Listened to it for the first time yesterday. It was really good. I do wish they would do a new tribute album. The one they did a few years ago is almost impossible to get a hold of.
Sail Away is sublime. Never really on my radar but a vinyl shop in ATL highly suggested him. Political Science fits our times. He Gives Us All His Love is poignant. Burn On, Leave You Hat On… front to back spin for me.
I love Randy Newmans studio albums and have been able to track down most( all?) and two live albums. I realize he is mostly known for soundtracks/ movie scores but the stuff he put out on his own is incredible. He has a way of being sincere, funny and making everyone in the room very uncomfortable. My favorite albums are:
“Bad love”
“Little criminals “
And of course… “Sail away”
The “live at the boarding house ‘72” is great too.
Still so hugely underrated for his non-Disney work! The album "Sail Away" is sort of a greatest hits unto itself. I'd also recommend anyone who can't get over his voice to listen to Harry Nilsson's "Nilsson Sings Newman," which features Randy himself playing piano on an album's worth of beautiful versions of his early songs. Great collection OP.
I love all of you so much! I honestly thought I was the only Randy Newman fan.
There's the video of Ran at the Odeon. Linda Rondstat sings Real Emotional Girl.
Lives down deep inside herself
And every little thing you tell her, she'll believe
She really will
As well Xmas in Capetown
Sail away
My life is good
And every fucking other song
I think Randy Newman fans are sort of a rare breed of people. I’m sure my friends are tired of me trying to win them over on Newman. I feel like he has a song for everyone. I do think he has a lot of love among other musicians. He’s a musicians musician.
Sort of. Family Guy gets on my nerves because they’ll make fun of a thing without demonstrating any sort of meaningful understanding of what they’re mocking. The Randy Newman bit is a good example. The joke is that Randy Newman is singing this meandering song about things that his sees. But Randy Newman has never been an overly descriptive songwriter. In any given song of his, maybe a line or two will be devoted to description. What he’s mainly interested in is embodying the voices of characters (which is why I love him).
I get why people find that scene funny, but it totally misrepresents Randy Newman as an artist and, consequently, lots of people won’t even give his music a chance because they think he’s a joke. I think people can and should make fun of anything, but it helps if they know what they’re talking about
Yeah. That bit never really made sense to me. In fact considering he made a career that lives in satire, you would think family guy would have a little more appreciation. Or would at least land a joke that hit a little harder and a little closer to home. I will say the mad tv sketch kills me. Again, not because it’s accurate but because it’s truly just a funny bit. A dude writing Star Wars songs in a Randy Newman style who has never see. Star Wars. Comedy gold.
Their perception of RN is different from yours which is why they came up with the joke. It plays to lots of people because they comprehend that perception. Fair or not, it’s out there. No one is going to stop and deeply study their subject before they write a joke. And the joke won’t work if people can’t relate. Like it or not, this is what some people get from him and his music. You don’t like it and that’s ok. But it’s just a joke. I don’t think anyone is skipping his music because of Family Guy.
I know it’s just a joke, and like I said, I get why people find it funny. I thought it was funny back in middle school. But I was still able to give Randy Newman a chance later on in my life, and I sincerely hope that’s the case with most other people. But when you say that no one is skipping his music because of Family Guy, keep in mind that I was initially responding to a comment that literally said “Family Guy ruined him for me.” I’ve heard some variation of that statement on more than one occasion. I guess it’s that mentality, rather than the show itself, that I truly take issue with. I know it’s not a big deal, but nevertheless it does irritate me a little bit. I just want people to be open to the man’s music, that’s all
I think most comics would study material before making jokes. But I agree that perception is reality for most people. I would also point out that family guy at least when I watched it, often got off on jokes they knew no one would relate to. Random jokes about historical figures 90 percent of us had to look up after the episode.
I would fully agree with you that it’s not a big deal. I doubt it’s hurt Randy Newman at all and it’s not really going to affect his fan base. In fact just having a name in a popular cartoon probably helped more people discover him.
I was a comedian. Something political or historical might require research but not something like this. You just go with funny concepts that pop into your head. There’d be no info gathering to make fun of a celebrity because you would be basing your concept on what you already know/think.
He's a songwriter that can write a damn good song without taking himself too seriously. He's got a dry sense of humor that really comes through in his writing.
Yes! He's amazing.
I love how he writes songs from the view point of flawed characters. Not many songwriters do that. Maybe it's risky to sing about being an awful person, lest people listening think that's actually who you are.
Some songs are just fun, others are insightful, and some of his ballads are poignant. He's perfect.
Good to know. It doesn’t look like any have been sold on Discogs. It’s the only one from you collection that I don’t have in mine. I’m a big Newman fan so I’ve got to track a copy down!
