Randy Newman: The Essential Album Guide

RANDY NEWMAN (1968)
Key Tracks: "I Think It's Going To Rain Today," "Cowboy"
Quick Take: Randy Newman emerged in the late '60s as the slyest, meanest, and funniest of the post-Dylan singer/songwriters. His music was steeped in old-time Tin Pan Alley piano; his sardonic lyrics inhabited sleazy characters from the B side of Nixon's America, hustlers and racists and glad-handers and backslappers. His self-titled debut album stunned musicians, who rushed out to cover its songs, and confused consumers, who rushed out to not buy it — a commercial slump that has lasted his whole career. Despite some Allen Sherman moments, Randy Newman had brilliant songwriting and orchestrations, especially the lonely piano ballad "I Think It's Going to Rain Today," recorded by everyone from Dusty Springfield and Neil Diamond to UB40 and Nina Simone.

Randy Newman (Reprise)