Oscar nominated actress/musician Amy Irving is set to release her debut album “Born In A Trunk” on April 17th. The album features ten cover songs that are significant to Irving’s life and career, each expertly arranged by Jules David Bartkowski, also known as Goolis, to create a memoir-style album.
Now, she has released a video for what is likely one of many highly anticipated tracks on the album is of course “Why Don’t You Do Right,” which Irving famously sang as the voice of Jessica Rabbit in the hit film “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.” The original version of the song was written by Kansas Joe McCoy and first recorded in 1936. It has been covered by numerous artists over the years, including Peggy Lee, whose sultry rendition became a hit in the 1940s, and what was a major inspiration for the Jessica Rabbit rendition. You can grab the single at this link.
“Who Framed Roger Rabbit” is a 1988 live-action/animated film that follows the story of a cartoon rabbit accused of murder in a world where animated characters live among humans. In the film, Jessica Rabbit is the sultry wife of the film’s protagonist, Eddie Valiant, a private detective tasked with clearing Roger’s name. In one of the film’s most iconic scenes, Jessica takes the stage at a nightclub to perform “Why Don’t You Do Right,” leaving Valiant and the entire audience spellbound.
Amy Irving’s latest version of “Why Don’t You Do Right” is a departure from the original film version, as it features a faster tempo and a spirited, upbeat arrangement that’s reminiscent of the lively music scene found in the Big Easy. Irving recorded the song in the studio with an 11-piece band expertly led by Goolis, who also arranged the track. The end product is a modern take on a timeless song that embodies the rich and vibrant musical tradition of New Orleans. The song’s soulful and energetic performance is sure to enchant fans of the original film, and music lovers of all genre, as Amy bring a spicy punch to this version.
In a statement, Irving expressed her excitement about the new version of the song, telling us:
I am the singing voice of Jessica Rabbit from the movie Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Jules David Bartkowski (AKA GOOLIS) did a wonderful, very different arrangement for it…., as he did on all the songs.
In addition to the album release, Irving has two shows scheduled, the first on March 4th at Outpost In The Burbs in Montclair, NJ and the second on April 10th at City Winery. With her incredible talent and amazing career in the entertainment industry, her debut album is
both something long time fans and new listeners are sure to be in for a treat with her debut album “Born In A Trunk,”