Sail Away

How? How is there more than one Randy Newman album on this list? I haven't gotten a single John Coltrane album, not a single Charles Mingus album, but I have now gotten two Randy Newman albums. Fuck Randy Newman. His voice sounds like an inflatable bear with a slow leak. It sounds like Satan talking after inhaling helium. It is the auditory version of sitting down too long until your sciatic nerve falls asleep. The worst part of any Randy Newman song is all of the fucking Randy Newman. 2/5. The only reason this is not a 1 is because I kinda like You Can Leave Your Hat On. Fuck Randy Newman

RaNdY NeWmAn DoEs DiSnEy SoNgS. What a weak, embarrassing take.

Not bad, but I just couldn't escape the feeling that I was listening to a Disney soundtrack.

He may not be the greatest singer, but Randy Newman is a brilliant songwriter and I think his voice works incredibly well with his writing style. At this point in his career, he's probably thought of mostly as a movie score/song composer. His ascerbic wit is on full display on this album. I think it's great even though my 2 favorite songs of his (Mama Told Me Not to Come and I Love LA) aren't on this record.

Sail Away is another addition to the long list of songs that could be a genre labeled "Talking to Americans" if Rick M didn't already own that title. It reminds me of seeing Springsteen and the biggest US flag imaginable dropped as he opened with Born in the USA. Of course if you just saw the flag and listened to the chorus, you might think the song was pro USA. Hell, Reagan invited Bruce to the White House to perform it. Sail Away contains a similar facade of the wonderful USA and if you don't know either the relevance of Charleston Bay or what the word "wog" means, you might replace your poppy with a Stars and Stripes lapel pin, put on your MAGA hat and go about about your day with blissful ignorance.

This was such a solid album. I was actually surprised with how much I enjoyed it and I look forward to listening to it again later. From the lyrics along, I really couldn't figure out if Mr. Newman was for or against religion, or perhaps specifically against organized religion? I really started to questions things at God's Song (That's Why I Love Mankind). I may have to listen to the album a few times before I understand.

I love this album. Randy Newman is such a clever songwriter. Favorite song is Political Science

Yusss. It can take a while to ‘get’ Randy Newman or take him seriously, but once it clicks it’s worth it. There’s humour. There’s satire. There are piercing home truths and humdrum observations side-by-side. There’s a blend of orchestral/New-Orleans-y ragtime pop that you don’t really get from anyone else. I think what I like most is that while his default position might be mockery, I reckon there’s plenty of affection and sincerity too. There are enough classics here to guarantee a 4. Does the rest of the album push it into genuine 5-star territory? I’m not sure; but as a devout Randy fan there was always going to be some rounding up involved. Wish he’d stop cancelling gigs I’m supposed to go to though.

Randy Newman is a genius.

I really like this one! I would consider downloading this one for listening again.

Randy is fun. I like when he observes things as they happen, or just says whatever comes to mind. A lovely “ear wash” after goddamn Slipknot

I’m not too familiar with Randy Newman and didn’t know what to expect. This album was a biting satire that sent up American exceptionalism and even flirted with the absurd. I’m also quite partial to Los Angeles orchestral pop so this album appealed to me musically as well. Overall this was a perfect album for me.

Taken by complete surprise. The writing on here is just so ridiculously good. A real treat.

My first memory of Randy Newman was as a little kid and "Short People" was being played all over and I just didn't get it - why was this guy so mean to short people? Of course my dad had to explain the satire to me and once I got it, I loved it. That was pretty much the last I'd heard Randy Newman outside the random cut (e.g. "I Love L.A.") as he would never really again be played on my rock radio stations. So when I discovered this album "Sail Away" only a few years ago it blew me away. Starting off with the title track "Sail Away" is pure genius - one of the saddest songs I've ever heard for obvious reasons when you quickly realize what it's really about. I'm not sure I would have been able to appreciate this album when I was a little younger but I'm a huge fan - the music is tremendous; occasionally to me sounding like Broadway tunes for people who really don't like Broadway tunes (mea culpa). I enjoy the *sound* of this record - the clarity and simplicity of the production centered around Newman's piano and voice while accented by perfect accompaniments - of particular note is Ry Cooder's slide guitar on "Last Night I Had a Dream." And Newman is the rare songwriter who just through his unique voice actually makes me listen to the lyrics which are most often brilliantly satirical - poking fun at religion, nationalism, exceptionalism - fits comfortably in with my worldview :) As one who is mostly a rock fan first and foremost, I absolutely love everything about this album - perhaps because it gives me a curveball in my listening habits - and there are no missteps in this whatsoever. 9/10 5 stars.

