Entertainment For Lively Minds
I ♥ Randy Newman (and Randy Newman fans)
I went to see the great man last night at the Royal Festival Hall. Here are some of my thoughts in handy bullet point form...
● This was a big night for me as I was breaking by four-year-old gig embargo. I had decided to stop going to concerts as I had become totally infuriated by the rudeness and gnat-like attention spans of many gig-goers these days. Would I emerge from tonight's concert in a good mood or with my legendary "stare of death"? Only time would tell...
● When I arrived at the venue I felt as if I had materialized at a Word magazine reader convention. There were beards aplenty, smart jackets over band T-shirts, gentlemen of a certain vintage with slightly receding longish silver hair, bellies in a state of distention, red wine entering gullets with gusto and much chatter about all things musical. This was my kind of environment...
● Randy Newman Celeb Watch: Trevor Dann walked past me.
● Ordered a double espresso at the bar. Someone in front of me was pre-ordering several drinks for the interval and arranging which bar to collect them from. This is a long way from queueing with several hundred longhairs for pints of crap lager under the scorpion at the Hammy O bar, I thought to myself.
● Found my seat with ease... side stalls. It immediately dawned on me that Mr Newman's head would be obscured by his piano lid. I shrugged and thought "Well, I know what he looks like".
● At 8pm Randy Newman walked onstage and proceeded to play music for us. His songwriting is a masterclass in musical and lyrical economy. His tunes never outstay their welcome. Classic followed classic, interspersed with "witty banter". He is a very, very funny man. I think I laughed more last night than I have done in the last 2 years.
● This was the only concert I've been to where the audience was encouraged to sing "He's dead, he's dead" during a song.
● I wish all audiences could be like the one last night. Nobody said a word during the songs, nobody was filming the show on a phone, nobody was munching crisps. A polite, considerate, enthusiastic and respectful bunch, Randy Newman fans...
● Mr Newman's voice was showing signs of strain, but this only made him more loveable. After one spectacular failure at hitting a high note he made a joke of it mid-song. This is what I want from entertainers.
● He played just about every tune I'd wanted to hear, but by the encores he still hadn't performed "I Think It's Going To Rain Today". Then he played it. It was the last song. Perfect.
● As I left the Festival Hall and walked across the bridge to the other side of the river, I overheard two men in conversation. "He played with Giles, Giles and Fripp", said one. I smiled and began the long journey back to Oxford, getting home at 1.30am.
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Is Trevor Dann
a celebrity?
That was...
a joke!
I don't even know who he is...
....the celebrity at the Little Criminals meet up with Randy after the Glasgow show was Rebus hitmaker Ian Rankine.
Meself and pocketcalculator were there
and sat behind us was the very talented Marc Wooton. It was as you describe but the Trumpet/ringtone that went off a couple of times was incongruous and flummoxed the security staff!
Despite it being my 7th gig in 19 days (with two more next week) I wasnt inured to the fact that I was watching a class act.
Old school pure talent.
So glad
you had a great night out Patrick.
I agree that the wittering classes are the scourge of the discerning gig-goer.
If you want to hear and appreciate the music you've paid good money for then you could do no better than a trip up the M40 to Birmingham where we have the Town Hall, Symphony Hall and the Glee Club. All are venues where you won't get any chat, and the Glee even announces that they would like phones switched off.
At a couple of gigs I've been to there I swear the audience were holding their breaths, such was the absolute pin-drop silence during some songs.
I second Birmingham Town Hall and Symphony Hall
Both are an absolute pleasure to visit (unlike the ICC). I always remember going to see Carmen performed by Opera North in Nottingham. I'm one of the world's biggest cultural snobs so my expectations of my fellow audience members are usually very low. Even by my standards the young woman in front of me excelled herself by eating crisps during one of the quietest parts of Carmen's arias.
I'm sorry I missed Randy Newman. I'm a huge fan and have never seen him live. Unfortunately, if he plays the UK, it's usually only London.
ICC?
Do you mean NIA or the LG Arena? Either way both are big echoey halls generally full of idiots with no manners or gig-sense and, at best, iffy sound.
Having said that, the sound for Clapton/Winwood at the LG wasn't bad this week, and the audience were pretty respectful. Mind you, most appeared to fit the Word demographic pretty well, with a high proportion of FPO's to keep order.
Worst experience last year at the NIA to see t'Arctic Monkeys. I had a great view of the cretins at the back of the standing bit who spent most of their night throwing beer on the floor and then sliding across it on their knees and arses Peter Kaye style. My contemptometer was off the scale.
Sorry. I meant the NIA
Birmingham's largest toilet.
Thanks...
I did indeed have a great night out. It was the first time I'd seen Randy Newman and he didn't disappoint. It took a musician of his calibre to drag me out of gig retirement, and I'm so glad I went.
Don't leave it so long next time
There is some wonderful live music out there....
I've never doubted that...
it's the audiences I have a problem with.
