Album: Sail Away
Artist: Randy Newman
Born: Los Angeles
Released: May 1972
Genre: Soft Rock
Influenced: Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, Ron Sexsmith, Beck
Probably now most famous for his film scores, notably the Toy Story trilogy, Randy Newman's best work was as a biting musical satirist and LA weirdo. Many of his songs have become more famous as covers, while some like Short People have a popular novelty value, but his less well-known work is the best expression of his talents as a storyteller, composer and singer. Like Nilsson, there's something of the music hall about his approach, as well as a strong Gilbert & Sullivan influence. Like listening to the best songwriters, it pays not to let the music wash over you and to actively listen, as Newman is genuinely one of the funniest pop composers. Sail Away may on the surface be a tuneful ballad about leaving your cares behind, but it's actually an insight into the racist mindset of the slave trader. He often uses the literary device of the unreliable narrator, something that Dylan also often uses to great effect. As Greil Marcus said, "Newman uses the familiarity of the music to set us in the moods and situations the music automatically calls up; we respond in predictable ways to the music, and as we do, his words and his singing pull us in other directions, or shift the story just enough to make it new."
Sail Away and Good Old Boys are Newman's duo of great albums, and this is my favourite of the two. Right from the title track to Old Man and Dayton, Ohio 1903 there are just so many memorable songs, and he uses the orchestra to brilliant effect on this album. The irony of Lonely At The Top, a song about the pitfalls of being a superstar sung by a cult musician, is brilliantly executed. Political Science is an even funnier take on world politics, while Memo To My Son is a brilliant take on the trials of parenting. Not all of the songs are humorous though, Dayton, Ohio 1903 being a nostalgic ballad that evokes Newman's childhood, a simpler time when "things were green and movin' slow", a long way from the hustle & bustle of early 70s LA. You Can Leave Your Hat On would find greater success in the hands of Joe Cocker and Tom Jones, but Newman's version is funnier (because he's not trying to be sexy). The album closes with God's Song, a biting satire that reveals Newman's deep-seated atheism. Sail Away really isn't a gentle, easy listen and is no less brilliant for that.
Probably now most famous for his film scores, notably the Toy Story trilogy, Randy Newman's best work was as a biting musical satirist and LA weirdo. Many of his songs have become more famous as covers, while some like Short People have a popular novelty value, but his less well-known work is the best expression of his talents as a storyteller, composer and singer. Like Nilsson, there's something of the music hall about his approach, as well as a strong Gilbert & Sullivan influence. Like listening to the best songwriters, it pays not to let the music wash over you and to actively listen, as Newman is genuinely one of the funniest pop composers. Sail Away may on the surface be a tuneful ballad about leaving your cares behind, but it's actually an insight into the racist mindset of the slave trader. He often uses the literary device of the unreliable narrator, something that Dylan also often uses to great effect. As Greil Marcus said, "Newman uses the familiarity of the music to set us in the moods and situations the music automatically calls up; we respond in predictable ways to the music, and as we do, his words and his singing pull us in other directions, or shift the story just enough to make it new."
Sail Away and Good Old Boys are Newman's duo of great albums, and this is my favourite of the two. Right from the title track to Old Man and Dayton, Ohio 1903 there are just so many memorable songs, and he uses the orchestra to brilliant effect on this album. The irony of Lonely At The Top, a song about the pitfalls of being a superstar sung by a cult musician, is brilliantly executed. Political Science is an even funnier take on world politics, while Memo To My Son is a brilliant take on the trials of parenting. Not all of the songs are humorous though, Dayton, Ohio 1903 being a nostalgic ballad that evokes Newman's childhood, a simpler time when "things were green and movin' slow", a long way from the hustle & bustle of early 70s LA. You Can Leave Your Hat On would find greater success in the hands of Joe Cocker and Tom Jones, but Newman's version is funnier (because he's not trying to be sexy). The album closes with God's Song, a biting satire that reveals Newman's deep-seated atheism. Sail Away really isn't a gentle, easy listen and is no less brilliant for that.
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