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Anywhere I Lay My Head | 
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| Artist: Scarlett Johansson
Label: Warner
Category: Music
List Price: £11.99
Buy New: £6.02
You Save: £5.97 (50%)
New (38) Used (2) from £6.01
Avg. Customer Rating:  17 reviews
Sales Rank: 2680
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
UPC: 081227992583
EAN: 0081227992583
ASIN: B001713CMY
Release Date: May 19, 2008
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: BRAND NEW - Sealed IMPORT!! -
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| Tracks:
| » | Fawn | | » | Town With No Cheer | | » | Falling Down | | » | Anywhere I Lay My Head | | » | Fannin Street | | » | Song For Jo | | » | Green Grass | | » | I Wish I Was In New Orleans | | » | I Don't Wanna Grow Up | | » | No One Knows I'm Gone | | » | Who Are You |
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| Customer Reviews: Read 12 more reviews...
A pleasant surprise June 28, 2008
I wasn't sure at all what to expect from Scarlett Johansson musically. I do remember her singing very briefly in The Other Boleyn Girl but I knew that couldn't be definitive of her singing style. And I was right. In all honesty I'm finding it quite difficult to review this album as I still can't figure out what to think. One thing is for sure: it is pointless to make any comparisons with Tom Waits as the whole point of covering Tom Waits is to reflect your own interpretation. During the first listen, I found myself trying to understand whether it really was Scarlett singing. I did not imagine for her to have such an alto voice. But it seems to fit perfectly with the songs she has chosen. The highlights are "Falling Down", "Anywhere I Lay My Head", "Fannin' Street", "I Wish I Was in New Orleans" and "I Don't Want to Grow Up". I even like the original song "Song for Jo". It's clear that she doesn't have the pipes to pull a Mariah or Whitney song, but I never thought that singing should be about vocal power, but expression, heartfelt interpretation and an insight to the singer's soul. I think Scarlett has definitely fulfilled those requirements with this debut album. And let's not forget that this definitely is more the producer's than the singer's album. But their chemistry seems to shine throughout. Seeing how each song is growing on me more and more by each listen, this album can't possibly be a failure. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who needs something different, something refreshing, something new.
 For David Bowie Fans Only. June 20, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
To be honest I couldn't give a monkey's knacker about Scarlett Whats-her-name, but bought this album for the mere fact David Bowie is featured on two tracks.
Mmmmmm "featured" is a bit of an overstatement. He is so far down the mix and has virtually nothing to do, it is hardly worthy to have his name associated with it.
Further I know little about Tom Waits, so can't really comment on the individuality of the album.
Overall, it is a very missable CD, and those expecting brilliance from Bowie, like on the excellent Mick Ronson LP's, and the various "show ups" he has done throughout his career on various albums, will be sorely disappointed.
But no doubt if you are like me, a Bowie completist, it will sit in your collection for ever and a day.
At least he is doing something I guess.
