Good Old Boys

More politically complex versions of the songs from Toy Story 2. The worst one. Actually, 4 is the worst one, but I don't consider that to be in the proper film in the series, as it falls outside of Andy's character arch.

He might know more slurs than chord progressions but ill be damned if he doesn't have panache

I like the potato head the best

The South Park parody of this guy is shockingly accurate. “Naked Man” sounds like Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da’s long-lost crackhead cousin.

Randy Newman’s finest, most complex work and concept album. There’s a quote somewhere—I can’t find it now—from Mr. Newman where he talks about making dinner party music that you can’t play at dinner parties. I believe that was in regards to his 1971 album Sail Away, of which its central song is told from the perspective a slave trader trying to entice an African to “sail away” to America. Well, if any self-effacing white American hosting a dinner party in the early 70s had an awkward moment with the content of that otherwise gentle, bluesy, and sensible pop song, then the color would have been absolutely drained from host and guest face alike when the chorus of “Rednecks” set in. Newman’s dedication to voice, satire, political intent is as punk rock in Good Old Boys as any punk rocker ever was. But even more so, the empathy he shows here—his ability to actually stand in the shoes of the good-old-boy, Southern characters he sketches and breathes life into across this album—makes that satire even harder hitting. It forces the listener to embody a place, a person, a history, and to reckon with a responsibility we all have for the pervasive racism of this country whether in the South, North, East, West…everywhere. That the songs are so stunningly beautiful—“Louisana 1927” is as fine a Randy Neman song I can think of and it has soundly soundtracked these last few months of California 2023 rain for me—makes the satire, history, and characters in this album bright and brilliant beacons. It makes the whole story go down easy, even as it gets hard to swallow. I don’t know how he quite achieves that. And I can’t think of anything else quite like it. Certainly a favorite album of mine. I hope anyone who hadn’t heard this album before and who had gotten into the easy routine of jamming through these 1001 albums each day had a head turning moment with this one! It’s definitely one that benefits from some time spent with it. Malcolm Gladwell did a great Revisionist History podcast on it a few years ago, I recommend checking it out. 5/5.

Hearing Randy Newman say the N word is just way too weird. I truly only know him from Disney work, so it's interesting to hear how that's really HIS sound that Disney 100% just latched on to for toy story and monsters inc hahah. His voice, The piano, the brass, carnival-y instruments at times, all of it! It's catchy folk stuff. I like it!

An inventory of the dirtiest undies in the American laundry basket, arrayed with trenchant humour and rousing arrangements. It's satire that can be called neither scurrilous or mean, simply because it's true. The poor, the rich, the dumb, the educated, the celebrated, and the elected from both sides of the mason-dixon line are implicated in confecting a uniquely American brand of racial and social inequity and iniquity.

Are you fucking kidding me with this shit? Randy Newman? It's fine, but why is it on this list? What is special or innovative or interesting about this album? Every single one of his songs sounds the same, and there are soooo many songs on this album. I just don't understand what it is about this album that I'm supposed to give a shit about. 1/5. Fuck you, Randy Newman

It’s possible to make a concept album about the American South without repeatedly using a word white people should not, under any circumstances, be saying. Really.

It’s not that I don’t like the music, it’s that he’s way too comfortable dropping slurs like that.

I'm pretty sure it's a generational thing but every Randy Newman song sounds like a movie soundtrack to me. Thanks, Pixar. That said, there's definitely some ground covered here that's not going to find its way into a Disney flick. As someone from the south, I think Newman does a masterful job of skewering the worst of what passes for "southern culture" while showing compassion and understanding for the rest. It feels very authentic to my experience growing up in the south and it's made all the more palatable wrapped in Newman's specific brand of upbeat style and expert delivery.

i went into this knowing that it was singer/songwriter focused on satire, politics, history, etc etc. so i made sure to read the lyrics as i listened so that they wouldn't just pass me by like they usually do. sonically this is pretty, but not like, amazing or anything. lyrically, i can see what this is trying to do, and appreciate it (especially on songs like redneck or louisiana 1927 where it's more focused), but overall i think it's a little shallow? quite a few of these songs either don't really have anything to do with the theme at all, or are just sorta silly. maybe i dont have the context required to appreciate naked man and a wedding in cherokee county? if i was rating this on a purely sonic level it'd be, like, a high 7 or a looow 8, but the lyrics alternate between demanding too much attention and not meaning much at all, so to me they just bring the album down! still good, but not great. 7/10

I'm not sure I like spicy Toy Story...

