Randy Newman (2003) Like its creator, who has recorded some of the most bilious, complex songs ever written (plus cartoon-animal love ballads), "Songbook" is uncategorizable. Neither live CD… Randy Newman
Music Review

Randy Newman (2003)

Randy Newman
Reviewed by Brian Hiatt | Oct 03, 2003
EW's GRADE
A-

Details Release Date: Sep 30, 2003; Lead Performance: Randy Newman

Like its creator, who has recorded some of the most bilious, complex songs ever written (plus cartoon-animal love ballads), ''Songbook'' is uncategorizable. Neither live CD nor greatest hits, it combines solo piano rerecordings of '70s Newman masterpieces (''Sail Away'') with soundtrack instrumentals and a couple of his best '90s tunes. Newman doesn't top his lavish originals, but the deepened blues of his aged-whiskey croak sear the dust off classics like the all-too-timely ''Political Science.''

Originally posted Oct 03, 2003 Published in issue #731 Oct 03, 2003 Order article reprints