Crowe to fly solo

March 23, 2005 - 6:43PM

Russell Crowe is reportedly busy recording a solo album after the Oscar winner's latest film project, Eucalyptus, was canned.

A website for Crowe fans is displaying a letter it says was penned by the actor in which he tells of his plans for a solo album, raising questions over the future of his band, Thirty Odd Foot of Grunts.

The demise in February of Eucalyptus, which Crowe was supposed to be mid-way through filming with fellow Oscar winner Nicole Kidman, had given him the time to focus on a solo album, the letter said.

"I've taken the opportunity that the postponement of Eucalyptus gave me and I've poured my heart into songs instead," the 40-year-old told the Maximum Crowe website.

"What you possibly won't be pleased about, nor understand fully until you hear this record, is that Thirty Odd Foot of Grunts would seem to have dissolved/evolved.

"While that holds certain disappointments, they pale in comparison to the joy of writing unrestricted, of talking from my heart and mind simultaneously about things that are important to me."

Crowe's spokeswoman could not confirm either the album plans, or the band's demise.

The letter said Crowe's debut solo single, Raewyn, would be released on April 19.

It also said Crowe's album - My Hand, My Heart - would feature a selection of songs the actor had written and co-wrote, including a choral piece written in Dublin on a beer coaster after the funeral of a friend, veteran actor Richard Harris.

"The album touches on varying subjects, my beautiful wife, past relationships, my son, people I know, family tragedy, immigrant cane cutters, vilification, a choral requiem for a dead friend, my contribution to the genre of drinking songs, optimism, and perspective," Crowe wrote.

To his fans that may not understand the crossover to music, Crowe wrote that his music was "its own reward".

"I know over time there have been a lot of fans who don't seem to understand that fitting the music in and around my day job is very tricky," Crowe wrote.

"Anyone else's enjoyment of it is purely an extension of the experience I've already had as a writer.

"I'm not out to foist my music on anyone."

Crowe's only film commitments confirmed this year involve promotional work for Cinderella Man, which he shot in Canada last year.

And Crowe, who is married to fellow singer Danielle Spencer, hinted at plans to embark on a solo music tour.

"There is no real master plan for world domination, if you guys like the record we will do our best to tour in the summer," he wrote.



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