Randy Newman: Dark Matter
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Randy Newman: Dark Matter

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The voice of social conscience and witty observations on the world in the state of flux, Randy Newman introduces The Great Debate as a sombre experience albeit shrouded in showboat singalongs. Decades of experience shows, he is musically intuitive as he entertains multiple protagonists during this song. Elements of gospel interrupt his wordsmith dalliances, “communist” is not to be mistaken with “commonest”. Brothers makes for a sad lament of black America. The Cold War rages but the walls are just as high and insurmountable down home. No desire to whistle Dixie here.

His ability to keep the listener involved is due in no small part to the fact that he has been a professional songwriter since the age of 17. Ambitious on many levels, both musically and lyrically, a song like Putin might just see him spend time in a gulag for a while longer than any person would want to. A strong background in film composition is at the forefront of Lost With You. You can hear why he had multiple nominations for Grammy and Academy Awards.

The unbridled passion evident in the songwriting is, as always, hampered by his limited vocal range and style. An aspirational approach comes to light again on She Chose Me and is plaintive with its dissonant modernist orchestration and although it sounds like an operatic aria, it is forever tinged in blue.

The plangent and folky lilt of On The Beach is warm, bright and inviting drawing one to reflect on a much simpler time. Similarly the equally nostalgia driven Wandering Boy brings tears to the eyes as he warbles with clear emotional fragility. And then it all ends, haunted by the ever present narrative of the present.