If you’ve ever cried during a computer-animated children’s film made in the last 20 or so years (go on, admit it), chances are Randy Newman made it happen. The often parodied and sometimes under-appreciated songwriter knows exactly how to create a composition with character, emotion and purpose. With a slew of Academy, Emmy, Grammy and Golden Globe Award nominations and wins, Randy Newman has one of the largest collections of timeless songs in contemporary music history.
On The Randy Newman Songbook Vol. 2, Newman takes a fresh look at both classic and more recent works in an intimate and personal environment. With nothing but a piano and his distinct voice he takes us on a trip through highlights of his entire career.
Randy’s compositions are often filled with dark themes, melancholic events, depressing characters and dreary American locations. Within one song you may hear sarcasm, sincerity, bleakness and insensitivity, the social commentary on racism featured in “Yellow Man” is a wonderful example of this.
Album highlight and classic “Baltimore” was originally received with complaints from the towns residents in 1971 due to the seedy nature of his lyrics (“Hooker on the corner, waitin’ for a train, drunk lyin’ on the sidewalk, sleepin’ in the rain”). Randy never was one for subtlety or political correctness.
“My Life Is Good” portrays a snobby and repellent upper class Beverly Hills father who is more arrogant than Kanye and Clooney combined. While “Dayton Ohio – 1903” is a wistful look at the simple, good old days in countryville, Americatown.
Despite the varying and sometimes comical subject matter of his songs, Newman’s candour, unique vocal style and commitment to his performance always keep you listening intently. There was a reason Bob Dylan said, “There aren’t many in Newman’s class.”
Songbook Vol. 2 is no simple rehash, nor is it a greedy attempt at a quick buck in the guise of a ‘best of.’ These re-arranged and unplugged performances show an artist at his most comfortable. They provide amazing insight into the song writing genius and craftsmanship that Randy Newman is so widely appreciated for.