I do not like Randy Newman.

Je tenais dans ce review à réagir à la dernière note attribuée par mon camarade d'écoute l'insipide robespierre. En effet, ce dernier a defrayé la chronique en attribuant la simple note de 2/5 au dernier album de Bob Dylan, Highway 61 Revisited. Même si cette note est evidemment choquante, il y a des explications à aller chercher dans l'enfance de rob. Mais laissez moi vous raconter son histoire. Je connais rob depuis maintenant de nombreuses années, comme déjà expliqué dans plusieurs de mes reviews que vous suivez assidûment. Il faut savoir que rob a pendant longtemps tenté de devenir un chanteur du générateur, venant ennuyer tout le monde avec sa guitare de merde. Or, à cette époque, rob ne se contentait que de jouer des reprises de Bob Dylan. La qualité étant vous vous en doutez plus que douteuse, rob n'a jamais percé, et garde depuis cette époque une rancune tenace à l'égard de Bob Dylan, le tenant pour responsable de son échec. Un jour, il m'a même déclaré "Si j'avais choisi de faire des reprises de Hugh Masekala, je serai au moins deux fois plus connu aujourd'hui". J'acquiesai pour ne pas le vexer, en lui demandant de lâcher mon bras par la même occasion. Cette note n'est donc pas représentative de la qualité de l'album de Dylan, elle est seulement teintée de subjectivité et de haine.

keeping the nigels down. you can't go singing about keeping the nigels down in these woke times even if you are doing a sacha baren cohen switcheroo thing. nigels lives matter. this is americas pale imitation of chas and dave.

Even as satire using the n word in a song hasn’t aged well

oh man, I really dont know what to think about this. I think firstly I dont appreciate the implication of southern = dumb, so this feels a little like punching down to me. Similar to short people honestly. I suppose the music sounds very Newman if you're into his vibe.

These are, without a doubt, some of music's songs. Truly one of the albums, even!

very cool, toy story man

El tema back on my feet again, dije esteee temaaa me suena a otro de una peli animada muy famosa.. y claramente lo es.. Es el que hizo el tema de un gran amigo fiel de toy story. El disco me está gustando mucho. Me sorprendió.

edgy classic american songwriting

Listening to 'Good Old Boys' by Randy Newman was a truly unique experience for me. I remember the first time I heard this album as someone who wasn't familiar with Newman's work beyond his contributions to the Toy Story soundtracks. It completely blew me away, from that point forward I thought so so so much higher of Randy as a songwriter (not that I didn't already regard him as a good one!) Tracks like 'Rednecks' and 'Mr. President (Have Pity On the Working Man)' stood out to me with their stirring social commentary and great piano playing. The album's centerpiece (in my mind) is 'Marie'. Yes, I know 'Rednecks' establishes the whole concept of this album and really turns heads with it lyrics. 'Marie' is just a beautifully sad piano ballad that will always stick with me. That realization the narrator has at the end about how he failed his lover is just so heartbreaking. 'Naked Man' and 'Rollin'' were also memorable tracks that told great stories stories. The former a recounting of the wild and crazy Naked Man who reminds me of a typical "bad" homeless encounter. The latter being, in my mind, a great closer to the album showing that the narrator is content with just sitting on his easy chair drinking some whisky. 'Good Old Boys' is a fantastic album. Randy's storytelling and piano-playing is just on point. He isn't afraid to touch on social problems that are deep-rooted while also adding a little bit of tongue-in-cheek fun to the mix. He's not making fun OF these topics, he's making fun WITH these topics. That's not easy. The music itself is also outstanding, with great brass backing and other musical elements that really elevate each track. This one's a high 4 rounded up to a 5 for me.

