Randy Newman (Creates Something New Under the Sun)

Randy Newman's first album came out in 1968. It was not received well by critics or the public. And it was out of print for 15 years until it's cd release in 1995. It still seems to me that this album is overlooked... and I feel like that's kind of strange because his next few albums (12 Songs, Sail Away and Good Old Boys) are considered his best. So why wouldn't people want to hear the album he wrote right before them? It's amazing to hear Newman's first effort... he's already writing brilliantly deep and cutting lyrics and already composing beautiful orchestral arrangements for his songs. His voice may be lacking a little of the verve that saturates his later work but it's certainly still there.

Randy Newman - Living Without You (1968: Randy Newman)
    - This whole album is less about piano w/orchestra as it is piano and orchestra.  This is a great example of that... the piano is the backbone but the arrangement around it is vital. 

Randy Newman - The Beehive State (1968: Randy Newman)
    - This song is about Kansas and Utah.... and it's still good!  Kinda sounds like Hawkins' 'Monkberry Moon Delight' too.

Randy Newman - I Think It's Going to Rain Today (1968: Randy Newman)
    - One of Newman's best I think.  When he steps his lyrics back from the topical and shifts to the universal it's just mind-blowing.  Lonely, tragic, heartbreaking.  Cool little Copland-esque bridge for me makes the song even lonelier.

For 10 P&P Points: 'I Think It's Going to Rain Today' is one of Randy Newman's most covered songs.  Name two artists that have covered this song that have previously appeared on this blog.