Welfare Problems - Randy

Advantages: You might enjoy it
Disadvantages: Ok then buy that Steve Brookstein single!

...This is quite an old record but I make no apologies for reviewing it as it was the first Randy Newman LP (perhaps I should have said Album?) I bought (on vinyl) and is one I keep replaying in my head as I no longer own a record player (or should that be phonograph!) The recording was done at the Bitter End club in New York in 1970 in front of 'live' audience although Randy doesn't interact much with them much so I may be wrong.. 1.Mama told me not to come A cover version No 1 hit in 1970 for Three Dog Night (who I thought were defunct but apparently they have just released a greatest hits album in Oct 2004!). But I digress. The song is quite bouncy and concerns a young boy going finding himself out of his depth at a wild party and wishing he had listened to his Mom's advice. 2.Tickle Me Advice on what to do when the TV... Read review

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Advantages: Get a one time listen to one of the worlds best late guitarist's. Some excellent guitar work.
Disadvantages: sadly Randys gone but not forgotten

...was on of Randy’s 1st loves. Mixed with Ozzy’s band this really works. Any one ever-stoned drunk will love this song “FLYING HIGH AGAIN” This must be Ozzy singing about his drink problems. Perhaps his wife Sharon helped write this? lol “REVELATION MOTHER EARTH” A very slow song indeed. The lyrics are very sad “please let my mother live” But who said rock’n’roll was always fun? “STEAL AWAY” Once again Randy blows the dust from his amps with a fast rhythm lead riff. A song with all the anger of the first track. Drummers! Drummers! every where this song has about a 10 minute drum solo by Mr Tommy Aldridge (I hate drum solo’s but this is not bad) “SUICIDE SOLUTION” This song had Ozzy in court over the lyrics, a guy in America killed himself... Read review

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Advantages: Some of Newman's best work
Disadvantages: The Jeff Lynne bits

...'s trademark cynicism with a piano riff that would make the boys from Keane go all giddy. The same riff is even powerful enough to withstand Newman recycling it in his soundtrack to the movie Awakenings. Still later on the album, Newman reverts to one of his old personas with his solution to the American-as-apple-pie problems of poverty and homelessness: "I say we don't gotta do nothin' for nobody 'Cause they won't work a lick, you know. They just gonna have to roll with the punches… I don't care what you say You're livin' in the greatest country in the world When you're livin' in the USA." The album closes on another musical high. Randy Newman said he envisioned the final song on Land of Dreams as a response to We Are The World with a megabucks, celeb-ridden video accompanying one of his best lyrics. See if you can imagine it: "I... Read review

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