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Post by Chippa on Oct 18, 2015 7:29:22 GMT
I sorta struggled with which album to share this time out, before finally settling on Randy Newman's 1988 album "Land of Dreams" . I'm a Randy Newman fan, and consider him to be one of America's most important songwriters, right up there with Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and Brian Wilson.
This album features contributions from Dire Straits' Mark Knopfler, Tom Petty, Heartbreaker Mike Campbell....oh, and some bearded shade-wearing guy named Jeff Lynne, who produced and played on the track Falling In Love.
"Dixie Flyer" "New Orleans Wins the War" "Four Eyes" "Falling in Love" "Something Special" "Bad News from Home" "Roll with the Punches" "Masterman and Baby J" "Red Bandana" "Follow the Flag" "It's Money That Matters" "I Want You to Hurt Like I Do"
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Post by jrmugz on Oct 18, 2015 11:47:42 GMT
Sounds very cool that I'll be checking out an artist I've always wanted to delve into more, and that Mark Knopfler, Tom Petty, and Jeff Lynne contribute to.
Will send my thoughts as the week progresses!
Jim
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Post by queenofthehours on Oct 18, 2015 14:21:02 GMT
Aah! Randy Newman. Now there's a legend. The man has written so many classics and so many became classics for other people. I can't think of I band I love that hasn't been influenced by him in some way.
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Post by unomusette on Oct 18, 2015 18:46:55 GMT
Excellent choice! It'll be a treat to explore something from Mr Newman, and to have all those illustrious people helping out makes it even more enticing
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Post by jrmugz on Oct 19, 2015 20:15:22 GMT
Playing it and really enjoying it, jotting down notes on the songs as time permits. Probably review here in a day or two.
Jim
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Post by 88keys on Oct 19, 2015 21:40:12 GMT
I only knew of Randy from the music he's done for the Toy Story films, specifically You've Got A Friend In Me, which is one of my favorite songs of all time.
This album won me over on first listen! The styles are all over the place. From the hilarious tongue-in-cheek rap parody Masterman and Baby J, to the deliciously cynical I Just Want You To Hurt Like I Do and It's Money That Matters. And two really sincere love songs in Something Special and Falling In Love.
The only bum note comes from Red Bandana, which isn't interesting on any level. It's the lone bad apple in a barrel full of greatness, however.
Rating the Songs...
The Great Falling In Love New Orleans Wins The War I Want You To Hurt Like I Do It's Money That Matters
The Good Everything else, except Red Bandana, which falls into the Bad category.
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Post by jrmugz on Oct 21, 2015 15:06:23 GMT
OK, here is my review of Randy Newman "Land of Dreams".
01. "Dixie Flyer" - Really like the simplicity of the arrangement and the effectiveness of the words. Kind of stuff I can unwind and reflect to. 02. "New Orleans Wins the War" - If anything to not like about this song, I don't have a clue. Fantastic. 03. "Four Eyes" - Strange interesting lyric, engaging soundscape. 04. "Falling in Love" - Closest thing to a standard pop song on here. Works nice. Love the reference to Christ, perhaps (?), I think this is a spiritual song in disguise. "Now you're walking in the holy land Yeah, that's you there, walking with the king You ask "What have I done to deserve this?" Well, you haven't done a thing" 05. "Something Special" - Showcases an ability for effective keyboard riffs, and good balladry. 06. "Bad News from Home" - Immediately like it once the singing starts. Good poignant lyrics. 07. "Roll with the Punches" - Nice groove, a little self-righteous on the lyrics, but hey. I don't take kindly the Democrat attitude of putting down the USA, for all the vanity they stand for. 08. "Masterman and Baby J" - Good satire of rap, a lot of fun, and good message of we should want to help people instead of the "hey look ast me" hip-hop attitude, at least that's the message I get from it. 09. "Red Bandana" - The soundtrack to the words is just so animated and engaging, really good stuff. Very cinematic. 10. "Follow the Flag" - Sounds like a polemic to try to make people ashamed of being patriotic. Nice arrangement though. 11. "It's Money That Matters" - I really have a bone to pick with songs like this that criticize the US as greedy, by Democrats who support abortion and the free-sex culture and have the nerve to talk about greed from corporations, etc. where they don't know those people from Adam, and should be thinking of it on a case by case basis, not general indictment of everyone. I know Randy Newman supported Obama. All that aside though, this is a great tune with all the right hooks, etc. Love it! 12. "I Want You to Hurt Like I Do" - I don't think the character in the song who leaves is family is really deep enough to really be thinking "I want you to hurt like I do", I think it's more like they are choosing to behave selfishly. At the same time, maybe the song could convict someone's conscience who has messed over their family like that to get their act together, so it probably serves it's purpose.