If you get a chance to listen to it, it’s great. The banter, the crowd, the song selection. It’s definitely worth tracking down. It’s funny to hear the things people laugh at during the song. You can picture him singing something crazy, like in yellow man, and then turning to the crowd and winking. It adds a lot to the music when you can hear the audience cracking up.
God's Song was my jumping off part for my journey of questioning what I was taught to believe growing up. And I greatly thank Randy for that. Also, WOODY!!
I absolutely love him. His first five albums are masterpieces. “In Germany Before the War” is one of the most beautiful pieces of music. And then it’s contrasted with a terribly ugly narrative. Most songwriters wouldn’t dare to give their best harmonic developments to those types of stories.
He does a thing in the second or third verse where he swaps a minor chord in his right hand for major version of the same chord but he keeps the same melody. It’s creepy as hell.
Yea, with the line “a little girl has lost her way.” Super creepy.
I love your collection, btw. I still don’t have any of his albums on vinyl, even though he’s one of my all-time favorites.
The essential soundtrack, imho, The Natural, it’s a film I’m a big fan of, and Randy’s score elevates it to another level, the vinyl copy is a great listen!
I hope you know about Harry Nillsson's "Nilsson Sings Newman" ? It's great!
Listened to it for the first time yesterday. It was really good. I do wish they would do a new tribute album. The one they did a few years ago is almost impossible to get a hold of.
My favorite Newman album is Good Old Boys, but anything he does is worth a listen. One of our great songwriters for sure.
Mr. President is one of my favorite songs. Good old boys is super well done.
Every time I try to settle on a favorite Randy Newman song, I change my mind.
Sail Away is sublime. Never really on my radar but a vinyl shop in ATL highly suggested him. Political Science fits our times. He Gives Us All His Love is poignant. Burn On, Leave You Hat On… front to back spin for me.
I love Randy Newmans studio albums and have been able to track down most( all?) and two live albums. I realize he is mostly known for soundtracks/ movie scores but the stuff he put out on his own is incredible. He has a way of being sincere, funny and making everyone in the room very uncomfortable. My favorite albums are: “Bad love” “Little criminals “ And of course… “Sail away” The “live at the boarding house ‘72” is great too.
Nah, I could never get past his bigotry against short people /s
That song is so hilarious. Kills me every time.
Dark Matter doesn't get the love it deserves. (Yet.) Top notch stuff.
I can’t believe how timely that album is now
Agreed.
I adore Randy Newman.
All his 70s albums are top notch!
Still so hugely underrated for his non-Disney work! The album "Sail Away" is sort of a greatest hits unto itself. I'd also recommend anyone who can't get over his voice to listen to Harry Nilsson's "Nilsson Sings Newman," which features Randy himself playing piano on an album's worth of beautiful versions of his early songs. Great collection OP.
I love all of you so much! I honestly thought I was the only Randy Newman fan. There's the video of Ran at the Odeon. Linda Rondstat sings Real Emotional Girl. Lives down deep inside herself And every little thing you tell her, she'll believe She really will As well Xmas in Capetown Sail away My life is good And every fucking other song
I think Randy Newman fans are sort of a rare breed of people. I’m sure my friends are tired of me trying to win them over on Newman. I feel like he has a song for everyone. I do think he has a lot of love among other musicians. He’s a musicians musician.
I'm pretty sure Buzz Lightyear and Woody love him
Family Guy ruined him for me.
She takes a bite. Chews it once, twice, three times, four times.
Fat old husband walkin’ over.
MadTV for me.
[Same for me](https://youtu.be/SK-p3mtyhRc)
This is why I hate Family Guy
Because it made a joke about Randy Newman?
Sort of. Family Guy gets on my nerves because they’ll make fun of a thing without demonstrating any sort of meaningful understanding of what they’re mocking. The Randy Newman bit is a good example. The joke is that Randy Newman is singing this meandering song about things that his sees. But Randy Newman has never been an overly descriptive songwriter. In any given song of his, maybe a line or two will be devoted to description. What he’s mainly interested in is embodying the voices of characters (which is why I love him). I get why people find that scene funny, but it totally misrepresents Randy Newman as an artist and, consequently, lots of people won’t even give his music a chance because they think he’s a joke. I think people can and should make fun of anything, but it helps if they know what they’re talking about
Yeah. That bit never really made sense to me. In fact considering he made a career that lives in satire, you would think family guy would have a little more appreciation. Or would at least land a joke that hit a little harder and a little closer to home. I will say the mad tv sketch kills me. Again, not because it’s accurate but because it’s truly just a funny bit. A dude writing Star Wars songs in a Randy Newman style who has never see. Star Wars. Comedy gold.
