A Taste:

Van Morrison, Ray LaMontagne

Jason Segel has got rhythm. That’s instantly apparent from his impeccable comedic delivery in the raucously hilarious, I Love You, Man.

“I think comedy is very musical,” the actor explains. “There’s a rhythm to it—especially in a buddy comedy. It’s about leaving moments open for the other actor and coming in strong when it’s your turn. There is a very musical element to it.”

Jason and Paul Rudd’s performances simply sing in I Love You, Man. The film follows Peter Klaven (Rudd), a friendless real estate agent who needs to find a best man before his wedding. Segel’s Sidney Fife is the man for the gig. The film is musical even beyond the actors’ sizzling rhythms with power-prog trio Rush making a hilarious cameo.

Paul and Jason got a chance to rock out in the movie too, covering “Tom Sawyer” in Sidney’s “Man-cave.” About their on-screen jamming, Segel laughs, “Paul sounded amazing. I sounded horrible. My guitar is almost entirely dubbed [Laughs]. Paul really learned to ’slappa de bass’ [Laughs].”

However, the Rush show in the movie wasn’t real. “It was a fake Rush show; they just played ‘Limelight’ over and over again on a loop. I had to dance for ten hours. I’m not going to lie to you, I don’t love exercise [Laughs]. It’s not my favorite thing. That was the one scene I was nervous about [Laughs].”

He nailed the dancing though, and Justin Timberlake may want to watch out.

Jason was cool enough to share his personal playlist with ARTISTdirect.com in this exclusive feature. Check it out below and catch I Love You, Man in theaters this Friday.

Jason Segel’s Playlist:

1. Van Morrison – Astral Weeks Live At the Hollywood Bowl

“I’m a Van Morrison man. To me, he’s the best. I went to Astral Weeks Live at the Hollywood Bowl both nights. That album is incredible.”

2. Ray LaMontagne — Gossip in the Grain

“I like all kinds of music. I’m a musician so I enjoy music in general. I’ve been loving the new Ray LaMontagne. I’m really a singer-songwriter kind of guy.”

3. Forgetting Sarah Marshall — Soundtrack

“I compose music for movies a lot, so my music encompasses all sorts of different styles. I’m writing some music for Get ‘Em to the Greek, and I wrote most of the music for Forgetting Sarah Marshall. I had to write big rock songs for Russell Brand and the weird Dracula rock songs for my character. I don’t really have a particular style; I just go with it.”

—Rick Florino
03.16.09