From his raggy stylings to his wide-open Coplandian harmonies, Randy Newman’s music is saturated with Americana. That you’re instantly at home with his tunes only heightens the impact of his biting satires or ironic and devastating laments. I love the hitched rhythms and drolly piled-on lyrics that don’t quite scan. His themes are as deep-reaching as Melville’s, his wit as sharp as Twain’s.
But most of his stuff is just plain fun, warm, a big hug from a big soul...
