Customer Reviews

Little Criminals

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I love this album. It's one my dad bought back in 77 and I think I must've worn out the turntable's stylus listening to it with headphones. It's haunting, beautiful and thought provoking, and also playful and irreverent. His musical sensibility is a compelling blend of old-world and new, his voice a weirdly wonderful torture you can't quite get enough of, and his lyrics are chock full of poignant observations and strange perspectives. He takes you places you've simply never imagined going and you'll be glad for it. If you
enjoy Tom Waits, you'll dig Randy, and how. While their styles are totally different, they share a unique ability to capture obscure moments in the human experience and craft hauntingly gorgeous songscapes to communicate them. Buy some early Randy...you'll be glad ya did.

David Bowie once said about his well-known "Space Oddity" song that "I've written over two hundred songs, and that's the only one they remember." Randy Newman has probably found himself in a similar situation with "Short People". The song ubiquitously filled the airwaves in 1977 and 1978. It was truly everywhere. Variety shows featured it (a Goldie Hawn special around that time had Hawn singing "Tall people" in response to the the Harlem Globetrotter's "Short People"; Goldie of course ended up in the basketball hoop at the end), people sang it on the streets, sportscasters talked about, talk shows made jokes about it, and radio stations played it ad nauseum. SCTV dressed up Dave Thomas as Newman and blew him up ("he blowed up reel gud") while singing "Short People". Is that another way of being burned in effigy? Sadly, the satirical nature of the song fell into the abyss behind the novelty acts and what then passed as hip satire. The song's ridiculously catchy melody didn't help. It sticks like a radio jingle, banging around in one's head eternally. Surprisingly the song didn't reach #1. It stalled at #2. By that time the public had probably had enough. But don't blame the song. The mainstream simply absorbed the addictive and catchy song and packaged it in its own image (i.e., one that didn't provoke thought or controversy; it became "fun" and innocuous). Thus was one of the greatest mainstream pop satires lost on the population. Newman has recently said that he now hates the song. He doesn't want to be remembered for it. He's sick of it and wishes that it would go away. That probably won't happen. Generations from now a potential pop song compilation will be released. Its cover reads, in the fashion of the time to be, "Hits from the 1970s!" Somewhere in the song list will be "Short People by Randy Newman". "Louisiana 1927" won't be there. Neither will "Rednecks" or "Sail Away". That is, unless our global culture takes a sane turn for the better. Where there is life, there is hope.
The most optimistic way to think of "Short People" (it's actually a great song for what it is) is that it has the power to introduce listeners to Randy Newman. More than one Newman fan likely got their start by hearing it on the radio. Perhaps they then went and picked up "Little Criminals" and heard gems like "Sigmund Freud's Impersonation of Albert Einstein in America", "In Germany Before the War", or "Texas Girl At the Funeral of Her Father"? Their curiosity peaked, they went and bought "Good Old Boys" or "Sail Away". Who wouldn't be hooked then? And all that thanks to what is commonly subsumed as a "novelty hit".
That said, "Little Criminals" in no way showcases Newman at his utmost best. Considering its predecessor, "Good Old Boys", it's slightly, very slightly, disappointing. Of course it contains absolutely amazing songs such as those listed above along with "Baltimore" (another song Newman supposedly hates), "Kathleen" and "Old Man on the Farm". Alongside these are some good but not great efforts such as "You Can't Fool the Fat Man", "Little Criminals", and "Rider in the Rain". These songs don't contain Newman's usual umph! and conviction. They're still great, but they're not absolutely top-notch Newman. One song was exhumed from the vaults. "I'll Be Home" actually debuted on "Randy Newman Live" six years earlier. Here it receives a full arrangement in contrast to the solo piano voice treatment. A first on this album is pronounced distorted electric guitar, which fit the times. Though generally well produced, it's still a product of its generation. More evidence of this are the pieces of the Eagles strewn throughout the album. Don Henley, Glen Frey, and Joe Walsh all contributed parts. Other stars at the time wanted Newman to succeed. He certainly did on this album, at least commercially.
Whether Newman likes it or not, "Little Criminals" probably stands as the most common introduction to Newman's music for the average listener. And that's not a bad thing.

