Customer Reviews

Randy Newman's Faust

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There I was, spelunking through Jimmy Taylor credits looking for anything I might have missed and up pops Randy Newman's FAUST??? Now I love Newman, and the rest of the "cast", and Taylor is Top Dog in my musical emporium, second only to The Beatles, but why hadn't I heard of this one? Was it really a stage production? James Taylor as GOD??? Randy, the Devil, oh well, what's so strange about that? So not knowing diddly about this "happening" outting, I read EVERY review here. I clicked them all as helpful, weighed all the opinions and one thing finally won out, if you Love James Taylor, and Randy Newman, and don't mind Randy's irreverent sense of humor, stomp all over this one! I warn you, this CD is not for the weak of heart. The devil is foul-mouthed, so is Faust (Don Henley), but then if one studies the origins of the story, or is familiar with the original German classic, there is nothing, I repeat nothing, here to offend you. The devil insists he is a player in a game, that they are "just a figment" of our imaginations, and the Lord is as fickle as an agnostic's reading of the Old Testament. But before you let the "bad" press of other reviews sway you, understand where this particular piece comes from, and be open-minded. Randy put together a marvel here, that truely ought to be produced at least on video, if not on Broadway. And I would have no other "god" but JT. One more thing: if you ever happened to be a fan of "Third Rock" (yes the television show) and enjoyed "Harry's Dream", a stepping out musical Randy Newmanish joy, called "Life's Been Good To Me", and wondered where the devil that one came from? Well, bruthers and sistah's, here it is! Performed by the wonderful voice of Bonnie Raitt. It's a hidden gem in all this treasure. Blew my top! Now will someone direct me to a "Third Rock" original soundtrack? All I can say, if you are still waffling about this purchase is: 1. Newman 2. Taylor 3. Humor 4. Don, Bonnie, Linda, and Elton. 5. "Relax, enjoy yourself"

Randy Newman first grabbed me with Sail Away over 20 years ago, and when I first heard of this project I knew he was really up to something. He has tackled one of the oldest legends with a unique and totally new viewpoint and voice. Faust contains more than one twist upon the old story, (who else but Newman could make him a Gen-X undergrad at Notre Dame) but still retains the original concept of selling your soul. His mastery of language, exhibited in all of his songs has never been better. No other songwriter could call out the "Northern Boy" as "dull as a butter knife". It's not just the story, or the casting, that draws you into this. From James Taylor's first inspired lines as God, to Linda Rondstadt, & Bonnie Raitt, and of course Newman taking the plum role of the devil for himself. He has a mastery of mixing classical, jazz, show tunes, and Gershwin like melodies into a thematic, ear catching and hummable mix. These melodies stick with you long after the first, or hundreth listening.

My only complaint, might be Don Henley as Faust. Too much of his part is presented as a screech and grate.

I was lucky enough to see this produced at the Goodman theatre in Chicago, and though that show had some weak spots, it only helped to affirm the range and scope that had been presented. That show did present these songs in a much different order as well, and that could be something that this could use.

I find myself coming back to this frequently on Sunday Morning, and recommend playing this instead of going to church.

After putting out albums for over twenty-five years in the same 12-song style format, Newman tried something different in the early 1990s. He wrote a musical. And it's not your typical boy-meets-girl type of musical (well, maybe Satan-meets-girl). It deals with God, death, Satan, the BIG questions, power, and innocence. In all of Newman's non-soundtrack work, "Faust" remains his only concept album. But before it was an album it was a musical (and it still gets performed here and there, too).

To really appreciate this album for what it's worth, it must be looked at from the realm of musical theater. "Faust" doesn't showcase Newman the same way "Good Old Boys" or "Sail Away" did. "Faust" is more of a soundtrack than a straight forward album. And, as a musical, it shines. It breathes life into some of the stale overused empty song-driven Broadway shows that people flock to each year in droves. All musicals should be as good and as challenging as "Faust".

And in the style of most musicals, "Faust" contains numerous characters sung by numerous vocalists. Some BIG and surprising names appear here: Don Henley (of the Eagles; he sang background on "Rider In The Rain" on "Little Criminals"), Linda Ronstadt (a long time Newman fan; she's recorded her own versions of quite a few Newman songs), James Taylor (he plays God, a hilarious and intentional miscast), Bonnie Raitt (she was at her prime at this time), and Elton John (who only sings one song). Newman's reputation amongst musicians apparently belies his albums' sales. Including these chart-toppers on "Faust" may have alienated some diehard Newman fans (murmurs of "sellout" could be heard here and there in 1995). But the music rises above it all. "Faust" is definitely no sellout (the closest thing to a hit is "Feels Like Home"). It's hard to say whether the stars' presence increased sales of "Faust" or not.

