Sail Away

構成数 : 1枚
合計収録時間 : 00:00:00
Though 1968's RANDY NEWMAN introduced a major songwriting talent, and 1970's 12 SONGS still stands among the artist's best work, 1972'S SAIL AWAY has the strength and sophistication of an immediate, indisputable classic. Combining the lush orchestration of his debut with 12 SONG's lean, small-combo sound, SAIL AWAY marks Newman's prowess as a composer and arranger of the first order. His ear for melody, instrumentation, and the literary, often scathingly satiric nature of his lyrics are applied to perfection. The title track, a beautiful piano-strings duet sung from the point of view of a slave ship captain enticing Africans to America, is a case in point. Every song on SAIL AWAY is memorable, from the tongue-in-cheek cabaret lament "Lonely At The Top" to the whimsical ragtime of "Simon Smith and the Amazing Dancing Bear" to the deliciously ironic and astute "Political Science." Newman can go from rock-inspired slink ("Last Night I Had A Dream") to charmingly lyrical ("Dayton, Ohio--1903) to fiercely caustic ("God's Song (That's Why I Love Mankind)"-- a song narrated from God's point of view about the stupidity of humanity), yet his writing is always infused with intelligence, wit, and piercing insight. That Newman's songcraft and musical textures are impeccable only adds to stature of this excellent record.