Excellent album, can't stop playing it everywhere I am.
    Laurie was born to perform on stage. No tracks sag. He does an excellent job at revisiting his favourite blues, R&B, and rock oldies, and makes me want to play piano again.
    One can feel Laurie's vitality exude from his music. He surely has his heart and mind in the right places.
    I'd definitely purchase a third album.
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  2. Apr 20, 2014
    8
    It isnt as good as "Let them Talk" album, but it is still one of the best jazz/blues in these days and it is really good hearing for people,It isnt as good as "Let them Talk" album, but it is still one of the best jazz/blues in these days and it is really good hearing for people, who dont ever listening to this kind of music Collapse
  3. Sep 26, 2014
    8
    This album is interesting, and I always enjoy listening to it. The album clings to the tenets of early Delta jazz (my favorite) and hostsThis album is interesting, and I always enjoy listening to it. The album clings to the tenets of early Delta jazz (my favorite) and hosts several great songs. Laurie shines on the piano and guitar, but tends to fall short when he chooses to sing, especially during his duets. His co-singers however (Gaby Moreno, Taj Mahal, and Jean McClain) are singularly amazing. I can always groove to most of the album, but some songs (I'm looking at you, "Didn't it Rain" and "Careless Love") bring the album to a grinding halt and seem like a chore to listen through. The backing band "makes" the feel for the album, and ultimately there are far more good songs than bad.

    Favorite songs: "Weed Smoker's Dream", "Wild Honey", and "Send me to the Lectric Chair", gotta love that soul.
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