Star Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Prime Cuts: "Masterman and Baby J", "It's Money That Matters", "Bad News from Home" Bottom Line: Thoroughly engaging and entertaining Americana-style songs.
This guy is an extremely engaging artist with captivating songs. The clear vocals of his social commentary, together with and ragtime-bluesy piano arrangements, make for an irresistable combination. I thought the Monk song was a one-off style of song for him, but now I see all of his songs are just like that.
The one artist he reminds me of the most is Van Dyke Parks; it reminds me a little of the VDP album "Orange Crate Art" with Brian Wilson.
Thanks Chippa for providing me the opportunity to finally check out a Randy Newman CD, and to hear what the cat is all about.
This one was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, if we liked this one and were going to check out more of his stuff, which ones would you recommend?
Jim
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Post by jrmugz on Oct 21, 2015 15:09:20 GMT
Hey, here is a Randy Newman song that must be about ELO!
Probably has already been discussed on the forum somewhere in the past, I imagine?
Was anyone aware of this song?
They were six fine English boys
Who knew each other in Birmingham
They bought a drum and guitar
Started a rock-roll band
And Johnny played little violin
And Bobby Joe played the big violin
The one that stands on the floor
They were all in the rock-roll band
Their first song sounded like this
Please get me a witness
Please get me a witness
Right off, they needed a name
Someone said, "How 'bout the Renegades ?"
Johnny said, "Well I don't know.
I prefer E.L.O."
I love their "Mr. Blue Skies"
Almost my favorite is "Turn to Stone"
And how 'bout "Telephone Line"?
I love that E.L.O.
Jim
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Post by spike on Oct 21, 2015 16:50:06 GMT
Hey, here is a Randy Newman song that must be about ELO! Probably has already been discussed on the forum somewhere in the past, I imagine? Was anyone aware of this song? I'm sure I read somewhere many years ago that Jeff had considered this song as taking the micky and had avoided Randy Newman for years, but eventually confronted him and found out that Randy had written the song as a tribute as he really did admire ELO.
Personally I think the song is rubbish. I much prefer "You've got a friend in me"!
