Tim Robbins and the Rogues Gallery Band
“Book of Josie”
Playing Tuesday at Le Poisson Rouge (158 Bleecker St., Greenwich Village)
Get: Tickets ($25)| Directions

More than a few famous actors have released Americana albums in the last decade. Billy Bob Thornton put out a string of albums starting in 2001. Then, Steve Martin released his first bluegrass banjo record in 2009. And earlier this month, Oscar-winning actor and director Tim Robbins had the U.S. release of his first album, the self-titled Tim Robbins and the Rogues Gallery Band.

As it happens, folk music is something of a family business. Robbins' father, Gilbert Robbins, was a member of the famous ‘60s folk band The Highwaymen, and later a manger for the West Village folk venue The Gaslight Cafe.

While certain celeb music ventures can be disastrous mistakes (see: Keanu Reeves’ Dogstar), that’s thankfully not the case here. Nobody would call Robbins an accomplished singer, but the music is thoughtfully written and touchingly performed.

Things get spiritual with this song, “Book of Josie,” in which Robbins re-imagines the relationship of Jesus and Mary Magdalene based on revelations from the so-called “Gnostic Gospels.” Download the track above.