Me as Randy Newman

Thank you Zan.

The Devil's Music

I have just partaken in an argument extolling the virtues of Randy Newman's 1968 debut album, in which I took the position that Newman is quite easily one of the greatest American song-writers ever. After playing both "The Beehive State" and "Love Story (You and Me)" I played "Let's Burn Down the Cornfield" from his second album 12 songs. The argument devolved into my counterpoint digressing that you can't understand what he is saying, and I countered that she sounded as though she thought he was playing the devil's music. At which point we agreed that we wished there were an instrument that was objectively the Devil's. I would play it.

UPDATE: I just need to note a text message I received while at the Cloud Cult show last night that was directly related to this post. (where it says "Cloud Cult" will eventually be a photo gallery I did for that show, but I'm not putting it up this morning).

from Ah:

I don't know how to play any instrument but if an instrument truly came from the devil I would sell my soul to learn to play it.

It warms my heart.

Randy Newman on Taxes:

"They lowered my taxes! How can a country countenance lowering taxes on the upper income? I can't believe it!"

Takes a Good Hard Look at Randy

Whoo-hoo. New Randy Newman tomorrow (it's so good) - and he's playing the entire album live on NPR tomorrow