Entirely agree with original post
I was sat next to someone reading Word before Randy Newman came on. Sound was very good and his songs all seem like classics. Each one, and there were a lot given none seemed more than two and a half minutes long, was perfect, even when his voice didn't quite make it. And, as someone mentioned on a related thread, lots of self-deprecating humour. Great night.
Oh bum, we missed a potential Word Mini-meet
I was there too. Would have been so nice to have met up with you all...
Carl Parker and I had arranged to have a drink, but in the end I didn't get there til 7.50pm (the fun of having teeny children).
So, that aside... I absolutely loved it. I was first introduced to Randy's music when I was 7, and I've waited a lifetime to go and see him. He didn't disappoint. The voice (or slight lack of in places) was just endearing. His stage manner adorable, his music... outstanding. He had me in tears (admittedly not difficult) during "Marie".
Patrick, how funny, I'd been holding my breath for "I think it's going to rain today" as well. Cherry on the fairycake.
Yeah, shouldve co ordinated a bit better for a meet.
Same here though - handed the nipper to the mrs and legged it to the RFH - got there at 759!
As I missed out as bloody always
I'll have my Cherry by proxy.Love Mr Newman.
But the idiot
with the trumpet sat just by me! WTF.
I'd have swapped
I was sitting next to someone who snottily sniffed through the whole thing. Aaarrrggghhh.
My dad used to offer such people tissues. I'm not brave enough.
!
Was it really a trumpet and not a ringtone?
surely not.
I would really like to know
cos it was a very drunk trumpeter if it was. It was in time with the 'he'd dead' bits at first. I'll try and sort out a clip
I was there too...
...and agree with the original post.
Celeb watch: Rising Damp hitmaker Don Warrington.
I came out thinking that I'd seen something very special indeed and even having to walk from Embankment to Victoria due to problems on the tube, getting lost and eventually getting back to Oxford at 2.30am didn't spoil a wonderful evening. FPO in complete agreement.
I taped
the show for those who were there and those unable to make it. Will post link to some naughty mp3s or something. You ain't seen me, roight?
The trumpet moment was bizarre but handled perfectly by Mr N. I'd only seen him before at the Tower Of London supporting Dr John so this was a bloody treat. ITIGRT made me weep. Never heard the RFH so still and peaceful in rapt attention
Thumbs up from me for the Brum Town\ Symphony Hall. Was up there last weekend seeing Graham Coxon and the audience and venue was lovely
I don't like Randy Newman
but even I didn't mind going to his concert at the Sage to accompany Mr Janice. I can't get past his voice, that's my problem, but even I knew a large number of the songs he played and I can appreciate his lyrics. Plus, he did talk to the audience quite a lot, telling stories etc which always makes it more interesting. And I came to realise that all his songs are very short, so if I really didn't like something there was another one along pretty quickly !
Audience at the Sage was similar to that mentioned above - older, appreciative, silent, although they sang 'He's dead' with unexpected gusto ! Very impressed by the Sage. First time we've visited but the sound is excellent, the facilities good and the views just amazing.
Mr Janice decided that as it was his birthday he wanted to meet Randy afterwards so we hung around the stage door with a small group of other fans and he did indeed get to shake Randy's hand, so a good night all round. Walked back to the nearby Hilton where we were staying (can also recommend) to find Randy and his 'people' arriving just in front of us and being whisked away !
Ah yes
The Sage is indeed a wonderful venue - can never get over the view, both inside and out. I did notice a small handful of mobiles attempting to take photos towards the end of the performance on Sunday, which seemed highly incongruous (rather than just annoying, as it would normally be).
I'd forgotten about the audience participation in "I'm Dead". Utterly superb.
"He played with Giles, Giles and Fripp..."
Who could that be, assuming they weren't discussing G, G or F themselves? (He played WITH GG&F)
Must have been Ian McDonald, as the only other member was Judy Dyble in her post-Fairport days
As great as Mr Newman is
I am miffed that he didnt play the Second City yet decides to play Gateshead? What is that all about?
Sounds like you all had a wonderful time - hopefully in another 10 years he might play Brum. Would have been perfect at the Symphony Hall.
But
we had the music of John Martyn and they didn't.
A Randy Night
I think you chose wisely just ordering a coffee Patrick. I'm heading to the Albert Hall in a few weeks time and although I like the venue, interval drinks are a nightmare at the place, overpriced and massive ques.Better to do without I guess and wait until after the gig although I'm not sure of the nearest bar, feel a thread coming. Glad you enjoyed Randy, maybe you will venture out to a few more gigs again after your good experience last night?
