Thursday, October 19, 2006

LePaparazzi Music Biz Update: Scarlett Johansson Record Deal in the Works


Credit:Esquire

Scarlett Johansson and Lindsay Lohan are about to have something in common.

Scarlett, I am told, has signed a deal to make her first record. “Scarlett Sings Tom Waits” is being recorded now and through the winter, with a possible release next spring from Rhino Records’ recently reactivated Atco label. The eventual release date will be coordinated with Johansson’s movie schedule.

Fear not, though. Unlike some other recent pop tarts, Scarlett — who turns 22 next month — can actually sing; she is no Paris Hilton. Also her choice of material is a tad more sophisticated. She’s making a whole album of songs by Tom Waits, one of the premier singer-songwriters in the business.

Let’s just hope the whole thing won’t get “lost in translation.” But my spies say that Scarlett has a lovely, whispery delivery that carries a tune nicely and is suited to Waits’ unusual lyrics. No word yet on the producer, but she’d be smart to listen to Rikki Lee Jones’ fine 1993 album, “Traffic in Paradise,” for inspiration.

Is this just the beginning of more young actresses jumping into the diva pool? It’s not like Paris Hilton is going to one-up Scarlett by doing a tribute to Leonard Cohen, but more reasonable ideas could include: Gwyneth Paltrow, who performs admirably in the new movie “Infamous”; Liv Tyler, who has the genes from parents Bebe Buell and Steven Tyler; and Nicole Kidman, who did have a hit in England with Robbie Williams.

And don’t count out Lindsay. Her days with Tommy Mottola may be over, but she’s only 19. A comeback is still possible.

Source: foxnews

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