Oh, Randy

[sun_set_bravely]

I saw Randy Newman at Carnegie Hall last night. What a guy. He can get away with singing outrageous and painful things like no one else can. The concert was in Zankel Hall, which is a newly renovated space underground. I felt like I was in a submarine when I first took my seat, and I was almost claustrophobic, but the fact took a back seat as the show went on.

It was just Randy and a Steinway on stage. He played everything I wanted him to play: "Sail Away," "Rednecks," "My Life is Good" (his final encore), "I Think It's Going to Rain Today," "You've Got a Friend in Me," "Big Hat, No Cattle," (He really played a lot of songs!) "Political Science," "Marie," and a great version of "Shame." Most of the audience around me and CG were older fans, familiar with his classics, and so they eyed us suspiciously when we applauded and sang along so raucously with "Shame." That song just cracks me up. I haven't grinned and laughed so much at a concert in a long time.

I finally pinned down what animal he reminds me of -- a turtle. A grand, old, wise, smart-ass turtle.

My favorite moment of his performance was during "Marie," a heart-breaking song about . It was just the way that he barely moved his foot in the red shadow pool of light under his bench while he gently sang, "And I don't listen to a word you say/ When you're in trouble I just turn away." In that moment, my breath rose a little, and I felt I was witness to great beauty and honesty. Only a great man could make himself that vulnerable in public.


You looked like a princess the night we met
With your hair piled up high
I will never forget
I'm drunk right now baby
But I've got to be
Or I never could tell you
What you meant to me

CHORUS
I loved you the first time I saw you
And I always will love you Marie
I loved you the first time I saw you
And I always will love you Marie

You're the song that the trees sing when the wind blows
You're a flower you're a river you're a rainbow
Sometimes I'm crazy
But I guess you know
And I'm weak and I'm lazy
And I've hurt you so
And I don't listen to a word you say
When you're in trouble I just turn away

CHORUS


~ ~ ~

And now, off to the six-pronged Devil Day:

1) First day of rehearsal (10-6)
2) DSL installation (noon)
3) Box Office Opens (1pm)
4) Executive Committee Meeting (3pm)
5) Board of Directors Meeting (4pm)
6) We're also minus one key person in the office today.

I can't wait to come home and sleep tonight.

Comments

[roadnotes.livejournal.com]

That is a magnificently beautiful and painful song. I've heard Mandy Patinkin do it live, but never Newman himself.

[sun-set-bravely.livejournal.com]

I knew Mandy Patinkin's version before I knew it was Randy Newman's song, and I loved it then. I have to say, I prefer Randy's version.

Off the subject -- I hope that you're doing all right. I'm sending you lots of good thoughts. Be well, and take care of yourself.

[kenhighcountry.livejournal.com]

I am insanely jealous.
Did he sing I Miss You?

[sun-set-bravely.livejournal.com]

He did! He did! I'd never heard that song before, but I fell in love with it when he introduced it with, "I wrote this love song for my first wife while I was married to my second."

What a performer. What a presence.

[kenhighcountry.livejournal.com]

I LOVE that song. It's on "Bad Love," which I have on the computer, along witj the "Best Of," and the box set "Guilty."

[chaptal.livejournal.com]

He did My Life Is Good?!?

I'm so jealous.

One of my favorite cassettes is one I have of him performing live, solo piano, sometime in the early 70's. There's a great version of Mama Told Me Not To Come.

[sun-set-bravely.livejournal.com]

He did! It was awesome. The show was partly to promote his new album coming out, which features his classics, reinterpreted, with just Randy and a piano. You should pick it up when it comes out!

[chaptal.livejournal.com]

I just looked it up. Songbook Volume 1, comes out tomorrow.

[poetbear.livejournal.com]

wOw! we saw him long ago in a fairly small venue--about the time he released LITTLE CRIMINALS. i can't think of anyone more entertaining to listen to. ~paul

[sun-set-bravely.livejournal.com]

I knew that his music was entertaining, but I had no idea that he, as a performer, would be so wonderful! He was at ease with the audience, and built up a great rapport with us. It was so much fun.

[poetbear.livejournal.com]

he is, as they say DA BOMB! ~paul