...is on this album. The incredible sledgehammer irony of "Short People" actually angered a lot of people (you know it, "Short People got...no reason to live..."). But it was business as usual for Randy, who specializes in singing about things normally shied away from in popular music (old age, cruelty, racism, etc.). Here I suppose, is his sales breakthrough, anyway. The first side can do no wrong. It has the aforementioned screed, the duo of petty grifter tales ("You Can't Fool the Fat Man" and "Little Criminals", both delivered in that bemused, jaunty way he looks upon what fools people can be), the spare, sad and gorgeous "Texas Girl..." and "Jolly Coppers on Parade", a perfect vignette seen through the eyes of an admiring youngster--we sense he may feel differently toward the men in blue somewhere down the road (at least, that's my impression of it). Second side is definitely more "L.A." with the appearance of the Eagles behind him. "Baltimore" actually sounds like a traditional ballad, and it suffers. You don't expect to hear such unadulterated sentiment from Randy--you keep looking for subtext. "I'll Be Home", written long before he recorded it here, is similar--but it's a better tune and the unadorned arrangement suits it. The disc finishes with "Kathleen", a bluesy ode to the sexual appeal of that particular Irish girl, and "Old Man on the Farm" (just Randy and piano again, you can imagine)--I like the Amazon review which mused on the mistake of choosing that instead of "SP". Very good stuff overall.

As a lifelong fan of Mr. Newman I must say that if I had to choose only 1 of his great works to have on the old deserted island this would be it. Short People is brilliant satire and the studio track is as perfect as they come. Jolly Coppers is a wonderful song, building to a marvelous peak with the orchestration. Funeral is just plain genius. The thing that sets this apart from his others is the guest stars that appear. Joe Walsh's guitar is brilliant on several cuts and the Eagles provide their glorious harmonies throughout the album. A hundred years from now my bet is that music lovers will look back and wonder why Randy wasn't considered a giant of our generation. His music and songs will endure.

Randy Newman is proof - and proof IS needed - that Americans have a sense of irony. From the haunting 12 Songs through his bitterly funny tales of the deep south on Good Old Boys to Little Criminals he tells complex, surprising tales of ordinary Americana. Little Criminals is an almost perfect showcase of his talent: from the poignant shards of songs like Texas Girl at The Funeral of Her Father and Old Man on the Farm, to the rollicking bravura of underworld fools of the title song and You Can't Fool the Fat Man. The ironic undercurrent of the gorgeously naive Jolly Coppers on Parade is wondrous, but for me, the highlight is the American anthem he provides in Sigmund Freud's Imprestonation of Albert Einstein in America. which includes the haunting, hilarious, hearbreaking lines:
Americans dream of gypsies I have found/
Gypsy knives and gypsy thighs that pound/
and pound and pound and pound/
African appendages that almost reach the ground/
And little boys playing baseball in the Rain...

This album is in my top twenty favorites. Every single song is a classic in it's own way. This is another disc that should be included in any classic rock fan's library. Highly recommended and a deserving five stars for "Little Criminals."

Contrary to popular belief, this album is not about short people. Although that Top 40 song made this album popular, it is certainly not my favorite. It is not denigrating to short people, like many believe -- listen to the words and you will understand.

Not sure which song would be my favorite. It really depends on my mood. When I want some simple cheering up, I put on "Jolly Coppers on Parade" and remember a childhood (somewhat imagined) where everything is sunny and parades and candy. When I feel my mid-life transition or other mood where I need consoling, I put on "Old Man on the Farm". When I think about lost opportunities, I put on "Kathleen". When feeling I-told-you-so, I put on "You Can't Fool the Fat Man". When feeling loyal to neighbors or country, I play "Baltimore".

In fact, whenever I play any of those songs, I usually end up playing "Baltimore", "Jolly Coppers on Parade" and "Old Man on the Farm". I guess those would be my favorites!

