Denzel Washington Gets Into The Soundtrack Biz

Denzel Washington has spent most of his career in the actor's seat, with the occasional trip behind the camera. With his next project he's doing all of the above and he's adding a new credit to his resume: music director/supervisor.

The Great Debaters tells the story of Melvin Tolson, a professor and debate coach at the African-American Wiley College where, in 1935, he built up a debate team that would go on to beat out Harvard University in the national championships. It falls under the category of "inspired by a true story", a genre that has gotten a little trite in the last couple of years. But Washington is keeping if fresh by trying something different with the music for the film.

Pulling together a collection of pre-1935 songs, he's handed them out to modern musicians. For example, Duke Ellington's famous "Delta Serenade"? It's covered by David Berger & The Sultans of Swing. Other artists invited to cover the classics include Alvin 'Youngblood' Hart and Sharon Jones. For the full list of songs and cover artists, check out the list below. To listen to the music, visit the movie's web site.

The soundtrack for The Great Debaters arrives in stores on December 11 and the movie hits theaters on Christmas day.

• "My Soul Is A Witness" - Alvin 'Youngblood' Hart & Sharon Jones
• "That's What My Baby Likes" - Sharon Jones, Alvin Youngblood Hart & Teenie Hodges
• "I've Got Blood In My Eyes For You" - The Carolina Chocolate Drops & Alvin 'Youngblood' Hart
• "Step It Up and Go" - Alvin 'Youngblood' Hart & Teenie Hodges
• "It's Tight Like That" - Sharon Jones, Alvin Youngblood Hart & Teenie Hodges
• "Busy Bootin'" - Alvin 'Youngblood' Hart & The Carolina Chocolate Drops
• "City Of Refuge" - Alvin 'Youngblood' Hart & The Carolina Chocolate Drops
• "Two Wings" - Alvin 'Youngblood' Hart, Sharon Jones w/Billy Rivers and the Angelic Voices of Faith
• "Delta Serenade" - David Berger & The Sultans of Swing
• "Rock n' Rye" - David Berger & The Sultans of Swing
• "Wild About That Thing" - Sharon Jones, Alvin Youngblood Hart, & Teenie Hodges
• "Nobody's Fault But Mine" - Alvin 'Youngblood' Hart & The Carolina Chocolate Drops
• "How Long Before I Change My Clothes" - Alvin 'Youngblood' Hart
• "We Shall Not Be Moved" - Sharon Jones w/Billy Rivers and the Angelic Voices of Faith
• "Up Above My Head" - Sharon Jones w/Billy Rivers and the Angelic Voices of Faith
• "The Shout" - Art Tatum
• "Begrussung" - Marian Anderson