"The Randy Newman Songbook" CD Box Set Out Now on Nonesuch

Browse by:
Year
Browse by:
Publish date (field_publish_date)
Submitted by nonesuch on
Article Type
Publish date
Excerpt

The Randy Newman Songbook is now available in a three-CD box set, following its recent release on vinyl. The Songbook series—comprising solo recordings of songs from throughout Newman's five-decade career—previously included two volumes, released on CD in 2003 and 2011. Sixteen additional songs from a newly released third volume, along with five bonus tracks, join those first two volumes to create this new complete Songbook box set. Mitchell Froom produced The Randy Newman Songbook, Vol. 1 (which has been remastered for this box set) and was joined on Vol. 2 and Vol. 3 by Newman's lifelong friend and colleague Lenny Waronker.

Copy

The Randy Newman Songbook is now available in a three-CD box set, following its recent release on vinyl. Nonesuch Records' Randy Newman Songbook series—comprising solo recordings of songs from throughout Newman's five-decade career—previously included two volumes, released on CD in 2003 and 2011. Sixteen additional songs from a newly released third volume, along with five bonus tracks ("Feels Like Home," "A Wedding in Cherokee County," "Family Album: Homage to Alfred, Emil and Lionel Newman," "A Few Words in Defense of Our Country," and "I'm Dreaming"), join those first two volumes to create this new complete Songbook box set. Mitchell Froom produced The Randy Newman Songbook, Vol. 1 (which has been remastered for this box set) and was joined on Vol. 2 and Vol. 3 by Newman's lifelong friend and colleague Lenny Waronker.

To get the three-CD box set or the four-LP vinyl box, head to Amazon or the Nonesuch Store, where orders include a download of the complete set at checkout.

The Daily Mail gives The Randy Newman Songbook a perfect five stars, exclaiming that "he is arguably North American music’s greatest living storyteller, and his talent shines brightly here ... If anything, his character studies are even sharper in this simpler format."

The New York Times said of the first volume of The Randy Newman Songbook: "The great craftsmanship is more apparent in the stripped-down context," and the Associated Press said, "Few singer-songwriters could inject more new life into solo piano versions of their work than Randy Newman." The UK's Uncut called Vol. 2 "another subtly sublime stroll through the master's back catalogue," noting that Newman is "owner of a peerless canon," and that the album "isolates his full range of qualities: the improbable juxtapositions of caustic topicality and heart-wrenching universality, the concise character studies, and singing and piano playing that seem to emanate from the very fabric of America."

After starting his songwriting career as a teenager, Newman began recording as a singer and pianist in 1968 with his self-titled album. Throughout the 1970s he released several other acclaimed albums such as: 12 Songs, Sail Away, and Good Old Boys. In addition to his solo recordings and regular international touring, Newman began composing and scoring for films in the 1980s. The list of movies he has worked on since then includes The Natural, Awakenings, Ragtime, all three Toy Story pictures, Seabiscuit, James and the Giant Peach, A Bug's Life, and most recently, Disney/Pixar's Monsters University, the prequel to Monsters Inc. (which he also scored).

Randy Newman's many honors include six Grammys, three Emmys, and two Academy Awards. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013—the same year he was given an Ivor Novello PRS for Music Special International Award. Mostly recently, Newman was presented with a PEN New England Song Lyrics of Literary Excellence Award in June 2014.

The highly praised 2008 Harps and Angels was Newman's first album of new material since 1999. The Austin Chronicle wrote "the characters are memorable, the satire sharp, the music luxurious, and the arrangements maybe the most gorgeous in all pop music." It was followed in 2011 by Vol. 2 of the Songbook series and a live CD and DVD recorded at London's intimate LSO St. Luke's, where he was accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Robert Ziegler. Newman is currently working on his next album of new material, which Nonesuch will release in 2017.

 

featuredimage
The Randy Newman Songbook box set [cover]

Barry (not verified)

Mon, 01/16/2017 - 11:26

This is a wonderful compilation that only Randy Newman could create. Obviously, all the people behind Randy who worked to put this set together did so with compassion and care. This three-CD box set is a special gift to Randy’s fans, old, new, and for those who have yet to discover the joys of listening to Mr. Newman’s music.

I’m writing to point out, what I consider to be a major flaw to my, and others’, enjoyment. What could that be after so many people must have reviewed this set as a product? A simple thing to many, but a significant error to my old eyes. The color of the ink font, particularly on the back of the box, effects the contrast to the point where it is essentially impossible to read without using additional light. In my case, I’m forced to read the text holding the box or CD cover in one hand and a small flashlight in the other. The contrast of the ink is so bad as to make reading in almost all ambient light awful.

For your next project, please consider the challenges for all your audiences of reading the chosen size and color of the fonts. This seemingly inconsequential choice, for a number of us, diminishes the enjoyment of reading the lyrics and text during that first listening session and subsequent sessions when looking for a song title, etc.

