February 27, 2007 Sail Away Randy Newman 1972
"Randy Newman, born in New Orleans and raised in Los Angeles, still has the Big Easy in his dark soul. Although his uncles were major film composers from the 1930s on, and Newman studied music at UCLA, his own playing has more in common with legendary New Orleans R&B pianist Professor Longhair. And when Newman does big arrangements for his songs, like the title cut on Sail Away, his third album, they often have the molasses slowness of anthemic, Deep South, string- and horn-wrapped hymns. This being Newman, "Sail Away," which is a come-on from a slave trader inviting Africans to "Climb aboard this little ship" and sail away to the good life in America, is wicked satire, regardless of how deep the slave trader's (or Newman's) feelings for this mythic America really are. And the song is performed with Newman's typical nonchalance and orchestral beauty.
Throughout Sail Away Newman is always aware of the bit parts and major players, but no one gets the Newman treatment like the deity himself. He touches on celebrity as beatification with the very funny "Lonely at the Top," and with the tongue-in-cheek titled "God's Song (That's Why I Love Mankind)," he really prosecutes the case, calling on a desert conclave of religious leaders who might finally ask the Big Guy the Big Question: If you like us so much why do you hurt us? God (Newman) wryly answers "I burn down your cities / How blind you must be / I take from you your children and you say how blessed are we / You must all be crazy to put your faith in me / That's why I love mankind / You really need me / That's why I love mankind."
Newman really hits his stride with the politically incorrect "Political Science (Let's Drop the Big One)," which seems as wickedly relevant today as it did in 1972: "We give them money / But are they grateful? / No they're spiteful and they're hateful / They don't respect us, so let's surprise them / Let's drop the big one and pulverize them." Randy Newman, because of his satirical humor, his spirit, and his wonderfully economical gift for lyrics, is one of the great American songwriters, and Sail Away shows off all his gifts."
My Trusted MOGs
caveat: This doesn't mean I agree with everything Newman says or writes about, especially in the political arena. But he's an important artist. That's what I mean. He has an energy about him.
My Trusted MOGs
Randy is an important artist. He's done satire and a whole lot more. He has lyrics that always have a power to them. He's also good at poking fingers in one's eyes (remember "Short People"?).