God's Song nets this baby a 5 alone. Randy is the GOAT there are half a dozen classics on here

Unexpectedly Great!

I have lived with these songs since I was a kid. Part of the soundtrack of my life.

A songwriting masterclass. On the surface, it feels bright and smiley but there's darkness and shadows everywhere. This is what I want from a 70s LA record.

Singer/song-writers are not always the favorite for this reviewer. There is no exception here with Randy Newman. While the talent of putting music and words together is an oversimplification of what Randy Newman does here, the bottom line for this review is the question of "Why?" Why is this important? This album is track after track of walking into a conversation that has been happening for some time, no context, no circling back, each song having its own self-contained continuity stoking zero interest as to whether or not the listener should care to listen. Truthfully, the mindset going into this album was one of open-minded and intentional patience, but that only asked the second question: "How?" How is this important, and to what degree of impact did this have on the world of music? No denigration of Mr. Newman or his music is intended here, a limited number of humans have his talent to tell a story and play the piano at the same time. In terms of an album though, this would probably have more appreciation at a dive bar, or lounge, complete with spirits and smokes. By all means, this should not discourage someone else from listening to the album, it was simply not for this listener.

cool

I guess I'd forgotten that Randy Newman did anything but Pixar movie music and "Short People," and that's too bad. These were songs to listen to again and again, each time finding those brilliant little hidden gotchas that lurk under the affable, delightful surface.

This is very fine storytelling. And not just in the lyrics. The music itself tells a story. It is no surprise that Newman has been so successful as a film composer. His songs themselves are cinematic. The opening and closing tracks are deviously beautiful: lovely melodies bring you in and then the lyrics kick you in the teeth. I'm sure I knew it at some point but maybe I'd forgotten that Newman wrote "You Can Leave Your Hat On." Listening to this album, it struck me how similar Randy Newman and Tom Waits are. I would love an album where they cover each other's tunes.

I love Randy Newman, probably one of the sharpest, cynical, funny songwriters in American popular music. That he can combine drollery with poignancy, often in the same song, is impressive; married to lovely, jazzy piano arrangements, it's stellar. Sure, he's got a funny voice. It fits the music. Would a song about the slave trade like 'Sail Away' fly today? It's probably too glib to suit today's climate, despite its brilliance. A great collection of characterful songs by one of the best to ever do it.

Oh I know this song. And this one. Oh he wrote this one too? Wowsers. I feel poorly educated for not knowing Randy Newman's catalogue. My bad. And having such a unique voice, what a talent. No need to keep your hat on Randy, go flaunt it.

I absolutely loved this album, and I had never heard it before. The arrangement was so clever, the lyrics were so wonderful and touching and thought provoking. I will definitely add this to my rotation.

I think I've probably only heard Randy's music because of Toy Story, but this wasn't at all what I expected. Loved the satire.

This album is amazing, Randy Newman has such a talent at writing these beautiful, emotional pieces that’s probably why disney had him write so many soundtracks 10/10

Great lyrics, great mood, so chill, one of a kind voice

I had a previous Randy Newman album that kind of rubbed me the wrong way - felt like a cabaret Elvis Costello - so I was reticent when this came up - but this is a hooter of an album - clever witty fun - with my favourite song of the month Political Science firmly setting the scene. Loved it.

I enjoyed this. Plinky plonky storytelling.

Un excellent album de la part de notre ami Randy. Mention spéciale à l'interlude précédant You Can Leave Your Hat On au cours duquel on entend Jean-Luc Reichmann s'écrier "C'est la question COOO... C'est la question IIIIIIIINE..... C'est la fameuse question coquine...." sous les applaudissements rythmés du public.