stirring, thoughtful, somehow so of its time and yet progressive and southern and just cool man i dig this

Daring, witty and biting. Breezy and accessible, but smartly and elegantly arranged. Randy Newman has a true gift for crafting songs that feel lived in and authentic, but are pointed in their satire. It's not something we expect to hear much in pop music and Newman has really carved out a niche in the genre that no one else really occupies. Newman wants you to understand why Johnny Cutler is the way he is, without letting him (or Southerners) off the hook for any of it. And while he's at it, Newman makes clear that politicians and white Northerners' hands aren't clean either. This a surprisingly clear eyed view on this subject, decades before the idea of systemic racism was commonly discussed. It's nuanced in the way satire often is, in a way that would be immediately misunderstood were the album to come out today. I almost went for a 4, but this is such a singular work, such a testament to Newman's talents and what you can accomplish with music. And, even with the subject matter, these songs are great fun to hear. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite): Guilty, Marie, Louisiana 1927, A Wedding in Cherokee County, Back on My Feet Again, Rednecks, Kingfish, Birmingham, Naked Man, Rollin', Mr. President (Have Pity on the Working Man), Every Man a King

Scathing!

Again, gut-punching lyrics hidden in affable music. And sometimes affable lyrics with gut-punching effect. It's pretty amazing.

So many complicated feelings. I feel like I've been kicked in the teeth while listening to some pretty piano playing. Oh, Randy Newman, nobody does satire like you.

Interesting jump from guy who wrote the Toy Story Music to Rednecks, but still retains the same sound in both sounds. Rednecks is a too long of a convo for this review, but its definitely a song worth listening to, thinking and having a convo about

Holy shit!

Disney music feat. several drops of the N-word. A match made in heaven. It's catchy. It's probably the same song repeated 12 times. It works.

Vocals sound like Ray Charles at times. Some piano ragtime influences. Commentary on the deep south. N word used repeat6in first song Redneck

Pretty cool album, I like the concept, the satire, his voice, and songwriting. Good album

A nice vibe, and I like the anti-racist, America-critical lyrics. But it gets very samey, and it is downright jarring to hear Mr. Pixar Songs singing the N-word.