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Post by spike on Oct 21, 2015 17:03:24 GMT
Randy Newman - Singing about what he see's
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Post by 88keys on Oct 21, 2015 17:08:48 GMT
OK, here is my review of Randy Newman "Land of Dreams". 01. "Dixie Flyer" - Really like the simplicity of the arrangement and the effectiveness of the words. Kind of stuff I can unwind and reflect to. 02. "New Orleans Wins the War" - If anything to not like about this song, I don't have a clue. Fantastic. 03. "Four Eyes" - Strange interesting lyric, engaging soundscape. 04. "Falling in Love" - Closest thing to a standard pop song on here. Works nice. Love the reference to Christ, perhaps (?), I think this is a spiritual song in disguise. "Now you're walking in the holy land Yeah, that's you there, walking with the king You ask "What have I done to deserve this?" Well, you haven't done a thing" 05. "Something Special" - Showcases an ability for effective keyboard riffs, and good balladry. 06. "Bad News from Home" - Immediately like it once the singing starts. Good poignant lyrics. 07. "Roll with the Punches" - Nice groove, a little self-righteous on the lyrics, but hey. I don't take kindly the Democrat attitude of putting down the USA, for all the vanity they stand for. 08. "Masterman and Baby J" - Good satire of rap, a lot of fun, and good message of we should want to help people instead of the "hey look ast me" hip-hop attitude, at least that's the message I get from it. 09. "Red Bandana" - The soundtrack to the words is just so animated and engaging, really good stuff. Very cinematic. 10. "Follow the Flag" - Sounds like a polemic to try to make people ashamed of being patriotic. Nice arrangement though. 11. "It's Money That Matters" - I really have a bone to pick with songs like this that criticize the US as greedy, by Democrats who support abortion and the free-sex culture and have the nerve to talk about greed from corporations, etc. where they don't know those people from Adam, and should be thinking of it on a case by case basis, not general indictment of everyone. I know Randy Newman supported Obama. All that aside though, this is a great tune with all the right hooks, etc. Love it! 12. "I Want You to Hurt Like I Do" - I don't think the character in the song who leaves is family is really deep enough to really be thinking "I want you to hurt like I do", I think it's more like they are choosing to behave selfishly. At the same time, maybe the song could convict someone's conscience who has messed over their family like that to get their act together, so it probably serves it's purpose. Star Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Prime Cuts: "Masterman and Baby J", "It's Money That Matters", "Bad News from Home" Bottom Line: Thoroughly engaging and entertaining Americana-style songs. This guy is an extremely engaging artist with captivating songs. The clear vocals of his social commentary, together with and ragtime-bluesy piano arrangements, make for an irresistable combination. I thought the Monk song was a one-off style of song for him, but now I see all of his songs are just like that. The one artist he reminds me of the most is Van Dyke Parks; it reminds me a little of the VDP album "Orange Crate Art" with Brian Wilson. Thanks Chippa for providing me the opportunity to finally check out a Randy Newman CD, and to hear what the cat is all about. This one was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, if we liked this one and were going to check out more of his stuff, which ones would you recommend? Jim Jim, do you really need to expound your political and religious views on nearly every review? I mean, I'm an atheist liberal (or libtard, as people like you call it) and I rarely give my religious and political views on here. But since you started it, It's Money That Matters is a commentary on the greed and selfishness that seemed to encapsulate the 80's. I think it was targeted at those horrible yuppies and their self-centeredness, rather than 'Merica as whole.
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Post by jrmugz on Oct 21, 2015 17:10:28 GMT
Hey, here is a Randy Newman song that must be about ELO! Probably has already been discussed on the forum somewhere in the past, I imagine? Was anyone aware of this song? I'm sure I read somewhere many years ago that Jeff had considered this song as taking the micky and had avoided Randy Newman for years, but eventually confronted him and found out that Randy had written the song as a tribute as he really did admire ELO.
Personally I think the song is rubbish. I much prefer "You've got a friend in me"!
Hmm, to me it sounded pretty sincere, it didn't sound like making fun of ELO to me. Interesting that Jeff thought it was making fun of them, not sure why he would think that. Jim
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Post by jrmugz on Oct 21, 2015 17:17:39 GMT