Well, they say the world's your oyster Man, but oysters ain't for me You're the belle of the ball But you ain't my cup of tea They always vote you Best in Show But this doggie disagrees 'Cause I like life in Paddy's Pub... There's a place for me, it's the place I go Where the beer is cheap, and the lights are low It's Paddy's Pub I like Paddy's Pub Let the record show The greatest place to go Is that bar called Paddy's Pub... [Harmonica Solo] I like life in Paddy's Pub...

I just can't get past my distain for Newman's singing voice

As a God fearing American, this was pretty g— Just kidding, this was boring and weirdly religious. Uncle Randy with the increasingly common L

Newman and his honky-tonk, Ray Charles-dreaming piano, off-beat lyrics, drinking songs to intricate to drink to. Aiming for a wry smile.

Have never been able to get into Randy Newman. All his songs sound exactly the same to me.

Can’t stand Randy Newman. He’s ruined most of Pixar.

Oh no not this MF again. Here we go toy storying again. I don’t like this guy, i gave his last album a two and i will give this one a 1. please stop putting this guy in front of me. my patience are starting to run thin

Gotta 😆 in the first 10 seconds I heard “you Got a Friend “ in my mind and BAM it is the same artist!!

F'n Randy Newman... just... no. Even I have some standards.

Brilliant songwriting. Randy Newman, the geeky looking kid who turns out to be the smartest person in the room. A biting, rye sense of humor with a tender heart underneath it all. This is 5 stars all the way.

Here's an artist I should know a lot more about, so I'm glad to have him on the 1001 list (twice!). This was great. Caustic, unapologetic, funny, Newman tells stories with admirable efficiency. And while the arrangements were sometimes over-the-top, they were also always right on — I realized there were these sweeping string arrangements after the fact. Loved it.

I have never heard a Randy Newman album. This is sort of a mix between "smell your own farts" and "is he being snarky or racist" type of music. This is actually a good album though. I'm not sure what all the songs are about (except Sail Away) but they are short and catchy. He can definitely write a song but I also see why he isn't everyone's cup of tea. The songs, despite being about heavy subjects, can sometimes come off as light and a bit tossed-off. I knew a few of these songs from covers by other artists. I enjoyed this one and can't decide if I want to put it in my personal collection or not.

Album number 3 for this challenge I own on vinyl, and boy, is it a good one. This will probably be the longest review I write on the site, but it's worth it when it comes to this guy. For people who don't know me, I worship at the altar of Randy Newman. Besides Bob Dylan, he's easily my favorite songwriter of all time and I feel his contributions to the pop AND rock canon rarely get their deserved due. With his old age and recurring injuries, I've come to a really harrowing realization: I'm going to cry a lot and probably shut down mentally for a few days when Randy Newman dies. To explain why I'd have such a strong emotional reaction for an 80 year old man I've never met, let me explain one key reason Randy is a legend: I don't think there's a single other songwriter that sums up the worst parts of the human psyche in a way that makes you almost sympathetic to his characters by the end. Warren Zevon is the only other example that comes to mind, and even he can get too self-centered and cynical to get the point across the same way this guy does. No, Mr. Newman uses a dopey Southern accent and New Orleans R&B piano riffs to deliver the most sobering songs about slavery, subjugation, adultery (and... dancing bear? I ran out of atrociously terrible things present).... and it's some of the most brilliant songwriting I've ever had the pleasure of hearing. Even outside of politics he's extremely compelling at writing down-to-earth and overwhelmingly human depictions of loss and grief: just listen to "Old Man" and "Memo to my Son" as proof of that. The part that makes this whole album brilliant isn't really the biting satirical tone itself, thought that plays a part. It also isn't the subjects themselves, as clever as they can be (the title track is effectively an ad roll to join the transatlantic slave trade, for example), but where this album's strength really lies is its ability to make you think. Yes, Randy's songs are case studies, but how many people do we know that act like the racists and adulterers Randy postures as? How often have we engaged in awful behavior that we tried to justify, looking like complete hypocrites ourselves? Sail Away (and any Newman record worth its salt) is a series of unflinching takes on what humans are capable of, and sometimes the world needs that mirror as a reminder to do better. Please listen to this guy's full discography, you won't regret it. I'm going to cry a lot when Randy Newman dies. 9/10

This is a dude who's seen some shit wearing a smiley plush mascot suit at a run down theme park. Harry Nilsson runs the ticket booth. The balance of levity and depth these artists can pull off is amazing, but I also really appreciate it. Like no doubt it takes commitment, resolve, and thick skin to be different. Definitely carved out his own weird brand of cool haha. Love it.

