Randy Newman has been beloved of critics, record geeks, and music fans for years, so much so that Rhino's 2001 compilation The Best of Randy Newman may seem like a case of preaching to the converted, at least to those who worship Newman. After all, anybody who's been paying attention realizes his sly genius, not just as a songwriter, but as a musician and record-maker -- 12 Songs, Sail Away, Good Old Boys, and Trouble in Paradise are hailed as masterpieces because the records are as carefully constructed and engaging as the ...
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Randy Newman has been beloved of critics, record geeks, and music fans for years, so much so that Rhino's 2001 compilation The Best of Randy Newman may seem like a case of preaching to the converted, at least to those who worship Newman. After all, anybody who's been paying attention realizes his sly genius, not just as a songwriter, but as a musician and record-maker -- 12 Songs, Sail Away, Good Old Boys, and Trouble in Paradise are hailed as masterpieces because the records are as carefully constructed and engaging as the songs. Proof of that sentiment arrives immediately with the collection's opening cut, "Mama Told Me Not to Come," which may be better known in Three Dog Night's bombastic rendition, but is better and funnier in this wry telling. That's also true for other Newman songs that have become standards -- "You Can Leave Your Hat On," "Sail Away," "Louisiana 1927," and "I Think It's Going to Rain Today" are enhanced by Newman's delivery, which emphasizes not just his humor but also the underlying emotion of his songs. Then there are the songs that the general public associates with Randy Newman -- the novelty tune "Short People," the cynical faux-anthem "I Love L.A.," the reaffirming Toy Story theme "You've Got a Friend in Me." These two sides prove that Randy Newman is a songwriter of exceptional talent and that he can reach a wide audience, but the wonderful, bewildering thing about him is that his recordings obstinately fall between these two extremes -- he's simply too willful to play to a mass audience but, even at his most obscure and ornery, his music is open and accessible. Because of this mercurial talent, it can be hard for a neophyte to get a handle on his recordings, which is why a collection like The Best of Randy Newman isn't simply welcome, it's necessary. This may not be every longtime fan's choice for the very best of Randy Newman, but it does give a good sense of his genius and how far-reaching it is by featuring all those previously mentioned songs, along with many others that confirm the depth of his talent -- "Political Science," "Rednecks," "Marie," "Miami," and "Dixie Flyer," among others. There are certainly other songs in his catalog that could have easily been showcased here, and 12 Songs and Sail Away certainly had their own logic that, in their own way, make them a more effective introduction. But as a far-reaching sampler for neophytes and casual fans, this does the job handsomely. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi
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Add this copy of The Best of Randy Newman to cart. $5.62, fair condition, Sold by Goodwill of Greater Milwaukee rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Milwaukee, WI, UNITED STATES, published 2001 by Rhino.
Add this copy of The Best of Randy Newman to cart. $5.63, good condition, Sold by Goodwill rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Brooklyn Park, MN, UNITED STATES, published 2001 by Rhino.
Add this copy of The Best of Randy Newman to cart. $9.99, very good condition, Sold by Spin On This rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Woodland Hills, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2001 by 081227436421; Warner Archives/Rhino.
Add this copy of Best of Randy Newman to cart. $24.52, good condition, Sold by Wonder Book - Member ABAA/ILAB rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Frederick, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2001 by Rhino.
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Good. Good condition. audioCD. BMG edition. Case Very Good. Disc slightly scratched. Quality guaranteed! In original artwork/packaging unless otherwise noted.
Add this copy of Best of Randy Newman to cart. $6.65, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Diamond rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2001 by Rhino/Warner Bros.
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Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Best of Randy Newman to cart. $6.65, very good condition, Sold by Half Price Books Inc rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2001 by Rhino.
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Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Best of Randy Newman to cart. $6.66, very good condition, Sold by Half Price Books Inc rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2001 by Rhino.
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Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Best of Randy Newman to cart. $6.91, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Ruby rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2001 by Rhino.
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Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Best of Randy Newman to cart. $6.91, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Emerald rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2001 by Rhino/Warner Bros.
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Seller's Description:
Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Best of Randy Newman to cart. $6.91, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Diamond rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2001 by Rhino/Warner Bros.
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Seller's Description:
Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
