Rating: 
Summary: Newman, same old Rand.
Review: "Hate New York City. It's cold and it's damp. And all the people dress like monkeys." These are Randy Newman's opening lyrics as he plays to a packed New York club, in front of a bunch of New Yorkers. He goes on to tell them how much he loves LA. Of course, Newman wouldn't care if it were New York or New Year, he'd still find time for irony, potshots or just plain humour. And he does, regularly, in this vintage performance, in songs like 'Political Science', 'My Life is Good' and the matchless 'Rednecks'.
For those who are unsure, Randy Newman is, quite simply, one of the greatest songwriters ever. He came from a wealthy upbringing, gained a degree in music at University, and then took a job as part of the songwriting staff at a record label for a pittance. His voice was not considered good enough even to record demos and his songs rather off-key with the popular music of the early sixties.
Eventually, he made his breakthrough and caused a stir with his self-titled debut album, which included the quirky 'Linda' and the unrivalled disaster dirge 'I Think Its Going To Rain Today', both featured here. He went on to make more and more records, each time taking different musical influences and styles and making them his own. The most notable would be 'Good Old Boys' and 'Sail Away', two classics which are both well represented in this performance.
This show presents Newman at his flowing best. His live demeanour is engaging and warm to behold. His gags are delivered with the timing of an old pro, inevitably conjuring up Victor Borge and Tom Lehrer, but also the sincerity and awareness of his peer Loudon Wainwright III - possibly THE performing songwriter. The audience don't stop smiling because of it.
The guest appearances in the show are welcome, especially when Linda Ronstadt takes the mike for 'Texas Girl At The Funeral Of Her Father', although Ry Cooder's zombie-like delivery on 'Rider In The Rain' could have warranted a parental guidance certificate for the recording.
As the show unfolds, you see everything of Randy Newman that he wants you to see. His political concerns ('Christmas In Capetown'), his relationships ('Real Emotional Girl') and his constant awareness of how loneliness, religion, love and hate need eachother to exist ('God's Song', 'Baltimore' and 'I Think It's Going To Rain Today'). This makes the video worthy of bearing the man's name. It makes seemingly off-the-cuff ditties like 'Simon Smith And The Amazing Dancing Bear' resonate with all the meaning of any of the accepted standards.
This is Randy Newman live at The Odeon. Buy it, see it, hear it. Your life will be good too.
Rating:
Summary: Newman, same old Rand.
Review: "Hate New York City. It's cold and it's damp. And all the people dress like monkeys." These are Randy Newman's opening lyrics as he plays to a packed New York club, in front of a bunch of New Yorkers. He goes on to tell them how much he loves LA. Of course, Newman wouldn't care if it were New York or New Year, he'd still find time for irony, potshots or just plain humour. And he does, regularly, in this vintage performance, in songs like 'Political Science', 'My Life is Good' and the matchless 'Rednecks'.
For those who are unsure, Randy Newman is, quite simply, one of the greatest songwriters ever. He came from a wealthy upbringing, gained a degree in music at University, and then took a job as part of the songwriting staff at a record label for a pittance. His voice was not considered good enough even to record demos and his songs rather off-key with the popular music of the early sixties.
Eventually, he made his breakthrough and caused a stir with his self-titled debut album, which included the quirky 'Linda' and the unrivalled disaster dirge 'I Think Its Going To Rain Today', both featured here. He went on to make more and more records, each time taking different musical influences and styles and making them his own. The most notable would be 'Good Old Boys' and 'Sail Away', two classics which are both well represented in this performance.
This show presents Newman at his flowing best. His live demeanour is engaging and warm to behold. His gags are delivered with the timing of an old pro, inevitably conjuring up Victor Borge and Tom Lehrer, but also the sincerity and awareness of his peer Loudon Wainwright III - possibly THE performing songwriter. The audience don't stop smiling because of it.
The guest appearances in the show are welcome, especially when Linda Ronstadt takes the mike for 'Texas Girl At The Funeral Of Her Father', although Ry Cooder's zombie-like delivery on 'Rider In The Rain' could have warranted a parental guidance certificate for the recording.
As the show unfolds, you see everything of Randy Newman that he wants you to see. His political concerns ('Christmas In Capetown'), his relationships ('Real Emotional Girl') and his constant awareness of how loneliness, religion, love and hate need eachother to exist ('God's Song', 'Baltimore' and 'I Think It's Going To Rain Today'). This makes the video worthy of bearing the man's name. It makes seemingly off-the-cuff ditties like 'Simon Smith And The Amazing Dancing Bear' resonate with all the meaning of any of the accepted standards.
