Which Randy Newman CDs?

[chadbang]

What can you say about Randy? It's all good. I have all his albums. He's one of the finest and the only songwriter who can really crack me up. Gets right to the heart of the matter. So wry and so observational. There are some lines in his new piece thats on youtube "A Few Words in Defense of Our Country" that just cracks me up. I don't even know why, it's just so true and honest (and sickly human)He sings:

Take the Caesars for example
Why within the first few of them
They were sleeping with their sister
Stashing little boys in swimming pools
And burning down the City
And one of ‘em, one of 'em
Appointed his own horse Consul of the Empire
That’s like vice president or something

That’s not a very good example, is it?

But wait, here’s one, the Spanish Inquisition
They put people in a terrible position
I don’t even like to think about it

Well, sometimes I like to think about it.

That line " Well sometimes a like to think about it" just floored me. I abor the idea of torture, but, like he says. Sometimes when I'm feeling a little perverse ... I'll look up something like the Serial Killer Compendium on the web. I don't know why. A cheap thrill? Morbid curiosity? Pissy mood? But that line and the way he delivers it cracked me up.

 

[blessingx]

Definitely.

Well it's been a little over the month since this started and I still listen to something every day. I drift most often to Songbook and Guilty most, but there's no denying many of the very strong individual albums 12 Songs, Sail Away, Land of Dreams... the list could keep going.

Songbook, as BigEat said, really is a treat and a great starting point. And the per track commentary in the book in Guilty is funny as hell.

 

[chadbang]

I'm glad another Randy Newman fan has been born. I think guilty is an excellent collection. I was afraid you may have gone overboard with your initial purchase binge, but why not, I guess. It's all good. I love Randy and how rarely do you find amusing songs coupled with great songwriter.

 

[blessingx]

Well most of the list that I 'picked up' came from neighborhood libraries (Songbook is at Mtn. View and Guilty is at Sunnyvale - for those in Bay Area). Great library systems nearby so risks in casting the net wide had little downside. Ordering both above sets next paycheck and likely a few others.

 

[markl]

I saw on TV somewhere that he has a new album of originals coming out, 1st since bad Love. Can't wait for that!

 

[blessingx]

You can here the whole thing in concert recorded over at All Concerts Considered on NPR. Randy Newman Plays With 'Harps and Angels' : NPR Music