The Randy Newman Songbook, Vol. 2

The second volume of Randy Newman’s Songbook series is once again a career-traipsing collection of songs performed solo at the piano. This plays particularly well for songs that were originally presented with more ornate productions. For example, “My Life Is Good,” from Trouble In Paradise, takes on a different malevolence. “Baltimore,” from Little Criminals, is solitary and lonely without the harmonies from the Eagles. “Dixie Flyer,” from Land of Dreams, takes on a stronger southern charm. Even “Losing You,” a track from 2008’s Harps and Angels deepens, with a gentler vocal. Newman doesn’t back down any, either. “Yellow Man” still points out the “pinhead’s view of China.” “Suzanne” is still a song of dark sexual menace. “Cowboy” is without its orchestration and so minimalist in its presentation that it appears to be more an aphorism than a song. You get a stronger sense of Newman’s New Orleans-based piano style. These songs are likely being played the way Newman first envisioned them.