Downey to Record Album on Sony Classical

NEW YORK (AP) _ Robert Downey Jr. is moving from the big screen to the music scene. The ``Gothika'' and ``Chaplin'' star has signed an exclusive recording contract with the Sony Classical

Thursday, September 23rd 2004, 11:13 am

By: News On 6

NEW YORK (AP) _ Robert Downey Jr. is moving from the big screen to the music scene. The ``Gothika'' and ``Chaplin'' star has signed an exclusive recording contract with the Sony Classical label.

``Robert is a brilliantly gifted songwriter who writes lyrics that are wise and moving,'' Sony Classical President Peter Gelb said Wednesday in a statement. ``His burnished, smoky voice is an expressive and touching medium for the songs that he has written.''

Downey's debut CD, not yet titled, will include two covers _ ``Smile'' by Charlie Chaplin and ``Your Move'' by Yes _ and eight pop ballads written, sung and played on the piano by the actor.

Downey, 39, has written songs for three of his films (``Too Much Sun,'' ``Two Girls and a Guy'' and ``Friends & Lovers'') and sang during his 2000 stint on the TV show ``Ally McBeal.''

The debut CD is set for a Nov. 23 release.