This week marks the opening of a new film notable not only for its focus on country music but for the unveiling of a new country singer coming from unexpected quarters.
The movie? Country Strong. And the singer? None other than actress Gwyneth Paltrow.
Paltrow, whose vocal talents were already displayed in the 2000 film Duets--in which she sang "Cruisin'" with a duet partner no less that Huey Lewis of the News--acquits herself admirably in Country Strong, and has been on the receiving end of much praise from critical quarters since then.
Since her conspicuous live singing "debut" on the recent CMAs gala, Paltrow has been making a select few rounds to promote Country Strong--and among those rounds was a recent memorable visit to the Y! Music studios.
With a top-notch band of skilled veterans, Paltrow proved that as a live singer, she's eminently capable...and surprisingly good.
Having been present at hundreds of similar studio performances, this writer is pleased to note that Paltrow's session was much smoother--and much less repetitive, meaning no fluffed notes to speak of by singer or band--than most we see here.
The high-spirited session was likely boosted by the previous night's news--that one of the songs being sung, "Coming Home," had just been nominated in the Best Original Song-Motion Picture category for this year's upcoming Golden Globe Awards ceremony.
Between that song and Country Strong's title track, Paltrow's performance wowed studio onlookers and proved one of the year's highlights.
Following her performance, Paltrow spent some time being grilled about her role in Country Strong and offered up some warm and gracious opinions, which you can see for yourself below.
Bottom line? If the Academy Award-winning actress ever gets tired of the Hollywood game, a successful recording career might be hers for the asking!