The Good: it seems we are going on a sailing trip… The Bad: nobody clearly explained to us where the trip is heading… The Ugly: once we reached our destination we realized we are all screwed… WOW. I’ve listened to this album many times over the years, but since starting this 1001 journey, at least for with several albums, I’ve started paying attention closer to what the lyrics actually mean, and this album is a gut-wrencher. I always appreciated Randy’s songs, the ones that I was very familiar with, but today I shed a tear during the ¨Old Man¨ song, what a harsh story he is telling there. And most of the songs on this album are just that, in your face, harsh stories, but told with such simple charm that you need to really make an effort to find out what’s really going on. And by that time, you can but only applaud the genius of Randy. 5*

9/10. Great album. Sail Away is fantastic and no real drop off from there.

I really enjoy the melancholy nostalgia that I hear in Randy Newman’s voice. It brings a lump to my throat without really trying.

This album is a masterpiece of sardonic wit and musical craftsmanship. Newman's signature piano-driven melodies provide the backdrop for his cynical, yet insightful lyrics that explore themes of power, corruption, and the American Dream. Songs like "Sail Away" and Good Old Boys" offer biting social commentary, while tracks like "Lonely at the Top" and "Last Night I had a Dream" delve into the darker aspects of the human psyche. The albums' blend of humor and pathos makes it a timeless classic.

Randy Newman is one of America's GOAT songwriters - taking history, politics, religion, humanity, and family to task with a scathing yet subtle wit on some songs and bathing us in warm wholesome ditties on other. This album rules.

Such a wonderful songwriter and composer. I enjoyed this, especially his ability to create characters in the lyrics. It makes sense that he was so good at film scores since so many of his compositions are 3rd party storytelling.

The more I listen to this album the more I’m in awe of his truly singular songwriting ability and performance style. His tunes are often hilarious (probably the most consistently funny non-joke-song songwriter) but also sometimes heartbreakingly beautiful, bc he is able to paint an honest (and ugly) picture of how people think, feel and treat (mistreat) one another.

Sail Away deliberately uses a hopeful gospel melody to hide the dark truth of the lyrics, while Political Science presents a humourous critique of American exceptionalism that is still relevant 50 years later. Also there's a song about a dancing bear.

The most interesting thing about this album is the lyrics, which cover a broad range of subjects like the slave trade, U.S. foreign policy and religion. Newman sings the songs with a semi-spoken delivery in his usual sweetly sardonic voice and the brass and strings sound like a Broadway musical. It's fascinating stuff but it's appeal is limited.

Great artist, great voice, loved the pace

I’m surprised by how much I like this

This was really great. My first introduction to Randy Newman was the song ”Burn On” which appeared at the beginning of the movie Major League. I grew up in Cleveland and I love baseball, so I’ve always had a fondness for that track. But the more I heard Newman’s music, the more I really got what he was about. There’s really nobody else like him - maybe Tom Waits shares some of that same type of storytelling DNA. But it’s clear from this album why RN is distinct and revered.

loved it!

I know it’s more than Toy Story but it’s all I can see!

Fabulous

I love Randy Newman but this was my first time listening to a full album. This was a great listen, highly recommend to anyone

This was delightful. I was a child when Toy Story came out and only new Randy Newman from that soundtrack. I always wondered how he could work as a popular musician. Turns out it's by writting short but involved pieces with biting satire. I don't know if this is the peak of his powers but Political Science and Simon Smith had me rolling. There's little I love more than someone smiling while they tell you to go f--- yourself.