The last date of 'The Last Chance To See (Part 1) tour
London setlist was:
It's Money That I Love
Yellow Man
Living Without You
Short People
Birmingham
Marie
Simon Smith & His Amazing Dancing Bear
The Girls In My Life (Part 1)
The World Isn't Fair
Bad News From Home
You Can Leave Your Hat On
Great Nations Of Europe
Political Science
I'm Dead
Harps And Angels
Sail Away
Last Night I Had A Dream
Love Story
In Germany Before The War
Baltimore
You've Got A Friend In Me
Losing You
Lonely At The Top
Land Of Dreams
Rednecks
I Miss You
Rollin'
Laugh And Be Happy
Thats Why I Love Mankind (God's Song)
I Love LA
Feels Like Home
Guilty
Mama Told Me Not To Come
I Think It's Going To Rain Today
add to that some funny stories about writing for 'Toy Story', the failure of Marxism and not being able to hit the high notes back then let alone now and you've got the flavour of a great evening.
We Love the Eighties video director's attempts to make caustic singer songwriters sexy
Also spotted at Glasgow gig,
Rickie Ross who turned over his entire 2 hour americana/alt country radio Scotland show last Friday to the songs of Randy Newman. You can still get it on BBC iplayer up till 8pm tonight. Normally an excellent show by the way every Friday at 8pm.
Great comeback PC.
Yes it really was a trumpet
oddly he stood up, played his 'part' then left before security could intervene. Good show, better than last time where playing with a full orchestra limited any spontaneity. liked to have heard "Just a few words in defense of my country" though. What's going to big the next big Word meet? My money is on the Loud & Rich gig.
I'm guessing that
he didn't do 'A Few Words In Defence Of My Country' as the target - George W Bush n Co - have departed and it wouldn't feel the same talking about Obama as 'the leaders we have are the worst that we've had'
Pity as I would like to have heard it too
Great review
From Tweetdeck, both Eamonn Forde and Matt Hall (& Rob Fitzpatrick?) were there as well - so that's half the Word staffers and most of the subscribers? It's nice that we old folk have somewhere to go! I too love Randy and all the more so when he sits alone at a piano. 'In Germany Before The War' is always deeply unsettling though.
For a similar experience can I recommend you venture out to see Jimmy Webb the next time he tours ... one piano, great songs, great anecdotes and a very funny guy.
I'm not old folk! I'm young and spritely.
And not protesting too much, nope.
I apologise for the misunderstanding
Obviously there have to be a smattering of young, spritely people there too in case the old folk become over excited, or get lost on the way back from the toilets.
That's more like it
;-)
Patrick,
glad you enjoyed your night out. Further celeb watch:Tessa Jowell MP
Review here
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/randy-newm...
"The US satirist has never fitted the rock-god bill, he's always been a tad too portly around the gills – resembling an avuncular turtle with a sly, wry smile – but he's always attracted a loyal, similarly shaped, following."
Cheeky bastard!
I love Randy Newman
Possibly the greatest songwriter alive today.
I notice the kids these days have to make do with Lily Allen, If Ivor Novello awards mean anything. Do get me wrong, I like Lily Allen but she's not even in the same league as Randy
Not much more for me to say
except on the "celebrity" front Bill Oddie was a couple of rows behind us. There was guy in front who seemed to spend a lot of time texting. The brightness of the screen was distracting. My thought was why don't you listen and tell people about it afterwards.
Shame Hannah and I and out partners didn't get to meet.
Guilty was the icing on the cake for me. The song I'd have loved to have heard was Jolly Coppers On Parade.
But of course The Funky Gibbon Hitmaker was there!
During the 1980s I used to go to see many groups of the jazz rockular variety. I would play the 'spot Bill Oddie' game, for he would always, always be in the crowd.
a mate saw Bill Oddie, Bill Oddie, put your
hands all over my body, at a Prince The Purple Ponce gig in the mid 2000's. Had his coat on, sitting arms crossed with a face like thunder. So no change to his usual demeanor.
I had the "pleasure" of working with Bill Oddie a few years ago.
What a grumpy, unpleasant sod he was.
Slightly different take
Enjoyed the gig too but have a couple of slightly different comments
1. Hilarious in between song patter - not for me. Mild wry smile maybe. I know by virtue of being at a concert folk are well-disposed towards the artist but I have always been irritated by the 'laugh like drain' response to any comment from the stage - on that basis I was driven out of the Joanna Newsom by the sycophantic guffaws everytime she spent 5 minutes adjusting a mic (that and a final realisation that I do not 'get her')
2. Great Audience? I was surprised that the average age was so old - personally I found it a bit intimidating, bit too church-like.
3. Great Sound? Sitting about 5 rows back- so maybe acoustics not so good there - but i thought the vocals were overdone.
So, curmudegeon over - i agree it was great to see him and he is a genius etc.........
I can't say
I was surrounded by a load of old biddies. Maybe I was in the youth enclosure. He is in his late 60's so it wouldn't be that surprising taht some of his audience would be
And yes the front rows of the RFH, the sound is bobbins. Has been since the refit. About halfway back up the front stalls is about right.
"We have three boys and a girl, my wife says if we had the girl before we had the boys she would have thought the boys were retarded when they were growing up" - you don't get that from Hard-Fi