Whether you recognise his heartwarming sound from beloved films, know him from his early, politically strident and satirical albums like Sail Away and Good Old Boys, or prefer the 75-year-old’s 21st century releases like Dark Matter, you’ll have been charmed by Randy Newman.
The prolific American composer, pianist and singer-songwriter has about as many awards on his mantlepiece (Grammy, Emmy and Recording Academy) and inductions to famed halls (Songwriters Hall of Fame and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame) that you could imagine one artist might achieve across a very busy five-decade career. Yet his gentle crooning remains effortlessly relatable and relevant, from musings on US foriegn policy in the 1972 track ‘Political Science’, to the 2017 callout of Russia’s president in ‘Putin’ and, of course, the unforgettable Toy Story theme song ‘You’ve Got a Friend in Me’.
And even if you’re not into politics or Toy Story, Newman’s epic discography includes scores from, well, scores of hugely popular films. You’ll recognise his work in the tear-jerking horse racing flick Seabiscuit, the ’90s kids classic film A Bug’s Life, 1981 drama Ragtime, George Clooney football comedy Leatherheads, Disney’s The Princess and the Frog and a slew of other cartoons and feature films.
We’re looking forward to hearing these tracks and other tongue-in-cheek classics like ‘Birmingham’, ‘Short People’ and ‘Naked Man’ when Newman beguiles fans at the State Theatre on Tuesday, February 4, 2020.
Tickets are available to this solo Sydney show from 1pm on Monday, August 26.
