Randy Newman still has it
by Anonymous on 9/21/17Birchmere - AlexandriaFunny, entertaining and engaging. Not just an old fart playing out the string.
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About
Randy Newman in Concert
With songs that run the gamut from heartbreaking to satirical and a host of unforgettable film scores, Randy Newman has used his many talents to create musical masterpieces widely recognized by generations of audiences.
After starting his songwriting career as a teenager, Newman launched into recording as a singer and pianist in 1968 with his self-titled album Randy Newman. Throughout the 1970s he released several other acclaimed albums such as: 12 Songs, Sail Away, and Good Old Boys. In addition to his solo recordings and regular international touring, Newman began composing and scoring for films in the 1980s. The list of movies he has worked on since then includes The Natural, Awakenings, Ragtime, all three Toy Story pictures, Seabiscuit, James and the Giant Peach, A Bug’s Life, and most recently, Disney/Pixar’s Monsters University, the prequel to Monsters Inc. (which he also scored).
The highly praised 2008 Harps and Angels was Newman’s first album of new material since 1999. The Austin Chronicle wrote “the characters are memorable, the satire sharp, the music luxurious, and the arrangements maybe the most gorgeous in all pop music.”
The Randy Newman Songbook Vol. 2, which is the second in a series of new solo piano/vocal recordings of his songs spanning his five-decades, was released in 2011. Time Out New York said of the series, which will receive a third volume soon, “The Songbook records strip away the orchestrations of his regular albums, leaving Newman alone at the piano, singing...three-minute masterpieces from throughout a half-century career.”
That same year, Nonesuch Records released a live CD and DVD recorded at London’s intimate LSO St. Luke’s, an 18th-century Anglican church that has been restored by the London Symphony Orchestra, where he was accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by Robert Ziegler. The 22-song set features some of his best-known songs like “Short People,” “Louisiana 1927,” and “I Think It’s Going to Rain Today,” as well as newer songs such as “A Few Words in Defense of Our Country” and “Laugh and Be Happy.”
Randy Newman’s many honors include six Grammys, three Emmys, and two Academy Awards, as well as a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013—the same year he was given an Ivor Novello PRS for Music Special International Award. Mostly recently, Newman was presented with a PEN New England Song Lyrics of Literary Excellence Award in June 2014.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Rating: 5 out of 5 Simply the best
by JShine on 4/11/16The Space At Westbury - WestburyWonderful songs by a down to earth and friendly performer who seemed to relish being able to play both the old and new songs for real fans. Plus one of the new songs about Vladimir Putin was fantastic. Can't wait for the album!
Rating: 5 out of 5 Randy Newman--as good as ever
by 50sBoomer on 4/10/16The Space At Westbury - WestburyI first saw Randy Newman when I was a college student back in the early 70s and have seen him a few more times over the years. He's as good as ever. It was just Randy and a piano and the audience. He played some old tunes, new tunes and a bit of his Disney work. He talked to the audience, told us stories, did two sing-a-longs and took requests. A fan couldn't ask for more.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Great show, beautiful theater!
by Frankiepi on 4/9/16The Space At Westbury - WestburyFirst time seeing a show at The Space in Westbury. Beautiful theater and more importantly really enjoyed seeing Randy Newman!
Rating: 5 out of 5 Randy Newman was awesome
by JohnH63 on 4/9/16The Space At Westbury - WestburyRandy Newman was great the other night. The space at westbury is a great venue and newman's piano sounded terrific. Played so many great songs and entertained the crowd
Rating: 5 out of 5by Yankeemanone on 3/7/16Heymann Performing Arts Center - Lafayette rANDY WAS GREAT !SANG ALL HIS HITS AND TOOK REQUESTS COULDN,T ASK FOR A BETTER SHOW WITH ENCORES PLAYED 2 1/2 HRS.
Rating: 3 out of 5 Newman in Lafayette
by growlerhill on 3/6/16Heymann Performing Arts Center - LafayetteA decent show with just Randy at his piano. I say decent, because form my seated area (balcony) the sound was muffled when he briefly spoke, as well as the majority of song lyrics were hard to understand. I think this was due to the speakers facing the floor audience, and not angled toward the balcony. Still, it was enjoyable. The fist set lasted just under an hour, followed by a 15 minute break and an hour-long second set. The vast majority of songs were condensed, but I doubt most people cared. Some of the longer songs, were: Old Kentucky Home, Short People, You Got a Friend in Me, Mama Told Me Not to Come, Louisiana 1927.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Hold nothing back!
by Anonymous on 3/4/16Heymann Performing Arts Center - LafayetteIf you missed this, as my wife did regretfully,oh well. Audience made not a peep till asked to.do so. Audience also sang well. Packed house. Great venue. Thanks Randy Newman for sharing your work.Those who left early dont appreciate music or whatever. No one moved during music. 1 man 1 instrument
Rating: 5 out of 5 Fantastic
by lrl511 on 3/4/16Heymann Performing Arts Center - LafayetteBlast from the past and some great new things. Most enjoyable. Loved every minute of it. Thanks Randy Newman for sharing your talent with us.