OK, here is my review of Randy Newman "Land of Dreams". 01. "Dixie Flyer" - Really like the simplicity of the arrangement and the effectiveness of the words. Kind of stuff I can unwind and reflect to. 02. "New Orleans Wins the War" - If anything to not like about this song, I don't have a clue. Fantastic. 03. "Four Eyes" - Strange interesting lyric, engaging soundscape. 04. "Falling in Love" - Closest thing to a standard pop song on here. Works nice. Love the reference to Christ, perhaps (?), I think this is a spiritual song in disguise. "Now you're walking in the holy land Yeah, that's you there, walking with the king You ask "What have I done to deserve this?" Well, you haven't done a thing" 05. "Something Special" - Showcases an ability for effective keyboard riffs, and good balladry. 06. "Bad News from Home" - Immediately like it once the singing starts. Good poignant lyrics. 07. "Roll with the Punches" - Nice groove, a little self-righteous on the lyrics, but hey. I don't take kindly the Democrat attitude of putting down the USA, for all the vanity they stand for. 08. "Masterman and Baby J" - Good satire of rap, a lot of fun, and good message of we should want to help people instead of the "hey look ast me" hip-hop attitude, at least that's the message I get from it. 09. "Red Bandana" - The soundtrack to the words is just so animated and engaging, really good stuff. Very cinematic. 10. "Follow the Flag" - Sounds like a polemic to try to make people ashamed of being patriotic. Nice arrangement though. 11. "It's Money That Matters" - I really have a bone to pick with songs like this that criticize the US as greedy, by Democrats who support abortion and the free-sex culture and have the nerve to talk about greed from corporations, etc. where they don't know those people from Adam, and should be thinking of it on a case by case basis, not general indictment of everyone. I know Randy Newman supported Obama. All that aside though, this is a great tune with all the right hooks, etc. Love it! 12. "I Want You to Hurt Like I Do" - I don't think the character in the song who leaves is family is really deep enough to really be thinking "I want you to hurt like I do", I think it's more like they are choosing to behave selfishly. At the same time, maybe the song could convict someone's conscience who has messed over their family like that to get their act together, so it probably serves it's purpose. Star Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Prime Cuts: "Masterman and Baby J", "It's Money That Matters", "Bad News from Home" Bottom Line: Thoroughly engaging and entertaining Americana-style songs. This guy is an extremely engaging artist with captivating songs. The clear vocals of his social commentary, together with and ragtime-bluesy piano arrangements, make for an irresistable combination. I thought the Monk song was a one-off style of song for him, but now I see all of his songs are just like that. The one artist he reminds me of the most is Van Dyke Parks; it reminds me a little of the VDP album "Orange Crate Art" with Brian Wilson. Thanks Chippa for providing me the opportunity to finally check out a Randy Newman CD, and to hear what the cat is all about. This one was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, if we liked this one and were going to check out more of his stuff, which ones would you recommend? Jim Jim, do you really need to expound your political and religious views on nearly every review? I mean, I'm an atheist liberal (or libtard, as people like you call it) and I rarely give my religious and political views on here. But since you started it, It's Money That Matters is a commentary on the greed and selfishness that seemed to encapsulate the 80's. I think it was targeted at those horrible yuppies and their self-centeredness, rather than 'Merica as whole. Hi 88, I don't know, to me, the 80s was great prosperity, and since the liberals didn't want to give Reagan the credit, they called it a greedy decade. As far as political and religious views, it was just my reaction to a couple songs, that's how I did the review. Jim
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Post by Chippa on Oct 21, 2015 17:26:57 GMT
A couple of quotes from Jeff regarding Randy Newman..
"with Randy Newman, he already had this song. Falling In Love (which appears on the 1988 Land Of Dreams album). What a character he is, always putting himself down. He wanted a different angle on one of his tracks, he wanted some guitar style. So I went round to his house, like this vacuum-cleaner salesman, with my guitar in my case: Hello? Mr Newman? I’ve come to do the drains. "
and about "The Story of a Rock and Roll Band" - "Of course the press as usual said, Oh, it’s him slagging off ELO," Lynne agrees, "but I got to know Randy very well and I said, What was that about? He goes, Oh, I had a terrible trouble with that. I was going to send you a copy and see what you thought. I said, Was it a nice song or what? Was it a tribute? He says, Yeah, absolutely, I really loved them records. So there was no other side to it - he really liked it and I think he was just being silly."
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Post by spike on Oct 21, 2015 17:45:18 GMT
about "The Story of a Rock and Roll Band" - "Of course the press as usual said, Oh, it’s him slagging off ELO," Lynne agrees, "but I got to know Randy very well and I said, What was that about? He goes, Oh, I had a terrible trouble with that. I was going to send you a copy and see what you thought. I said, Was it a nice song or what? Was it a tribute? He says, Yeah, absolutely, I really loved them records. So there was no other side to it - he really liked it and I think he was just being silly."
Thanks Chippa,
I knew my memory wasn't as bad as,............ erm, what was I saying now?
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