The work of only a few song writers can withstand scrutiny when the elaborate backings are taken away, but Randy Newman is certainly one such song writer. That his songs were originally conceived on the piano undoubtedly helps, but the fine craftsmanship that Newman pours into every effort is why he's considered one of the greatest writer of songs in the last few decades, if the most popularly unappreciated. This album presents many of Newman's most popular efforts (if not some of his most famous) as well as some brief snippets from a few of his film scores, all with just Newman on vocals and piano. Most of the songs will be instantly familiar to Newman fans, about the only one that surprised me was Let Me Go which is taken from the 1970 film,
The Pursuit of Happiness. It's a prototypical, quietly lyrical Newman song, a long way from the cheeriness of his more recent movie songs - "Let me go/don't give me the answer/cause I don't want to know/just let my heart go on beating a little big longer."
It's surprising how much one doesn't miss the original arrangements, either for orchestra or more traditional rock ensemble. The sophistication of the lyrics, melody and piano accompaniment results in songs that don't honestly require anything showy to improve them. The snippets from his film scores are a little brief, functioning as short instrumentals in between the songs; two are from certified Newman classics, Ragtime and Avalon, but When She Loved Me from Toy Story 2 is perhaps his best movie song to date (and sorely robbed at the Oscars), although it seems strange Newman doesn't sing it, but the melody is lovely enough on its own terms. Newman fans will require little encouragement to pick up this collection as it reveals the stark beauty of Newman's writing. His voice is on top form, in other words, gruff as ever, but with many of songs - Rednecks, Sail Away and so forth - anything smoother simply wouldn't work. He may not be the world's most gifted singer, but for many of his songs, the interpretations are unsurpassed. Here's hoping Vol. 2 isn't far off.
Rating ~ 
- It's Lonely at the Top (3:13)
- God's Song (That's Why I Love Mankind) (3:24)
- Louisiana 1927 (2:56)
- Let Me Go (2:37)
- Rednecks (3:05)
- Avalon (0:58)
- Living Without You (2:16)
- I Think It's Going to Rain Today (2:57)
- You Can Leave Your Hat On (2:32)
- It's Money that I Love (2:16)
- Marie (2:57)
- When She Loved Me (1:03)
- Sail Away (2:58)
- The World Isn't Fair (3:07)
- Political Science (2:03)
- The Great Nations of Europe (3:24)
- In Germany Before the War (3:49)
- Ragtime (1:25)
Total Time ~ 47:20
