Randy Newman - The Best of Randy Newman

The songwriting genius' multi-label highlights on one CD! The first of its kind, this unique collection gathers 21 tracks released between 1968 and 1999, including Newman's greatest hits, album cuts, and soundtrack classics. Album Description

Randy rocks!

Randy is one of my weirdo heroes (but so are Stephen Colbert, Paul Farmer, etc)...
Very committed and heartfelt songs. Great performer. Watching him performing these songs live makes life such a treat (specially "Feels Like Home"). The world needs more contemporary artists like Mr. Newman. June 7, 2008

IT's RANDY NEWMAN What's more to say:)))

Lets get this straight...I AM A SHORT PERSON AND I LOVE "SHORT PEOPLE" of course I don't have grubby little fingers...but first time I heard this piece was eons ago when Scott Hamilton ice skated to it as one of his competitive programs pre-olympic days. Yes it's that old. He hit the ice in a long black trench coat but started out in a squatt down pose as super short. And eventually was skating standing tall.....Scott's not that tall himself and so another short person was totally delighted in Randy Newmans fun.....ya gotta have self esteem to make it in this world. You get your confidence from your parents and Randy is not your parent...He's an entertainer. Randy is the guy who would write songs that kids would sing to drive their parents nuts in the car. One very delightful and talented guy come music classical as well as funny! Thanx Randy may all your hate mail just dry up and blow away.....you'll get the last laugh anyway as CD's will out last us all.....hurray! If you can afford it someday buy the 30 year package. Meantime enjoy this one or any CD's by Randy Newman.....and he doesn't care if you are short or tall....as long as you have grubby fingers afterall. May 21, 2008

Good selection of songs

I heard Randy on a TV show recently and loved the song her performed. I thought I would love more of his music, but this CD really wasn't my cup of tea. Maybe other CDs would be better. December 18, 2007

Superb stuff from a truly underrated artist

Randy Newman,in my opinion,is an underrated singer-songwriter-Other than his 1977 hit single "Short People" or "I Love LA",there are many people who aren't aware of how talented this man is-This single disc compilation includes the original version of "Mama Told Me Not To Come",which Three Dog Night took to # 1 in 1970-My favorite song on this collection is "Political Science"-The lyrics are just as relevant now as they were back in the 70's-This is a must have for your CD collection. September 15, 2007

You can take your hat off (to Mr. Randy Newman)

Here we have another 'best of' collection. This CD is The Best of tribute to one of America's most prolific songwriters, Randy Newman. If you're not familiar with him, then you should be, and this compilation is a fine way to get started. In fact, it is exactly how I myself was introduced to the man. It covers all of his most memorable items, some famous, some infamous, but without a doubt all good. As being a collection of some of the finest songs of Newman, this CD justly deserves 5 star status.

With 21 tracks in all, this CD covers most of Randy Newman's greatest hits while managing to be a more personal reflection of the artist than other best of's I've heard. I mean, you really get to dig deep into his character by only listening to a handful of his songs, and if you know the artist well, you know just how deep he is. This man has a wealth of work just waiting to be listened to and discovered. Every song is a treasure, another little nugget if you will. And this CD is the perfect way to get introduced to one of the wittiest songwriters of all time. It ranges from "Mama Told Me Not to Come", made famous by Three Dog Night, and the top hit "Short People" which most of you probably know, to the quieter sides of Newman in "Feels Like Home" and "I miss You", a song which I have been unable to locate anywhere else. It explores the Cynical, playful Newman, but also the gentle, lovable songwriter, and offers a little bit of each album. For instance, the Land of Dreams album, a more personal reflection of Newman's life is represented here by "Dixie Flyer". "I Love L. A.", "Miami" and "Take Me Back" all come from the upbeat Trouble in Paradise and there are many other albums represented here. Classics like Sail Away and Little Criminals, and of course, the Good Old Boys album. There are other favorites as well. Who can forget Randy Newman's great work for "Toy Story" in "You've Got a Friend in Me"? "Shame" is an interesting track as well. In it, Randy continues to portray his own shadowed characters, an avenue that he excells in. This is another track that I haven't been able to locate anywhere else.

Speaking as a fan who has many of the great man's albums and other works, I have to say that this is an excellent collection, and a superb way to introduce yourself to Mr. Randy Newman. If you are interested further, I would strongly encourage you to look up his boxed set of work entitled "Guilty: 30 Years of Randy Newman", one of the best box sets I've ever heard.

Here from the master, The Best of Randy Newman. September 3, 2007

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