Randy Newman est un drôle de personnage, si vous voulez que je vous donne le fond de ma pensée. Comme vous le savez depuis bien longtemps, eltrapeze n'est autre que mon compagnon d'écoute sur ce générateur. Le moins que l'on puisse dire est que je ne l'ai jamais tenu en haute estime. L'anecdote que je m'apprête à vous raconter, je ne pensais jamais la dévoiler. Le simple fait de la rendre publique tournerait l'intéressé en ridicule pour le restant de ses jours. Mais, au vu des attaques qu'il m'a adressées dans sa dernière critique, je suis dans l'obligation de lui répondre. L'histoire remonte à 2015. eltrapeze et moi devons en juin de cette même année passer notre examen final afin d'obtenir le précieux sésame qu'est le diplôme de connaisseur de musique. Hasard ou non, pour la première épreuve, je suis convoqué à 13h15, et eltrapeze à 13h. Lorsque j'arrive ce jour-là devant la salle d'examen, un professeur ouvre la porte et s'exclame : « eltrapeze ?! ». Notre ami tout chétif s'avance et passe la porte avant que le professeur ne la claque. Pour vous donner plus de contexte, l'épreuve en question est divisée en deux : quinze minutes de préparation et quinze minutes de passage devant un jury de quinze professionnels. Le sujet sur lequel nous allons être interrogé fait partie des cinq suivants: De qui Mike Ladd est-il le fils ? Entre Isaac Hayes et Marvin Gaye, lequel des deux est le plus sexuel ? Reproduisez la position signature d'Iggy Pop. Qui est le chef de file du genre homosexual pop ? Mimez sa gestuelle. Le Sujet Mystère. Je me retrouve donc à attendre une quinzaine de minutes avant que la porte ne s'ouvre de nouveau. Une élève que je connais de vue pour l'avoir cotoyée en 3ème baroque-pop sort alors de la salle en larmes. « Robbachelière ?! » s'écrie le professeur, passant sa tête à travers la porte. J'entre alors dans la fameuse salle et m'avance vers le jury qui me tend cinq bouts de papier. J'en pioche un au hasard et le retourne. Il s'agit du Sujet Mystère. Ce sujet est un peu particulier dans le sens où son dévoilement n'est prévu qu'au moment de passer devant le jury. Je m'en vais alors prendre place sur une table du fond de la salle, sors un stylo et commence tout de même à brouillonner quelques notes. « C'est à vous, eltrapeze. » lance alors l'un des examinateurs. Notre ami sursaute et, après quelques secondes de concentration, se lève de sa chaise puis s'avance vers son auditoire. « À mon top, vous aurez quinze minutes pour nous reproduire la position signature d'Iggy Pop. Top ! » eltrapeze parait à ce moment précis complètement déboussolé. Il hésite, se gratte la tête, se ronge quelques ongles ; on souffre pour lui. Il se décide soudain à lever un pied et à tendre lentement ses bras vers le ciel. Une fois stable, il maintient sa position. Les membres du jury échangent alors des regards dubitatifs. « C'est Iggy Pop, ça ?! » lance l'un d'eux. eltrapeze semble totalement anéanti mais ne se démonte pas. Il repose le pied au sol, baisse les bras puis tente une toute nouvelle position. Il écarte les jambes, penche son corps vers l'avant et pose ses doigts sur le bout de ses chaussures. « On parle bien du Iggy Pop des Stooges, hein ?.. Hein eltrapeze ?! » lui crie-t-on. Ce dernier se redresse et laisse apparaître un visage baigné de transpiration. Son corps entier se met soudain à trembler devant l'indifférence la plus totale des membres du jury. Il s'écroule alors sur le sol et se retrouve bientôt baigné dans une flaque d'urine de sa propre provenance. Deux infirmiers entrent alors et débarrassent la salle de son corps inconscient. « Bien, Robbachelière, c'est à vous. À mon top, vous prendrez connaissance du sujet mystère et aurez quinze minutes pour y répondre. Top : Quel chanteur s'est fait connaître en hurlant à la mort après s'être coincé sa coupe mulet dans les cordes de sa guitare électrique en plein enregistrement de son album Nebraska ? » J'esquisse un sourire et réponds avec sérénité : « C'est Bruce Springsteen, bien sûr. » Le jury se lève alors comme un seul homme et applaudit ma réponse pendant les quatorze minutes restantes de mon passage.

Me thinking about Rednecks: y'know, this is pretty good satire for 1974. Making fun of northerners stereotyping southerners as racist despite engaging in de facto segregation is a cool thing to do in your opening song. Me listening to Rednecks: wow Randy Newman says the n-word a LOT and also says it in a way that seems like he's kinda savoring it.

I liked this a lot more than the previous Newman on here. Easy to dismiss as "Toy Story but racist", but the empathy seems genuine and the song quality is high, good tunes. A pleasant surprise

This is the original version of the Toy Story soundtrack based on the first draft of the script where Woody is a horrific racist and a raging alcoholic

The winsome rubberiness of Newman's voice called me back, so dispelling the suspicion of kitsch and corn I held over the songs. Deceptively easy, they have splinters and the odd refrain I found myself singing back.

did the toy story guy just say the n-word with a hard r????????????????

This is a difficult one to review. At first I thought it was overtly racist, but I do believe it's a critique of racism, after reading the lyrics. Still a white person saying the n word makes me uncomfortable, even if he's actually pointing out how racist both northern's and southerners were. I saw someone describe this as dinner party music that will never be played at a dinner party because it will offend the dinner party. It's pretty accurate. I'm not typically seeking out that vibe. I like the vocals, I like the instrumentation ok. Has a new orlean's meets disney vibe lol. But I don't think satire works well in music. It doesn't come across as easy as in other mediums.

