Randy Newman - Harps & Angels
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Free Music Notes for Harps & Angels
Free Music Review: Welcome Back, Randy
Hit: 4 Stars
For lifelong Newman fans like myself who have been following his career since his debut in the mid-'60s, this album comes as a welcome surprise. With the release of the overproduced Trouble In Paradise in 1983, I had the opportunity to ask Newman what he thought of those of us who just wanted to hear him play and sing. His reply was pure industry: "There are people who say I shouldn't do rock 'n' roll, but I got to. If I don't change, it wouldn't interest me. I'd go do something else." What he went and did in fact was create some of modern Hollywood's most impressive film scores, and a few career-making hit title songs, culminating in a long-awaited Oscar for his work on Monsters, Inc. With Harps & Angels, Newman (now 64) harkens back to his old New Orleans roots with a tastefully produced album consisting of trio backed by orchestra. This is the Newman we all know and love from the early albums 12 Songs, Live, Sail Away, and Good Ol Boys. While many artists are insulted when they hear fans whine about the good ol days of their careers and lament the new growth, I think it's different with Newman. When I asked him how best he felt he performed he replied: "I've done it all three ways; with a band, with an orchestra, and by myself. I think it's best by myself." I almost agree. In my opinion, this album's ensemble brings back a Newman we have long known and missed. Welcome back, Randy.Free Music Review: Short and sweet
Hit: 4 Stars
I had to buy this new album as he's bound to play some of the songs at his only gig at the Royal Festival Hall in the UK in November. As always with Randy Newman theres a lot thats worth listening to here. On first listen its not an easy album to get to grips with. The orchestrations and arrangements (by RN) are full-on and to some degree make it difficult to listen to the all important lyrics. However after that first listen you will be caught up in the strange world of Randy Newman, and the arrangements add to the album as a whole, giving it a different sound and feel to from his other albums.
Quite a few songs have the standard Randy Newman Piano shuffle and overall I felt there was more of New Orleans feel to this album. Lyrically its everything you'd expect from the man, i.e. completely unpredictable. Funny, satirical, moving, he switches from one to other without pause.
Its not quite as good as Bad Love or some of his earlier classic albums (Sail Away etc) and it is pretty short at 35mins, so I couldn't give it five stars. However don't be put off its still Randy Newman, which means its better than most new music out there, and its still highly recommended.
Free Music Review: Only Jackson Browne Cares? Bono's Never Around!
Hit: 4 Stars
This album is full of strong feelings, and yet I continue to listen to it repeatedly. Good music can be thought provoking too. It's a love-hate kind of relationship.
Randy Newman's satire is equal opportunity. He makes fun of our past and present leaders in the US and other countries, of elitism, of music industry liberals out to save the world, of himself. That is what free speech is all about, and it makes America great, even if our "empire" appears to be in decline.
Other reviewers have been kind to point out that a couple of the songs are recycled from earlier works, and this does not detract from the album.
My interest in Randy Newman's music was recently renewed by hearing the song that is used during the opening credits of the TV show "Monk". I then found the album at Circuit City during their liquidation sale, which added a little irony to the purchase.
Free Music Review: "At the Texaco-oo-ooo"
Hit: 4 Stars
When you here that sing-talk on "Harps and Angels" you know that Newman is starting this one off with one of wild little stories that he does better than anyone else. A dying man is given another chance, but unlike most Newman's characters of old, this one takes the advice to heart and actually plans to change his life. Maybe Newman's mellowing with age. Nah...he's still the sarcastic curmudgeon he's always been. Listen to "A Few Words in Defense of Our Country" where he compares America's leadership to Hitler, Stalin and The Spanish Inquisition just to show that America's not so bad. Even Scalia, Alito and Thomas of the Supreme Court take a hit. How often does that happen in music lately?
Free Music Review: Not Sail Away or Good Ol Boys, but...
Hit: 4 Stars
Very much like what I have loved in Randy Newman for all of these past 35 years or so. WONDERFUL quirkiness; fabulous orchestration; words that say something; absolute genius COMPOSING. Newman, is, at heart, not a 'songwriter'; he is a composer. If you don't like actual compositions, leading to sometimes lush and sometimes a little wierd music, don't listen. Randy is not your Top 40 (or whatevertheheck they call it these days...Top Crap probably says it best) tune guy. He knows his craft, and he really knows himself and the world around him. And, I love it that he can still put out something of this quality.