Overall, the mood is somewhat pessimistic and the tempo a little slower. However, the surface appearance is deceptive. Newman has an underlying positive outlook on life that is felt rather than immediately picked up. If you are looking for laid-back clean solos and soft peppy accompaniment, try this album.

Randy Newman has a unique, appealing way with his music. I can hear music by him, be it a soundtrack from the 90's or a solo album from the 70's and I can tell that it is Newman. He writes magnificent brass and string arangements to complement his piano-based pop/jazz/blues feel. His unique voice somehow appeals to me more than most; and his lyric writing always seems to speak volumes in a few lines of verse. If you are a music fan who enjoys great composition and you have a sense of humor, you will love Randy Newman. This album is one of his best although not as complete as, say, "Good Ol' Boys."

I've had this CD for a few years now and it's about time that I reviewed it. I am a huge Randy Newman fan, and believe it or not, I used to dislike music! Hard for me to believe. But one day my Dad suggested Randy Newman as an anticdote; he brought home the Good Old Boys album, and I've been hooked ever since. I soo began searching out other Newman albums and later bought this one. Now I think all of his albums are great because they all have something new and different to offer, but if you're familiar with Randy Newman, then you have to admit that this is one of his really good ones.

It's balanced very well in terms of fast-paced, slow-paced mix and it has a lot of material on it, probably the second best remembered Newman album out there (next to Good Old Boys of course, however infamous you may think it was). And who can forget "Short People"? As Newman describes in his liner notes, "I just needed a tune-up from 'Little Criminals'" And whether you like it or not, you have to admit that it's a very catchy tune, maybe that's why some people didn't like it so much! If you haven't heard it, then you should at least listen to it once. A real gem. While attention has always gravitated towards his generally accepted works like "I Love L. A." or "Mama Told Me Not to Come" (made famous by Three Dog Night), Randy's albums have always been packed with little hidden nuggets, some even unheard of like next's "You Can't Fool the Fat Man". This is a kind of funny piece of work as are most of the man's songs. Another catchy tune from a great songwriter. The title track, "Little Criminals", is good as expected but ultimately overshadowed by some superior songwriting to come, like for instance, "Texas Girl at the Funeral of her Father". This is a truly beautiful song, kind of like his "Marie" was. Personally I think it's better. "Jolly Coppers on Parade" has always been my favorite here and I don't honestly know why, but it is another great song. It just seems to 'work'. "In Germany Before the War" is pretty well known if you keep up with Randy. It's slow, and really paints a picture for the listener. "Sigmund Freud's Impersonation of Albert Einstein in America" is, as the title would suggest, a witty little song. I just love how Randy always pairs serious music with funny lyrics. His trademark. Now "Baltimore" is a really good song. You won't hear it in the sample but there is a very nice, smooth transition from Randy's piano chords into a building backup, and soon chorus. This is a finely arranged song. I'll Be Home" is one that will be included on a Randy Newman Greatest Hits CD, and worthy of it! Really heartfelt and beautiful. "Rider in the Rain" is perhapse a slight deviation from the general feel of the album. Every now and then, Randy likes to turn a little bit western, and he does it well here as usual. Winding down is "Kathleen" (or "Catholicisim Made Easier"). Not a track to be taken into the spotlight but not bad. The same is with "Old Man on the Farm". These are just two more unknowns from the wealth of Randy Newman, you may or may not like them.

Although this album will probably always be synonamous with "Short People", it has a lot more to offer. Discover yet another chapter in the world of Randy Newman, one that I'm sure you will appreciate if you love the man like I do.

Randy Newman / Little Criminals: There are no `throw-a-ways' present on this album (despite what the Amazon reviewer says). These are all fantastic songs. It is true that it is more a loose collection of songs rather than a focused album, but that does not prevent this from being one of his Best collections of songs. As Randy himself said on an appearance of Saturday Night Live... "If anyone out there is truly offended by my song (Short People), I would like to say to you... PPPffffffttttt!!"
Five Stars.