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The "Best" of Randy Newman gives you a complete appreciation of his work and it seems only to get better as the years go on>
Randy Newman's songs are among my favorites of all time, but I never knew he wrote them until this album.Like Bob Dylan, he is a better songwriter than he is a singer.Louisiana 1927 is one of the prettiest songs ever, but it is hard to beat the cover by Aaron Neville.You've Got a Friend in Me, of course, is sung by Riders in the Sky for the Toy Story animated movie, and is a lovely cover.Three Dog Night's cover of Mama Told Me (Not to Come) is famous. I never even knew Randy penned it.Of course, no one can cover "Short People" and "I Love L.A.", because the biting sarcasm is inimitable in both the lyrics and Randy's voice.And, of course, this album doesn't have "It's a Jungle Out There", the theme song for the Monk Televison show, which is so witty.The other songs on this album I don't care for. Buy the singles you like.
I like the PICKS where they explain why a particular restaurant or lodging was chosen. I waited for this edition as I will be going to NZ in February, '09. I like their format - I like that they use different writers and their candor. By their nature, these books can't be all enclusive so I use Trip Advisor as a more specific reference. Still it is excellent.
If you're a Randy Newman fan as I am then this is THE collection for you. Am planning to drive from Jersey to Nevada and this will be one of the CDs keeping me awake along the way.
Randy is one of my weirdo heroes (but so are Stephen Colbert, Paul Farmer, etc). Watching him performing these songs live makes life such a treat (specially "Feels Like Home"). Very committed and heartfelt songs. Great performer. The world needs more contemporary artists like Mr. Newman.
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