This is Randy Newman live at The Odeon. Buy it, see it, hear it. Your life will be good too.
Rating: 
Summary: Randy Is Great! Sound [is terrible]
Review: ... Anytime you can find Randy Newman on a DVD........AND you get Ry Cooder to join you.........You've got to buy it. The playing is great great great. The sound [is terrible]! 5.1 channels of loud air. Bad background noise; but if you love the music.........you gotta buy it.
Rating:
Summary: Randy Is Great! Sound [is terrible]
Review: ... Anytime you can find Randy Newman on a DVD........AND you get Ry Cooder to join you.........You've got to buy it. The playing is great great great. The sound [is terrible]! 5.1 channels of loud air. Bad background noise; but if you love the music.........you gotta buy it.
Rating: 
Summary: HISSSSSSSSS
Review: I love the entire Randy Newman library of songs. That being the case, why then am I only rating this DVD 2 stars? It's because the DVD has a terrible hissss in the background thoughout the entire program (as many other reviewers here have mentioned). The hissss is so obnoxious it's next to impossible to enjoy the concert. Crank up the volume to hear your favorites and you only get more hissss to fill the room. It's enough to give you a major headache.
I had a VHS copy of this concert previously and loved it enough to want to upgrade to the DVD. I was hoping that the comments I was reading here about the background noise were minimal. That wasn't the case. At least the tape never had a problem with the background noise...no doubt because the range of highs on tape don't come close to those on a DVD. But I could at least crank up the volume on the tape without that dreaded hissss. I never thought I'd say this, but this is one time where the VHS copy of the program is a better buy than the DVD. Unfortunately I gave my copy of the VHS version to someone when I knew I was buying the DVD. Bad move. I honestly doubt I will be playing this very often. And like I said, it's not because of the music.
Rating:
Summary: Randy delivers a great performance!
Review: I own every one of Randy's CD's, but had never seen him perform. This DVD exceeds my expectations, and with each viewing becomes even more enjoyable.I feel as if I've been to a live performance of his, with front row seats. It's amazing to hear the great sounds he gets out of his piano, and he appears to do it effortlessly. What a treat to get to see him sing and play at the same time. His self-deprecating comments to the audience are hilarious. I'd never truly appreciated his song 'Rider in The Rain' before, until he performed it on the DVD with Linda Rondstadt and Ry Cooder. It's now one of my all-time favorites of his. His comments about his own singing while performing this number are priceless! The ominous sounds that Ry Cooder achieves on his guitar while playing 'Let's Burn the Cornfield' gives me goosebumps. It's great! Other reviews mentioned a Hissing sound, which must have been cleaned up on my copy, since I never heard any such sound. I even listened to this with earphones on my personal-sized DVD player, as well as on our full-sized sound system, and the sound quality was excellent. This DVD is a real treat and I heartily recommend it to all Randy Newman fans, and anyone else who likes top-notch entertainment. My only disappointment is that I don't know of any other Randy Newman live performance DVD's available and I want MORE!!!
Rating:
Summary: Background noise! With todays technology?
Review: I really enjoy Randy Newmans songs. I grabbed this DVD when I saw it on the shelf, I had to have it. Imagine my dissapointment when I listened to it. The background hiss is absolutely terrible. I know technology was not as good back in 1983 but come on! With the way technology is today, and the remastering of older recordings being what it is, whoever produced the sound for this disc should be ashamed. I am using the Bose Lifestyle 35 system to play it on and it sounds like ... Other than the bad sound the disc is great (good selection of songs). Maybe they should Remaster it and send new copies to all who bought this copy.
Rating: 
Summary: Terrible sound
Review: I was really disappointed with this DVD. I've never seen Mr. Newman live before (and probably never will, living in Norway). The sound is so bad. No matter how much I love Randy's music, there is no way I can recommend this DVD.
Rating: 
Summary: pure Randy
Review: ok, its not the most entertaining music dvd on the market (by far!) but for those of us in love with the songs and enthralled with the man, this DVD does the trick. Highly recommended for fans....a bit much to sit through perhaps for those who are just casual listeners.
Rating:
Summary: Lonely At The Top
Review: On this DVD Randy Newman is in great form with classics as Political Science and My Life Is Good. The ironic and tragic songwriter is joined by Linda Ronstadt and Ry Cooder, but that does not bother Randy as he plays the songs anyway. Now if we had a DVD of Ry and the Chicken Skin Revue that would be even better!!
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