The Toy Box: Randy Newman

Do you want to hear stories about Randy Newman growing up in New Orleans? Then look no further than his 1988 released Land Of Dreams. Now, whether those stories are truly autobiographical, or fictionally stories, I don't know.

Much like his prior released Trouble In Paradise (1983), this new studio album features a slew of guest artists. Among them are Mark Knopfler, Tom Petty, Mike Campbell (Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers), Steve Lukather (Toto), Lee Sklar (you know, the long bearded bassist for Phil Collins), Jeff Lynne (ELO), David Paich (Toto), Guy Fletcher (Dire Straits), Phil Jones (Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers), Jeff Porcaro (Toto), as well as many other session musicians.

Once again, Newman showcases his writing ability as a storyteller, making you feel like he's talking directly to you in each song. It's enjoyable. However, once again, you also won't find radio hits in this formula. With exception of the single, It's Money That Matters, which reached number sixty on the Hot 100, Land Of Dreams garnered very little attention.

Really, there's not much more to say about this one. It's not a bad album. It's just not offering up memorable hits which are deemed necessary to add to my shuffle list. It's a one and done experience.

As for Randy, as I mentioned in yesterday's post, he went on to continue releasing studio albums and soundtracks through 2019. While he continues to tour these days, he was hindered a bit in 2022 from breaking his neck. Though, he appears to have recovered, and is back out there.

With exception of his work on the Toy Story soundtracks, I'd be remiss to find any further footnotes to him that would interest me. While a fifth movie is in the works with Pixar, it is rumored that Newman may not return for this one.

Click "HERE" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.

Disclaimer: They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or distribution.

THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
August 3, 1985

Though many might remember as him the guy who provided the soundtrack for Pixar's Toy Story, Randy Newman had a storied career far before 1995. He's provided soundtracks to some of the most memorable movies since 1966, and began a long solo career two years later in '68.

Newman began his writing career at the age of 17, adopting and crafting a satirical lyrical style, which would become his signature flourish. Backed with a nonrhotic Southern accented singing voice, he would produce such hits as Short People, and I Love L.A., his two largest selling singles.

I could take you play by play through his career. However, from the sheer length of it to this point, it would be a massive essay by the time it was finished. As such, I won't do that. Instead, we'll just skip right ahead to 1983, and his album, Trouble In Paradise.

The album kicks off with his hit, I Love L.A., and from there continues to deliver quirky, but solid tracks for Christmas In Cape Town, and The Blues, the latter which features Paul Simon. In fact, Paradise as a whole seems to feature a slew of talent. This includes Steve Lukathar (Toto), David Paich (Toto), Jeff Porcaro (Toto), Jennifer Warnes, Linda Ronstadt, Don Henley, Bob Seger, Ricky Lee Jones, Christine McVie (Fleetwood Mac), and Lindsey Buckingham (Fleetwood Mac), and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

For me, what I dug most about the album was that each song felt like Newman was embodying characters, and telling you a story. While this didn't make for many radio hit friendly tracks, it did provide a unique listening experiencing, wherein I felt like he was performing mini storytelling blocks directly for me. It was fun.

I didn't walk away with much for my shuffle list, but at the same time, I didn't expect to. I picked up Trouble In Paradise for the song, I Love L.A., which in and of itself is a novelty. I wasn't anticipating massive hits to be served up, and I'm okay that it didn't. I got what I wanted from it, a good song, a good time, and that's sufficient.

As for Newman himself, despite consistently working throughout the '80's, or possible because he was, Randy only produced two studio albums during the decade. His first, the aforementioned Paradise, which was followed five years later by 1988's Land Of Dreams. He did, however, continue to work consistently on new soundtracks and studio albums through 2019, but seems to have gone dormant since the great house arrest of 2020. Newman actually wrote a song that year called, Stay Away, seemingly endorsing the mandated quarantining.

Click "HERE" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.

THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
August 2, 1980

THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
August 2, 1986

Retro Spins: Randy Newman - Land Of Dreams

Retro Spins: Randy Newman - Trouble In Paradise