Reversing the trend whereby singers aspire to be actors, 14 movie and TV thespians have recorded cover versions for Unexpected Dreams: Songs from the Stars, an album to benefit music education programmes organised by the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Set for US release next month, the CD features Ewan McGregor, who sang several songs in Moulin Rouge, performing Sade's The Sweetest Gift, and Scarlett Johansson warbling the Gershwin classic Summertime.

It also includes John C Reilly performing Lullaby in Ragtime, Jeremy Irons on Bob Dylan's To Make You Feel My Love, and My Big Fat Greek Wedding star Nia Vardalos with Lennon-McCartney's Golden Slumbers. Among the TV glitterati are Jennifer Garner from Alias singing My Heart Is So Full of You; former Seinfeld star Julia Louis-Dreyfus warbling The Nightshift; Will & Grace's Eric McCormack on Elton John's The Greatest Discovery; and Desperate Housewife Teri Hatcher doing another Beatles song, Goodnight.