Posts Tagged Randy Newman
Archive
July 21, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Sweetman Podcast: Episode 125 – Russell Self
Welcome to episode 125 of Sweetman Podcast with support from our sponsors – T Leaf T, Yeastie Boys and La Petite Chocolat. Here I had a chat with Russell Self. He’s a Wellington-based, English-born musician and poet. Russell’s held many jobs, let many more go, he’s been a busker, a troubadour, he recites his own poems and sings covers – he also […]Archive
March 28, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
The 1001 Albums Challenge # 47: David Ackles – “American Gothic”
Here’s one of those ones – I’d heard the name David Ackles, knew about him, knew – vaguely – what to expect, the sound, etc. I’m sure I’ve heard a few songs here and there but I do know I had never heard this – nor any of his albums right through. And wow, this blew […]Archive
March 6, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Short Story: Randy Newman
Ah, the school run – a simple joy…and a rare outing for the car this morning because *someone* was running late…so we’re in the car and listening to Randy Newman’s ‘Dark Matter’ and the boy is singing along, spitting out every word (“Putin puttin’ his pants on/One leg at a time…”) and then we are […]Archive
February 23, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Randy Newman: The Meyerowitz Stories (New And Selected) [OST]
Randy Newman The Meyerowitz Stories (New And Selected) (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) Lakeshore Records I enjoyed the film (look, it’s good not great, it’s got problems, is a bit long, is missing some actual bite but has a tender, surprising performance from Adam Sandler and has some astutely drawn observations around prickly, selfish characters). I don’t know […]Archive
December 27, 2017 by Simon Sweetman
The 1001 Albums Challenge # 22: The Beau Brummels – “Triangle”
Another great revelation here, another reason to do this challenge, to read this book and make sure I check out the albums I haven’t previously hear. I know The Beau Brummels as reference only. If I’d ever previously heard any of their music I’d never stopped to identify it; I’m sure I’ve never head them. […]Archive
July 26, 2017 by Simon Sweetman
The Songs of Randy Newman: (Part 1)
I first saw – and heard – Randy Newman talking on a documentary that was made to celebrate 20 years of Rolling Stone magazine. He was one of a few – assembled – talking heads. He said funny things like, “I don’t know how Elton John was rated but I always rated him highly. He […]Archive
July 3, 2017 by Simon Sweetman
The Vinyl Countdown # 535
V/A, The Lively Set [OST] (1964) I haven’t seen the film but now I want to. A pretty great little soundtrack this – the score and songs credited to Bobby Darin – but a great deal of it is instrumental, slinkly little surf-pop and jazz-lite numbers; Randy Newman has a co-writing credit on a track […]Archive
May 5, 2017 by Simon Sweetman
Carving It Out: Backstory and Economy in Songwriting
A couple of years ago I had a chat with Anthonie Tonnon –it was in the lead up to his then-new album, his first solo record and we got to talking about economy in songwriting, the ideas around narrative, songs that seem to be stuffed with back-story, but done in a subtle, stirring way. There are certain […]Archive
April 23, 2017 by Simon Sweetman
Harry Nilsson Was The Greatest: Who Is Harry Nilsson?
The first thing I knew about Harry Nilsson was the power-ballad Without You. Then I found out that he sung that song Coconut – the end-credits music to Reservoir Dogs. I found both those songs were on the record Nilsson Schmilsson – a record that I thought was worth buying for the title and album […]Archive
April 7, 2017 by Simon Sweetman
Kitsch or Classic: What is Your Favourite 1980s Soundtrack Album?
Here’s a very simple question for you – what is the best 1980s film soundtrack? What is your favourite? I ask this because I’ve only recently realised that I am something of a collector of film soundtracks – particularly ones from the 1980s. Obscure, obvious and all points between. You want it (or most likely […]Archive
March 13, 2017 by Simon Sweetman