Singer, songwriter and composer Randy Newman doesn’t do a lot of interviews. Absent my ability to speak to one of my heroes in music, I’ve decided to put together my dream setlist for his concert on Sunday night at the Hollywood Bowl. The show is called “The Albums 1968-2018” and is scheduled to include songs from each one of his studio albums.
Since his cousin, David Newman, is conducting the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, let’s first get his thoughts on the concert. I had asked him about this when we spoke about his conducting Jaws earlier this season.
“It’s not the first time we’ve done this, it’s the second,” he said. “We did a concert in Vienna a couple of years ago. I have no idea what’s going on. I know that it will be songs from his albums – all of which I’m intimately familiar with. I’m so looking forward. I’m a huge fan of Randy’s from when I was 15-years-old. I’m honored and can’t wait to do that. That’s going to be fun. He’ll have his band there, a big orchestra. We’ll have a blast with that.”
Now my setlist.
Randy Newman (1968) From this introductory album I’ll have to take one of the songs he’s written that has been covered by a lot of artists, “I Think It’s Going to Rain Today.”
12 Songs (1970) No doubt he’ll be doing “Mama Told Me Not to Come,” but I’d love to hear “Uncle Bob’s Midnight Blues.”
Sail Away (1972) In our current political climate, there’s only one song that must be played and it is from this album: “Political Science.”
Good Old Boys (1974) Easily one of his songs that gets misunderstood – because he writes in character for the people in his stories – is “Rednecks.” No, he’s not a racist, the character in the song is. (Talking of misunderstood, have you seen the video for “I Love L.A.?”)
Little Criminals (1977) Since he had a hit with “Short People,” (another misunderstood song), he’ll feel obligated to play that song. And however much I like the idea of his playing “You Can’t Fool the Fat Man” for the current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, I love his song “Baltimore” from this album and that would be my choice.
Born Again (1979) My choice here is “The Story of a Rock and Roll Band” (Which is a tribute to one of my favorite bands.) But you can probably count “It’s Money That I Love” to be played from Born Again.
Trouble in Paradise (1983) Do you really think he’ll not play “I Love L.A.” at this concert? You can bet on that one. However, I’d be happy if he played this entire album with my particular favorites being “Real Emotional Girl,” “Christmas in Cape Town” and “I’m Different.” But if push comes to shove, I think he should follow up “The Story of a Rock and Roll Band” with “My Life Is Good” from this album.
Land of Dreams (1988) Easily my favorite song here, and one of his many songs that can cut you to the quick with its pathos is “I Want You to Hurt Like I Do.” I’d love him to play that cheerful little ditty. My guess is he’ll play “Dixie Flyer.”
Faust (1994) He’s probably not including this concept album for an ill-fated musical (that was performed in La Jolla in 1995.) I saw the production and I love this album, but it is’t technically a “studio album.” My pick here is “Feels Like Home.” Bonnie Raitt sang this song so beautifully on the album, but Newman has performed it in concert and added it to one of his studio albums a few years later.
Bad Love (1999) I’ll go for “The Great Nations of Europe,” for two reasons. One, it is timely. Secondly, it utilizes an orchestra and will serve the concept of this show well.
Harps and Angels (2008) It’s amazing how many of his songs comment not just on what was going on at the time they were written and recorded, but still serve as commentary today. For that reason and also because this, too, can take advantage of the orchestra, I’ll choose “Laugh and Be Happy.” (This is the album where Newman released his version of “Feels Like Home.”)
Dark Matter (2017) Newman should collude with current events and play “Putin.”
Now, given that we have the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra for this concert, it would be great to hear from some of his film scores, too. While I’m sure Toy Story would be included if they are and perhaps The Natural, I’d love to hear some of his music from Avalon and Pleasantville. Those are two scores from little films that got away, but they showcase Newman at his best.
Speaking of Toy Story, you can probably count on hearing “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” even though it wasn’t part of his studio albums. The song is too beloved not to be somehow be included – perhaps as an encore.
Whatever Randy Newman chooses to do on Sunday night, I can’t wait to see what’s on his official setlist. What would you want to hear him perform?
Photos by Pamela Springsteen