"Faust", being a musical, also has a storyline. This does not emerge from the CD, however. In fact, almost no story can be extracted from just listening to the album. The book contains a story guide with song titles. Following along with this at least once reveals the story and the meaning behind a lot of the lyrics (the guide is also on Newman's website). By just listening to the album listeners may simply wonder "what's the point?" Probably the biggest reason "Faust" sits amongst Newman's most neglected albums (right down there with "Born Again") is that some effort is required to appreciate it.

The CD contains some incredible moments. "Relax, Enjoy Yourself" segues from a stupidly happy skipping song into a shocking dirge about a dead girl talking to the devil. "That man who shot you in the head, in the Burger King in Tuscon, well he never will be punished you know". "Glory Train" features the devil himself (played by Newman, who else) halting a train of angels to heaven to announce that it's all a bunch of nonsense (the lyrics put it much less mildly). "Faust" takes shots at religion, innocence, and happiness. At times it's downright disturbing. But it still somehow manages to exude fun.

Rhino re-released "Faust" with a bonus CD that features a solo Newman on piano. Supposedly this CD reflects the actual stage show more than the 1995 release. More than a few songs get played here that appear nowhere on the original disc. It also proves that Newman wrote the majority of this material for other singers (his voice strains on some of the higher notes). And he also narrates through the music. It's similar to "Johnny Cutler's Birthday" from the "Good Old Boys" 2 CD-set (also released by Rhino).

"Faust" may not be Newman at his absolute best, but it showcases a different side of Newman not seen before or since. And it also continues his tradition (going solid since 1983) of releasing only two albums per decade. 1995's "Faust" and 1999's "Bad Love" completely exhaust Newman's non-soundtrack 1990's output. He keeps promising he'll do more, but even Newman has to pay the bills.

I'll admit, it took a dozen tryouts for me to put aside my biases about what a musical is supposed to sound like, but after absorbing this over a few week period, Newman deserves ample applause for this effort. Musicals have become a lame artform anyway--at least most contemporary ones--stringing together a bunch of pop songs that are crafted to stand alone outside the context of the show (are you listening, Frank Wildhorn?). Yet many of the songs on here really are theatrical pieces, when you listen carefully. While "Feels Like Home" is a lovely ballad that could easily be removed and put on someone's record, things like "How Great Our Lord" and "Relax, Enjoy Yourself" and "Happy Ending" are redolent of the story they support. There are a few duds, to my ears, like Little Island, but even Lerner and Lowe wrote "Before I Gaze at you Again..." Stick with it, Randy, it's way better than Capeman.

How perfect a platform is "Faust" for Mr. Newman? Well, duh. Here Randy takes the same attitude he voiced in "God's Song" years earlier and pokes fun not at God, but of mankind's ridiculous views concerning the deity. He fills the famous story with shallow and silly human personalities to make fun of the very absurd idea that God is anything like us at all. James Taylor really stands out here with his glib take on the Lord. And Elton John's brief appearance on "Little Island" is fantastic. The satire is so thick you could cut it with Satan's sword. As the cd ends with Randy merrily strolling down the Las Vegas strip speaking in tongues you can't help but laugh at the cosmic joke he's pulled on us all.

Faust as a Broadway Musical... on CD? As a Broadway musical? Faust was something you read in college lit classes, usually under protest. The combination of artists is incredible, and the idea of Taylor as Gd is hilarious! This CD is a great listen, and has several songs that should be listened to over and over, including 'Bless The Children of the World' and 'Feels Like Home'. The entire concept may not fly as a Broadway show, but as a concept CD it is wonderfully done.

Randy Newman is one of the best in my book and this complilation (with the exception of Elton John's contribution which I could have done without) is one of my all time favorites. What a pleasant surprise. I wish that they would make a visual production of this...FANTASTIC! (Not recommended for fervent born agains)

Randy Newman's Faust is a treat to listen to. The cast is unbelievable! The songs are so well written and the performances by everyone are so expressive. It is daring and raw, but the storyline definatly comes across to the listener. You come out of listening to this wanting to see the show, or for me, be in it. I hope it makes it to Broadway. It would shake it up, for the better. I especially loved James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, and Linda Ronstadt's performances. They were wonderful,but of course they would be. This is great material with great artists!

Life has been good to me. I've enjoyed Randy's Faust

I loved it! I was lucky enough to see it being performed live at the La Jolla Playhouse. After listening to the CD two or three times I cannot get the songs out of my head. The lovely romantic ballad FEELS LIKE HOME is worthy of a solo by any of the big female stars around and ready to climb the charts. James Taylor as God is a hoot. Every song is just a treat. Why don't things like this ever make it to Broadway? Randy Newman's Faust is superb. Sit back, close your eyes and enjoy an entertaining musical journey.