Bill Murray Covers Tom Waits In Upcoming Concert Film
Bill Murray has covered songs by Tom Waits and Van Morrison in an upcoming concert film, coming to cinemas across the UK from 2 February (which is, of course, Groundhog Day – a notable day for Murray). New Worlds: The Cradle Of Civilization is a one-of-a kind performance from one of the most beloved comic actors in history. Filmed at the historic Acropolis in Athens, Greece in June 2018, the film is directed by Andrew Muscato, and captures Murray’s first real music project of his varied and incredible career. Tickets are available HERE.
A new clip has been released from the show, of Murray covering Tom Wait’s humorous The Piano Has Been Drinking in his own imitable style.
The notably eclectic show, conceived by Murray and Vogler, features a blend of classical music, rock, jazz, poetry and literature. Murray reads and sings throughout the film with music performed by the ensemble; all tied together with the wit, humour, and deadpan sincerity that Golden Globe and BAFTA award-winner Murray is known for. The show features world renowned cellist Jan Vogler, violinist Mira Wang and pianist Vanessa Perez.
By way of songs by the likes of Tom Waits, Van Morrison, George Gershwin, and Leonard Bernstein, pieces by Bach and Schubert, and poetry and literature by Walt Whitman, Lucille Clifton, and James Fenimore Cooper; Murray and the ensemble journey through a range of art tied together by themes of American and European identity and history on the 2,000 year old stage of the Odeon of Herodes Atticus.
The performance, left the 3,000 people in the Athenian audience both moved and laughing, and came at the finale of a tour Murray and his collaborators embarked upon following their collaboration on the 2017 album, New Worlds. The Times commented on the London Royal Festival Hall performance of the tour that Murray “…delivered a masterclass in physical humour.”
The New Worlds project began after a chance meeting that reads like something from a Bill Murray film. Murray and Vogler met on an airplane – the comedian was amused that Vogler’s cello was taking up the window seat. A friendship was struck up, leading to this collaboration, which seeks to explore the relationship between seemingly disparate works of art fron Europe and the United States.
Of the collaboration, Bill Murray said: “I rode the perfect wave of three wondrous musicians.”