I discovered Randy Newman in 1977, when “Sort People” was a hit. I wondered at the time how so many people could miss the point that it was a song that tore down prejudice. I picked up the album, and loved it. Then I picked up his previous album “Good Old Boys”, and really enjoyed it, also. New man’s lyrics are cutting, and cynical, and tend towards demonstrating absurd by being absurd, often not in an especially nice way (“Short People” and “Rednecks” are good examples). Anyway, on to Sail Away: I know (and own) 3 of the songs here, the title track, “…Hat On” and “Political Science”. All are brilliant. Musically, this has an old-time sound, pretty relaxed. Primarily piano and strings, sometimes lapsing into an almost New Orleans / slow-ragtime feel. I don’t know music theory, but the piano is captivating neat little melodies. It is all very concise, 12 songs in 30 minutes. Newman has a tendency to present these cynical, sarcastic observations on human life, then kick you in the gut with a crushingly sad song. “Old Man” is such a song, a song about dying alone (or almost alone). It is all wonderful but it is also music you need to pay attention to, to think about. Bottom line: 5/5, I’ll need to fill out my collection.

Third album was the charm for Randy Newman, who really gets it right here. Great slice of life vignettes that sound as though they were written 50 years earlier, sung in Newman’s plaintive dry voice, accompanied by himself on piano or often brass band arrangements. This is Americana before there was such a thing.

Jeez. I understand why Pixar hired him. Even writing solo, every song feels like a villain introduction. Incredible.

Randy Newman just casually gets it.

I didn't expect to like this album. I thought it would be twee and corny but it has depth. I mean, wade through a few 80s/90s electronica records and you'll give extra points to any album just for using actual instruments, but I wasn't expecting to shed a little tear on the bus to work

One of the most interesting musicians of the past 60 years who will now forever be most known for the least interesting part of his artistic output. You just can’t sing along to a lot of his songs depending on who the particular narrator is.

If the goal of this entire project is to get me to find new music that I’d actually listen to again and again then this is it… 5 stars- super light and relaxing and fun

Randy Newman is perhaps the most talented composer who has the ability to weave in factoids of life that either gets misconstrued, misunderstood or flies over one's head. Sail Away is the first example of Newman using the LP format to his advantage and rendering songs previously given to others back to its original (and probably preferable) form. Profoundly influential in its own way, Sail Away is the kind of album that only Randy Newman could make and, thankfully, he had plenty more up his sleeve.

Sometimes being snuck up on is a kindness. This Newman is in every way less calculated, less cohesive. That makes it all the more American. Constant anxiety about sliding from atop, predictable results disguised in cynicism and two-minute pop song fluff.

Always love me some Randy Newman

I'm actually astounded at how much I liked this. I've never listened to Randy Newman before, I mostly know him as this un-serious caricature of a performer. This really took me by surprise and I'm definitely going to listen to more of his stuff.

Mellow, introspective, and fantastic.

Goddamn brilliant - captures more about American life and history than I learned in all of my years in school

Political Science is one of the all time great satires. This is a great album.

Beautiful composition throughout the album, has a feel of orchestral music yet with pop/rock/blues influences. Amazing pianowork and I didn’t know you can leave your hat on was initially recorded by him.

This is a very nostalgic album for me. It reminds me of my Stepfather and the tremendous impact he had on my musical horizons. He was always exposing me to music such as this, that was just outside of my capability to fully grasp initially, but which grew on me over time when I was eventually able to start putting the pieces together for myself. Not to say that I didn't enjoy this straight away as a teenager though. My high school friends and I felt somewhat out of phase with our present era - old souls perhaps - so Randy Newman's more timeless, less rock oriented sound appealed to us in that way. Randy is fucking vicious, he just wraps it up in these beautiful arrangements so it goes down more easily. It's far more scathing that way too. Really messes with you emotionally so you're not even sure how to feel. He's a bitter motherfucker - and I feel that - and I also admire him for exploring lyrical territory very few others are brave enough to tread. He really confronts some of the darkest and most difficult corners of human weakness, hypocrisy, stupidity, evil, frailty, desire, fear, hubris, inadequacy, and sometimes even just mundaneness. He's always playing characters to voice these concerns, but you know he's in there somewhere, full of self loathing for being part of it all himself. And that's why it works - he's not above it. No matter how horrible these characters sound, he always makes it relatable, almost appealing, in some way. We're all guilty of being these imperfect, deeply flawed idiots, but at least Randy Newman recognizes it, is honest about it, and writes these gorgeous songs for us so we can at least all laugh about it.