Interesting trolling

Like listening to the soundtrack of some messed up Disney Pixar movie.

Lasted half way. Not sure I was really hoping to hear Woody from toy story mug off the southern states before I die but fair enough. Happily will erase this from my memory now.

Randy's lyrics are basic and have the nuance of the blaring rays of the summertime Sun.

If I could give it 0 stars I would.

First song has several repetitions of a white guy saying the N word. I stopped listening once I noticed, I'd rather not send any royalties Randy's way. I get that this album is the 70s, but I'm not.

Like toy story but hellish

I know its satirical but I can't get over some of the lyrics.

Nah

This is not an album I needed to hear before I died.

Highly literate, wholly convincing mixture of biting and tender songs.

This is one of the most brilliant albums that I've heard and the first best album that has been recommended that I hadn't already heard

I loved it. It sounds like all my childhood favorite movie soundtracks but slightly different. interesting opening song. not sure what to think

Wow the only record of his I own. Being from the south, there isn’t much music outside of country that turns its focus down here. I can’t think of a better album to represent the old south Rating: 4.9

A warts and all exploration of the south told by a master storyteller. Great stuff that will get under your skin.

Great blues album, about hardships of being black in the deep south. Great message and great sound

Can almost give this a 5 for “Rednecks” alone. Ballsy, patriotic, and heart-crushingly tender, this album is a true salute to the Deep South. I would have loved to hear it performed in Georgia, with Newman conducting the Atlanta Orchestra.

I totally was into this album. Sarcasm! an indictment of the current system ( at the time) in politics. And very unapologetic about dealing with racism in the moment. I will listen to this album again because it is great music and very entertaining. Loved it way more than I thought I would.

So pleasant and easy to throw on and let ride

Randy Newman is an amazing songwriter. I was really looking forward to the album. Then that first song came on. And I was like "wait, did he just say what I _HEARD_ him say?" I had to go look up the song and understand the context. I mean "Rednecks," right? Obviously, a song like this would have been different now. Heck, I remember when "Cop Killer" came out by Body Count (remember that pleasant little ditty?). It was not supposed to be singing about killing police, but playing a role. Same kind of thing here for that first track. It's not Newman is singing about being a redneck, but roleplaying. Still it's hard to wrap my head around. And I know it would not have been received so well in today's society. The other songs are classic Randy Newman. It's just that first song will make you pause without context, you know? Still going to give it 5 starts, but yikes.

This album was fantastic! Before today, I had only known Randy's work with Toy Story and Monsters Inc. This album strayed from that quite a bit with the first song!! Redneck is the first song on the album, and is sung from the perspective of a racist from the southern US. The N-word comes out a few times, which shocked the shit out of me, given all I knew of Randy. Redneck was an amazing song that was a sadly true glimpse at the state of things in the southern US in the 70's. Randy is such a fantastic storyteller. He had such a way to paint vibrant pictures with his lyrics. Through his lyrics he spins storys complete with humour, love, and political issues. I thoroughly enjoyed this album today, and will definately listen again! Favourite songs: Back On My Feet Again, Redneck, Louisiana 1927, Birmingham, Kingfish, A Wedding in a Cherokee County, Naked Man Least favourite song: Every Man A King 5/5

randy newman says the n word lol

Loved it. Great lyrics, music. Loved Marie

He is one of the best ever

Oh hey, it's the toy story guy.

Love itttt

That first song caught me off guard. Once I learned it was satire it was better.

racy themes great songwriting

Easy 5!

what a racist

Delicious lyrics and quirky orchestration!

god DAMN! I love you Randy ❤️ 10/10

"ahhh cool an album by the Toy Story guy, this ought to be fun and innocent" ---Opening Song--- "Uhm, this must have been about Woody's sordid past, lets go watch Monster's Inc. instead"

Surprise rage from Randy

I had a cassette tape of the Blues Brothers growing up and one song done by John Belushi was Guilty. I always thought it was the perfect song for him but had no clue where it came from until now. This was phenomenal. I almost did a spit take at Rednecks. This is powerful song writing. I had no clue Randy Newman had done this.