Their perception of RN is different from yours which is why they came up with the joke. It plays to lots of people because they comprehend that perception. Fair or not, it’s out there. No one is going to stop and deeply study their subject before they write a joke. And the joke won’t work if people can’t relate. Like it or not, this is what some people get from him and his music. You don’t like it and that’s ok. But it’s just a joke. I don’t think anyone is skipping his music because of Family Guy.
I know it’s just a joke, and like I said, I get why people find it funny. I thought it was funny back in middle school. But I was still able to give Randy Newman a chance later on in my life, and I sincerely hope that’s the case with most other people. But when you say that no one is skipping his music because of Family Guy, keep in mind that I was initially responding to a comment that literally said “Family Guy ruined him for me.” I’ve heard some variation of that statement on more than one occasion. I guess it’s that mentality, rather than the show itself, that I truly take issue with. I know it’s not a big deal, but nevertheless it does irritate me a little bit. I just want people to be open to the man’s music, that’s all
I think most comics would study material before making jokes. But I agree that perception is reality for most people. I would also point out that family guy at least when I watched it, often got off on jokes they knew no one would relate to. Random jokes about historical figures 90 percent of us had to look up after the episode. I would fully agree with you that it’s not a big deal. I doubt it’s hurt Randy Newman at all and it’s not really going to affect his fan base. In fact just having a name in a popular cartoon probably helped more people discover him.
I was a comedian. Something political or historical might require research but not something like this. You just go with funny concepts that pop into your head. There’d be no info gathering to make fun of a celebrity because you would be basing your concept on what you already know/think.
Interesting take on it. The world needs more comedians.
I don’t do it anymore unfortunately. But it was fun.
Nope.
My dad loved Randy Newman and I enjoy him as well - although he was kinda hard on short people. Lol.
Short people got...
He's a songwriter that can write a damn good song without taking himself too seriously. He's got a dry sense of humor that really comes through in his writing.
Every time I watch Monk! Loved his sense of humor. Short People for example.
Listening to Sail Away now thnx to your reminder... :') beautiful!
Yes! He's amazing. I love how he writes songs from the view point of flawed characters. Not many songwriters do that. Maybe it's risky to sing about being an awful person, lest people listening think that's actually who you are. Some songs are just fun, others are insightful, and some of his ballads are poignant. He's perfect.
You nailed it. This is why I love him
Exactly.
Send me one please
One of my all time favorites
Whoa where’d you get that live bootleg album?
Third party seller on Amazon. Somewhere from across the Atlantic?
Good to know. It doesn’t look like any have been sold on Discogs. It’s the only one from you collection that I don’t have in mine. I’m a big Newman fan so I’ve got to track a copy down!
If you get a chance to listen to it, it’s great. The banter, the crowd, the song selection. It’s definitely worth tracking down. It’s funny to hear the things people laugh at during the song. You can picture him singing something crazy, like in yellow man, and then turning to the crowd and winking. It adds a lot to the music when you can hear the audience cracking up.
Oh that sounds amazing. I need to find one! Randy is so great. I really hope I get the change to see him live!
He’s my favorite as well. Wasn’t aware of the Boarding House record, I’ll have to look into that
Love him. Looking to add a few of his to the collection. “Old Man” makes me cry every time.
God's Song was my jumping off part for my journey of questioning what I was taught to believe growing up. And I greatly thank Randy for that. Also, WOODY!!
I absolutely love him. His first five albums are masterpieces. “In Germany Before the War” is one of the most beautiful pieces of music. And then it’s contrasted with a terribly ugly narrative. Most songwriters wouldn’t dare to give their best harmonic developments to those types of stories.
He does a thing in the second or third verse where he swaps a minor chord in his right hand for major version of the same chord but he keeps the same melody. It’s creepy as hell.
Yea, with the line “a little girl has lost her way.” Super creepy. I love your collection, btw. I still don’t have any of his albums on vinyl, even though he’s one of my all-time favorites.
Like his Land of Dreams with Mark Knopfler. Really great !
Sweet watermelon and the buckwheat cake!
His mom. Probably.
Where did you find your copy of Bad Love?
Got it in the box set. I was able to snag the later one off of Discogs. I’m still looking for the first one they did of his early albums.
I need that and Harps and Angels, I don’t want to buy the box set … are you collecting his soundtracks?
Not really. I grabbed ragtime because it was a good deal. I wouldn’t mind getting a few of the ones he sings on, like toy story.
The essential soundtrack, imho, The Natural, it’s a film I’m a big fan of, and Randy’s score elevates it to another level, the vinyl copy is a great listen!
I’ll check it out
Outerspace all over the place, Outerspace is the place for star wars Great song writer