Rating: 3 out of 5 He's Dead!
by CodyIsaiah on 10/10/15Royce Hall - UCLA - Los AngelesMr. Newman has an interesting take on the world around him, and his observations are always incisive, insightful and entertaining. Unfortunately, his performance skills are not so good. Here is an example when song writers should NOT be allowed to perform their work. Aside from his personal banter, which was very engaging, his voice and style (southern black?) were fixed and lacked range. Every song took us to the same place. My only consolation was remembering performances by Streisand and Collins, which brought his words and music to life. Time to let it go, Mr. Newman. Time to enjoy the warmth and glow of a very productive songwriting life. At 72, it is time to let others move into the spotlight. Does he serve the beauty and humanity of his songs any longer? No. He's dead! (metaphorically speaking, that is).
Rating: 5 out of 5 Randy Newman - Outstanding!
by PVLady on 10/7/15Royce Hall - UCLA - Los AngelesBig fans of singer/songwriters and Mr. Newman definitely made our top tier!! He performed nearly 40 songs including a couple of audience-participation!! Loved the performance, love Randy Newman! Royce Hall was the perfect venue. Can't wait to see him again!! Thank you.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Fabulous
by harrybernie on 10/6/15Royce Hall - UCLA - Los AngelesRandy was charming and funny. He played just enough old stuff and we loved the new. And, he played for almost 3 hours - quite a wonderful show, several standing ovations. Heartfelt ending. Just wonderful.
Rating: 5 out of 5by Anonymous on 10/6/15Royce Hall - UCLA - Los Angeles What an amazing performer! So much emotion in his voice and lyrics. We loved it from beginning to end.
Rating: 1 out of 5 Disappointing performance from a great talent
by musichound77 on 9/4/15Chateau Ste Michelle Winery - WoodinvilleI'm a fan of Randy Newman and a huge fan of the Chateau St. Michelle venue, so I was profoundly disappointed when Randy took a "low entertainment" approach to his performance this year. Shame on me for not checking on prior reviews, but I was surprised to see that Randy was performing solo, and disappointed to see that he took a very low key approach to the entire show. For a smart guy, I think he took a foolish approach by not trying to add energy to the show with at least a well-prepared delivery.....he actually forgot portions of a couple of different tunes! A composer of his reputation should be able to round up a quality group of musicians to build an entertaining stage presentation. Instead, he tried to pull off a low-key piano bar-style performance with a few brief anecdotes and not very interesting versions of his songs. FAIL.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Rain Rain Rain
by Talmario on 9/1/15Chateau Ste Michelle Winery - WoodinvilleA most amazing concert in spite of the torrential downpour. We stayed almost dry until the end and we stayed until the end.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Randy Newman was great at Ste Michelle
by SRMWH on 9/1/15Chateau Ste Michelle Winery - WoodinvilleRandy performed without a band or musical back-up. He didn't need anything accept his piano and voice. His famous funny lyrics were great. The rain didn't get serious until the very end. It was an entertaining show and wonderful venue.
Rating: 1 out of 5 Weather Was Too Wet
by VintageClubMember on 9/1/15Chateau Ste Michelle Winery - WoodinvilleDid not attend; wind and heavy rains. Additionally thunder storms were predicted and once before I was run out of a concert along with a multitude of others by a lightning bolt
Rating: 5 out of 5 Randy is -- well -- Randy
by RLP1234 on 9/1/15Chateau Ste Michelle Winery - WoodinvilleA rather geriatric crowd, but lively. Randy Newman is a great American song writer and has an amazing sense of humor. He has a wonderful presense and seems to really enjoy the fans (and they enjoy him). The Putin song was one to remember. . .
Rating: 5 out of 5 At Chateau Ste. Michelle in a Downpour
by RPMD on 9/1/15Chateau Ste Michelle Winery - WoodinvilleGreat show! Just Randy and his piano. Clever banter in between tunes. And he played a lot of them. He was connected with and engaged with the audience who stuck it out through an August storm. I'd definitely see him again. An American treasure!
Rating: 5 out of 5 Randy Newman IS wicken awesome
by Eulaeula on 11/30/14Wilbur Theatre - BostonThe best thing you can say about something in Boston is wicked Boston. I felt privileged to see him in person. And seeing him perform is personal. He puts himself into his performance as if we're all hanging out together in some really, big, weird room.