I am a sucker for albums that explore history and regional identity which is one of the reasons Sufjan Stevens is one of my favorite artists. This album by Randy Newman combines that historical regionalism with a biting satire which animates the institutional racism in the south and the hypocrisy of the north. There are some beautifully earnest songs on the album as well which seems to suggest that Newman is sympathetic to the humanity of his subjects while acknowledging the societal issues they take part in and reinforce. The result is a stunning album that portrays the American South as a complex backdrop. Musically, Newman is unique. During the 70s, he was not afraid to feature dancehall and musical theatre influences in his music which works to great effect here. His film/tv composition background is on full display and he utilizes it to ground his lyrics in very American forms of music.

I enjoyed this one very much.

Well, I wasn’t expecting this so soon after Sail Away, early Christmas present I guess. It’s albums like this that make me appreciate how far we still have to go. It’s easy to forget sometimes, but the Civil Rights movement in the USA was only 60 years ago. I kinda don’t want to get into anything too heavy on Christmas morning, so I’m just gonna say that Rednecks is one of the greatest works of political satire ever written, both the chorus and the second verse just hit like sledgehammers every time. And every other song is just great. Newman is able to be both acidic and sympathetic towards his characters, which is the best thing a writer can attempt to be

Excellent follow up to “Sail Away”.

I keep underestimating Randy Newman. All the charm of the Toy Story soundtrack with some very pointed, biting lyrics that really pull no punches. After nearly 50(!) years these lyrics are often shocking, juxtaposing wildly with those Toy Story expectations I get from the music. But I ended up really impressed. Another great album from Randy Newman.

meh

didn't know he was the toy story guy, not bad at all

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAerKsv-BvM

I know Randy from his film scores. Pretty good album!

Not sure i can sing along with that... a pretty incredible storyteller type album, both satire and situational. Randy Newman has a great casual delivery that hides the seriousness and dark wit. Strong music and melody. This is good.

I need more time to.lusten to it. I think I like it.

Randy Newman is awesome. How many years ago and "Rednecks" still applies. "we don't know our ass from a hole in the ground" - doesn't apply to the South alone in America, not by a longshot... This music is great - the second Randy album we've had in the first ~500 - again, the kind of music I would have stopped listening to around age 9 and re-appreciated in middle age. Melodic, purposeful, piano-driven, outstanding musical composition, and hilarious (in a sigh-goddammit-pour-a-whiskey way). First pass through it didn't hit me quite as hard as "Sail Away" did but further listens have gotten me to listen more deeply - feel like it will keep growing on me. worthy of a keeper and a very high 4 at minimum... 9/10 4 stars.

27th January 2022 Listened while going to and from the gym mainly. Love the simplicity, humour and warmth. 4.5 if I could.

What an interesting album. So beautiful and touching and after reading about it the lyrics are a lot less shocking. That said, would I listen to this album repeatedly? I’m not sure about that.

Corrupted Disney. I did like the musical arrangements, but "rednecks" was a shock to the system.

Pretty solid

I like Randy Newman. He's not my favorite but it's easy to listen to.

This was a really enjoyable album that I had a lot of fun with. I haven’t listened to much Randy Newman, but I could see liking him.

Rollicking and clever. I confess that as wonderful as I find him, Randy Newman songs tend to blend together but in this case I found all the tracks distinct.

Folk-rock con piano. Está bien.

Solid concept album. Weird to hear as someone who grew up in the 2000's because all I hear when he speaks is Monsters Inc. and Toy Story. I actually though thought that this album had no bad tracks. My personal favorites here were "Kingfish", "Marie", "Rollin'", "Rednecks" and "Every Man A King". A really great album that I completely unexpected because of my personal experiences with the artist. A solid 8.5/10.

I like

Liked it more than I thought I would

It all sounds the same, but it's a nice listen.