Randy Newman is beyond amazing
by DCVM on 2/25/11Lexington Opera House - LexingtonI saw him in 1978 in Jackson, Mississippi. He hasn't missed a beat, voice the same, Scary piano, great audience interaction. What an unbelievable talent.
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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.
I saw him in 1978 in Jackson, Mississippi. He hasn't missed a beat, voice the same, Scary piano, great audience interaction. What an unbelievable talent.
excellent music …. great show! newman has a great sense of humor!
Newman was the consummate professional and gave us a highly entertaining program.. His music is unique, His voice has held up over the years. And mostly, Newman is very funny throughout, moving the program along with good humor. The audience was most appreciative and gave him loud ovations at the end. I'd recommend the program to anyone as a way of spending a lovely evening.
This concert was perfect. The theater was exactly the right size to see and hear from practically any position. I LOVE this guy, and he didn't disappoint. I purchased an e-ticket and the theater handled it expediently. All and all, a wonderful, no stress date.
Randy Newman was delightful. His music was great and his hilarious banter was just as good. Highly recommend.
Except for the bat that flew out in the crowd at the beginning the concert was great. Randy Newman hasn't been here for 30 years and it was really a treat. Hopefully he will come back more often.
i was told that the acoustics at this venue were bad- WRONG! we enjoyed the whole experience.
I had no idea that Randy Newman had composed so many great pieces on music. It was thrilling just watching him conduct our wonderful symphony. They are so good.
The show was very enjoyable. Everything was great. The theater is a great place for any show (good seats) throughout. It was a little warm inside the building could have used some A/C
RN was outstanding! The N.O. Orchestra sounded superb! Great seats! See comment above about intoxicated lady. One suggestion....if RN's piano had been moved about 5 feet further back, it would have been easier to see him while at the piano. This might not be possible with the orchestra, but it would have helped when trying to see past the lady in Row 2.
His lHis love for New Orleans came through loud and clear and made him all the more endearing. His quirky sense of humor is phenomenal, we laughed a lot!! What an entertaining evening!!ove for New Orleans came through loud and clear and his quirky sne
Randy Newman was fun and entertaining but spent too much time playing his more obscure/quirky songs. The audience loved it when he played Short People and The Toy Story theme but beyond that he didn't play many of his more poplular songs. He won an Academy Award for the Monsters Inc theme and never played the song. Also, at times when he was talking it was difficult to understand what he was saying a lot of the times. Not sure if he wasn't speaking clearly or if it was the sound system but it was frustrating.
Extremely talented and funny with a great voice. He is quick on his feet with humor. His 'scores' would benefit from 'video' or photos in the background for recognition purposes.
Seats were great, ticket price great, performance great.
Good performance. Newman's dialoge audio could have been louder,
Very entertaining and enjoyable night of music and fun. Randy Newman is a true entertainer with talent and personality
I love Randy Newman and he surely didn't disappoint. He played with the fabulous Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and it was such a treat. The song "Louisiana" brought me to tears, along with half of the audience...it was a very emotional experience to actually hear him sing a song that means so much to the people of New Orleans and the rest of the state. LOVED HIM!
We really enjoyed the night. I only wished to had lasted longer. The Louisiana Philharmonic is better then ever and adding Randy Newman just made the night.
Great show!!!!!!!!!!! The l.p.o. was great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It was a magical evening! I cried and laughed! I would see him again!