Randy Newman Live [LIVE]

Randy Newman

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 9, 1995)
• Original Release Date: 1971
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Reprise / Wea
• ASIN: B000002KP1
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #148,606 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Pop > Live Albums > Singer-Songwriters

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
After two vastly contrasting LPs, Reprise filled the gap between Randy Newman's studio stays with this 1970 solo concert recording from the Bitter End in New York. Constructed around five songs from the eponymous first album and four from the second LP (12 Songs), it's rounded out with two selections that would later appear on Sail Away, another Newman didn't polish in the studio until 1977's Little Criminals ("I'll Be Home"), and two trifles--"Tickle Me" and "Maybe I'm Doing It Wrong"--that didn't turn up until 1998's four-disc box set, Guilty. Live has a modest, intimate appeal, but with all that redundancy, it's ultimately not essential. --Steven Stolder

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars this is great, December 6, 1999

By A Customer

I recently bought a four CD collection called "Guilty: 30 years of Randy Newman." It's good. But if you only want to buy one Randy CD, or a just checking him out for the first time, and you're interested in his non- movie songs, this is a great one. Since it's live there is some talking between songs (not too much) that gives you a better feel for the man. And he is such a great musician and performer that every live song is flawless.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best stopgap releases ever..., January 8, 2003

By	ewomack "ewomack" (MN USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This is one of Newman's best albums. It's just him, a piano, a microphone, and (what Newman claimed in an interview) about a dozen people in a club. It sounds like he's playing at your private party - you can hear the laughter of the crowd, of Newman himself, and all of the ambient noise of the club.

Some of his best early songs are here: "Mama Told Me Not To Come" (a great version), "Old Kentucy Home" (this version lets you hear the great piano part much better than on "12 Songs"), "Yellow Man." Also, two songs that were never released elsewhere: "Tickle Me" and "Maybe I'm Doing It Wrong" are both great and hilarious songs (the second song was recorded for "Sail Away" but not included - it is included on the recent re-release of "Sail Away" in orchestral version). Also included are some songs then yet to be released: "Last Night I Had a Dream" and "Lonely at the Top" which were both on "Sail Away" released after "Live."

The album was supposedly released because Newman was taking so long in producing "Sail Away" and the record company wanted to keep momentum up. The public benefitted doubly: we got a great live album and a great follow-up.

I had the privledge of seeing Newman in concert during the "Land of Dreams" tour some years ago. Again, it was just Newman and a piano. His show hasn't changed much (not that it needs to): he asks for requests and the audience begins shouting out song titles, he laughs during his songs, makes fun of himself and tells some great stories. Listening to Newman's early material shows that his style was set very early on, and he's been building on it ever since (though some think he's merely repeating himself, which I don't agree with).

The only thing that would be better than this album would be a follow-up. A live album from one of his recent tours with just him and piano. He's put out so much great material since then and sometimes his recordings hide his piano playing. It would be a happy companion to this great album.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great performance by this gifted artist., January 5, 2001

By	John "John" (PHOENIX, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

I bought the vinyl LP version of this album more than 25 year ago when Newman was relatively unknown and it was one of my favorite albums. I sold my turntable many years ago and have not heard this since. I recently purchased the CD and am glad to hear these old songs again.

The CD contains live versions of classic Newman songs. The music was recorded in a small club so the production values are not what you might expect in a studio recording. No fancy recording equipment, background singers, or studio musicians - just Newman and his piano. However, the live atmosphere though seems to add to, rather than take away from, the experience. You can hear people in the audience laugh during humorous verses. They shout out requests between numbers.

In recent years Newman has been known for his work on movie soundtracks. This CD explores the roots of this gifted songwriter. Whether you're a long-time Randy Newman fan or just someone that likes quirky songs, this CD should be part of your collection.