This was very enjoyable. I found myself repeatedly asking, “Now, what film was this in?”

I like Randy Newman’s music and knew “You Can Leave Your Hat On” but the rest of this looked unfamiliar - but as I listened I kept have moments of recognition. This was a lot of fun (and a little bit of shock when you realize what some of the lyrics were about) to listen to. Really brilliant! I like this each time I’ve listened to it more and more… glad to have it in my library!

This is a brilliant album and I have always loved it

Weer zo'n album vol Randy Newman-klassiekers, de ironie druipt er weer vanaf, maar het zijn leuke jazzy songs met mooie arrangementjes. Tussen het zwarte wereldbeeld vinden we zowaar ook oprechte vrolijkheid, niet voor niets nummers die we beter als covers kennen: Simon Smith and his dancing bear en You can leave your hat on. Een soort kruising tussen Bram Vermeulen en Drs. P maar dan uit Amerika.

The simplicity of the song structures and the narrative lyrics/singing style comes together on this one so well. Opting for the piano, but not moving in the pop/soft rock direction, makes Randy stand out among his peers. His voice is unique, almost goofy at times, giving it a light-heartedness that is the polar opposite of what someone like Dylan does with his serious gravel, for example. Newman is also the master of the everyday. There's nothing epic or world historical in his lyrics, but they still transport the listener.

Beautiful. Gentle and sweet, just perfect for cooking to. I loved this. Also had not previously known that 'Simon Smith..' and 'Leave your hat on' were his songs, not those of Georgie Fame and Tom Jones. My favourite was God's Song' - very moving.

Love this album.

A kind and soft affair. It’s very own private concert.

Love Randy Newman's style, very enjoyable listen throughout

Musically charming, understatedly elegant arrangements. Sly, unsentimental, frequently cynical lyrics. Randy Newman is a treasure. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite): Sail Away, Last Night I Had a Dream, Memo to My Son, Lonely at the Top, God's Song (That's Why I Love Mankind), Political Science, You Can Leave Your Hat On, Old Man, Dayton, Ohio - 1903, He Gives Us All His Love, Burn On, Simon Smith and the Amazing Dancing Bear

Love Randy!

Sail Away ist ein kleines Meisterwerk, das seinen Hörer auf eine Achterbahnfahrt aus Satire, Empathie und introspektivem Humor mitnimmt. Randy Newman schafft es, schwierige Themen so charmant zu verpacken, dass man sich ertappt fühlt, während man lacht. Ein Album, das auch 50 Jahre später nichts von seiner Relevanz verloren hat – kurzum: ein zeitloser Klassiker mit Witz und Tiefgang!

Something about the piano and the orchestra and that dumb stupid voice of his puts a silly little smile on my face

I’m still more in the appreciation stage for Newman than I am the enjoyment stage, but damn, do I appreciate a lot of this. 3.5/5

Really liked it! Fun music

many (most?) of Randy's most well known songs. Didn't discover any new ones

Well shit Randy, I didn’t expect such cynical humour from the dude who did the Toy Story soundtrack. Forgive me, for I was not familiar with your snark. Randy crafted a hilarious album that holds a mirror up to religious Americans that gives them the opportunity to see how dumb they actually are, sadly most are too dumb to realize they are the joke. This was great fun, I really didn’t expect a tune like, Last Night I had a Dream from Randy Newman. 4 stars

Really enjoyable. Have to listen again when I can pay better attention to the lyrics.

Jazzy folk or folksy jazz, doesn't matter. Great tunes.

Blind album, know the artist from his soundtracks. Wonderfully delightful album, exactly what I would expect from such a notable name. Great track list and was very emotional and happy throughout.

11.- You can leave your hat on: striptease

Soothing and sweet. Randy Newman was just what I needed today. Great calming album.