 Beautiful! Sublime! June 10, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I don't know anything about Scarlett Johansson as an actress and don't recall seeing any films with her in, but I do know that I love this recording! It is so soothing to listen to, so relaxing and laid back. Also quite wistful and haunting in a very beautiful way. The notes in the booklet inside the CD say that it was recorded in hot lazy days and this is conveyed in the songs. Though the first 'song' on the album isn't technically a song at all but an instrumental piece of music, or soundscape, as it is more to listen to and hasn't got what one could call a tune as such. The rest of the album is devoted to Scarlett singing intertwined within the music itself, which, if anyone had bothered to read the notes supplied with the cd, would realise that this was the intention; to have her voice included inside the music, rather than sitting on top of it and outside of it. The songs are relaxing and mellow to listen to, very laid back and some almost ethereal, very chilled, making it a good chill-out album for drifting off into a reverie or could even be used as peaceful and comforting lullaby music, especially the wonderful track entitled "I Wish I Was in New Orleans", this is accompanied solely by a musical box arrangement and is so beautiful to listen to and my favourite track on the album, though every track is good to hear. If this had been by some obscure indie outfit instead of by a famous and glamorous actress then it would no doubt be lauded and applauded for its originality and feel-good vibes, but the sniping remarks from some quarters seem more like bitchiness directed at Scarlett herself because of who she is, and as I said already, I don't recall seeing any movie with her in, so have no idea what her qualities as an actress are, I only know about what I have heard of her on this recording. Her voice on these songs is beautiful, and far more suited to relaxing, soothing, lullaby music than some of the singers who put out lullaby albums and get praised to the heavens for it, when their voices are really far too high and sharp and shrill to be considered really proficient at performing lullabies, (Susie Tallman springs to mind here, whose voice is extremely high pitched and sharp, yet considered great at lullabies for children, when the reality is that listening to Tallman's voice would jolt anyone wide awake with its shrillness). I'd love to hear Scarlett perform some lullabies on an album devoted entirely to them. The "Wish I Was in New Orleans" song, with its beautiful music box tinkling accompanying her voice, is the kind of theme that would lend itself wonderfully to the sort of thing I have in mind. Perhaps the lady herself may even think about it if she sees this, and I'd like to thank the World Service for playing that track one night, which is how I came to hear it and bought the album on the strength of that one song, and so glad I did. Quite simply, the best album I have heard in a very long time!
(Don't recall hearing anything by Tom Waits before but I guess I shall have to check him out sometime).
She can't Waits June 2, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Waits croaks and snarls
With raw attitude
(An acquired taste)
Scarlett sounds like
My stomach rumbling
Before breakfast
Thank goodness for
The safety net of
A good day job
Seriously now, it takes guts to attempt to cover the music of Tom Waits, especially when you're not previously known for your musical talent. I can't imagine why the elfin actress would have chosen Waits' songs for her debut album, and unfortunately she doesn't have the vocals to match.
Her low pitched (almost masculine) vocals are for the most part drowned out by the musical accompaniment, which on this album isn't too much of a bad thing.
On the good side, there are three tracks that aren't that bad after a second listen, and two of them are due to David Bowie's input. These are the first single "Falling Down" and track five, "Fannin Street". The third is the light hearted "I Don't Wanna Grow Up".
This is an album you may hate on the first and second listen, but the three tracks I've mentioned may eventually grow on you.
Eventually.
It's a 2 star album, but just because I like her, and applaud her bravery to take on this project, I'm bumping it up to 3.
Amanda Richards
Too Easy, Right? 3 Stars May 25, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Scarlett Johansson releasing an album? Nah, it's just to easy, right? She is basically throwing herself at the rocks below. But, so, the question is: Is this hatred fair? I'd say no and yes. When I first heard that Scarlett was going to release an album, I immediately dismissed her, which is unfair, as she is nothing like the talentless Lindsay Lohan, or the pretentious Jared Leto. It would've been so easy for her to hook up with some rapper, and make some crappy pop/r&b collaboration. So, kudos to her for being a little more original than that. Tom Waits? Tom Waits? Choosing to make a cover album of one of the worst vocalists in music history is a bold move. On the bright side, she couldn't possible be a worse vocalist than Tom. And she isn't. But, her voice is burried in the soundscape, and you rarely get to hear her voice clearly enough to make any kind of assessment of her abilities as a vocalist. The songs are haunting, and they tell a story, which she is extremely good at. "Falling Down" is a haunting piece, and "Fannin' Street" is just gorgeous. There actually isn't a bad cut on the album, and songs like "Town with No Cheer" and "Anywhere I Lay My Head" are great, but the problem is that you just don't get to hear her voice clearly enough. My advice is to give it a chance, and don't dismiss it so easily, as you might actually find a song or two you like.
Highlights: "Falling Down", "Town with No Cheer", "Fannin' Street" and "Anywhere I Lay My Head".
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