Thank you,

Barry Sahul

  • Friday, December 16, 2016
    "The Randy Newman Songbook" CD Box Set Out Now on Nonesuch

    The Randy Newman Songbook is now available in a three-CD box set, following its recent release on vinyl. Nonesuch Records' Randy Newman Songbook series—comprising solo recordings of songs from throughout Newman's five-decade career—previously included two volumes, released on CD in 2003 and 2011. Sixteen additional songs from a newly released third volume, along with five bonus tracks ("Feels Like Home," "A Wedding in Cherokee County," "Family Album: Homage to Alfred, Emil and Lionel Newman," "A Few Words in Defense of Our Country," and "I'm Dreaming"), join those first two volumes to create this new complete Songbook box set. Mitchell Froom produced The Randy Newman Songbook, Vol. 1 (which has been remastered for this box set) and was joined on Vol. 2 and Vol. 3 by Newman's lifelong friend and colleague Lenny Waronker.

    To get the three-CD box set or the four-LP vinyl box, head to Amazon or the Nonesuch Store, where orders include a download of the complete set at checkout.

    The Daily Mail gives The Randy Newman Songbook a perfect five stars, exclaiming that "he is arguably North American music’s greatest living storyteller, and his talent shines brightly here ... If anything, his character studies are even sharper in this simpler format."

    The New York Times said of the first volume of The Randy Newman Songbook: "The great craftsmanship is more apparent in the stripped-down context," and the Associated Press said, "Few singer-songwriters could inject more new life into solo piano versions of their work than Randy Newman." The UK's Uncut called Vol. 2 "another subtly sublime stroll through the master's back catalogue," noting that Newman is "owner of a peerless canon," and that the album "isolates his full range of qualities: the improbable juxtapositions of caustic topicality and heart-wrenching universality, the concise character studies, and singing and piano playing that seem to emanate from the very fabric of America."

    After starting his songwriting career as a teenager, Newman began recording as a singer and pianist in 1968 with his self-titled album. Throughout the 1970s he released several other acclaimed albums such as: 12 Songs, Sail Away, and Good Old Boys. In addition to his solo recordings and regular international touring, Newman began composing and scoring for films in the 1980s. The list of movies he has worked on since then includes The Natural, Awakenings, Ragtime, all three Toy Story pictures, Seabiscuit, James and the Giant Peach, A Bug's Life, and most recently, Disney/Pixar's Monsters University, the prequel to Monsters Inc. (which he also scored).

    Randy Newman's many honors include six Grammys, three Emmys, and two Academy Awards. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013—the same year he was given an Ivor Novello PRS for Music Special International Award. Mostly recently, Newman was presented with a PEN New England Song Lyrics of Literary Excellence Award in June 2014.

    The highly praised 2008 Harps and Angels was Newman's first album of new material since 1999. The Austin Chronicle wrote "the characters are memorable, the satire sharp, the music luxurious, and the arrangements maybe the most gorgeous in all pop music." It was followed in 2011 by Vol. 2 of the Songbook series and a live CD and DVD recorded at London's intimate LSO St. Luke's, where he was accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Robert Ziegler. Newman is currently working on his next album of new material, which Nonesuch will release in 2017.

     

    Journal Articles:Album ReleaseArtist News

Enjoy This Post?

Get weekly updates right in your inbox.
terms

X By submitting my information, I agree to receive personalized updates and marketing messages about Nonesuch based on my information, interests, activities, website visits and device data and in accordance with the Privacy Policy. I understand that I can opt-out at any time by emailing privacypolicy@wmg.com.

Thank you!
x

Welcome to Nonesuch's mailing list!

Customize your notifications for tour dates near your hometown, birthday wishes, or special discounts in our online store!
terms

By submitting my information, I agree to receive personalized updates and marketing messages about Nonesuch based on my information, interests, activities, website visits and device data and in accordance with the Privacy Policy. I understand that I can opt-out at any time by emailing privacypolicy@wmg.com.

Related Posts

  • Tuesday, April 16, 2024
    Tuesday, April 16, 2024

    The Black Keys have secured the No. 1 Current Rock Album and No. 1 Current Alternative Album in US sales following the release of their new album, Ohio Players, last week. The album also is the highest debut of the week on Billboard’s Top Rock Albums Chart and Top Alternative Albums Chart, at No. 5 on both charts, and has reached No. 4 on Overall Current Album sales and No. 26 on the Billboard 200. Internationally, Ohio Players is the band’s sixth consecutive top 20 album in the UK, as well as top 20 in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, and Switzerland, among others. 

    Journal Topics: Album ReleaseArtist NewsReviews
  • Friday, April 5, 2024
    Friday, April 5, 2024

    The Black Keys' twelfth studio album, Ohio Players, is out now. The album features several collaborations between band mates Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney with various friends and colleagues, like Dan “The Automator” Nakamura, Beck, Noel Gallagher, Greg Kurstin, and others. Also out now: a video for the album track “On The Game,” co-written with Noel Gallagher. The video checks in on Derrick Tuggle, star of the band's 2011 "Lonely Boy" video, and includes a special appearance by skateboarding legend Tony Hawk. Tickets are on sale now for The Black Keys' North American tour.

    Journal Topics: Album ReleaseOn TourVideo