An esteemed actor known for his naturalness in off-beat roles, John Corbett accepts that his first album will be met with excitement by some, skepticism by others. He wants both camps to put aside preconceptions—and put on the music.
As an actor, Corbett’s always brought an easy grace to his roles, whether it’s in the acclaimed TV series Sex and the City and Northern Exposure or in the hit films My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Raising Helen.His music carries the same natural, down-to-earth spirit—only this is not role-playing.
“Music has always been central to my life, much more so than acting,” he says. “Acting is how I make my living. Music has always been a passion—it’s something I love, something I can’t live without.”
How serious is he about being a musician? “When I was on the set of my last movie, the whole time I was there, all I wanted to do was get back to making music. I wanted to be working up a new song with my band. I wanted to be in the studio laying down tracks. I wanted to be with my guys on stage, rocking the house.”
Recorded in Nashville, Corbett’s self-titled debut blends concise, straightforward Nashville song craft with tight, combustive Southern rock arrangements that allow his fiery band to stretch out. His material—written by top songwriters like Hal Ketchum, Jon Randall, Darrell Scott, Tim Nicoles, Rivers Rutheford, Bernie Taupin and Mark Selby—takes country music’s earthy emotionalism and gives it a rowdy, rocking kick.
The album was recorded in Nashville with producer D. Scott Miller and Corbett’s longtime musical partner, Tara Novick. “The beautiful thing is that it was just me and a real basic band playing it live in the studio,” he says. “We wanted it to sound in the moment and not too polished or fussed over. We wanted that raw emotion you get the first time you play a song you love.”
The musicians come from a mix of country and rock backgrounds, with Black Crowes’ drummer Steve Gorman and Music City bassist Mike Brignardello laying down a steel-belted rhythm behind guitarists Kenny Vaughan and Pat Buchanan, keyboardist Mike Rojas and steel guitarist Mike Johnson. Harmony vocalists include Sara Buxton and veteran soul-shouter Jimmy Hall, former lead singer of Southern rock ‘n’ soul greats Wet Willie.
Tags: Music
