''The Music of Randy Newman'' is the 12th album by jazz singer
Roseanna Vitro, recorded in 2009 and 2010, released in 2011 on the
Motéma label. It received a 2012
Grammy
The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pre ...
nomination in the category of the Best Vocal Jazz Album.
[Ford, Husniyah]
"Professor’s Jazz Album Nominated for Grammy"
''The Gothic Times''. April 6, 2012. Retrieved 2012-05-10.
Reception
The album received 4½ stars from ''
DownBeat
' (styled in all caps) is an American music magazine devoted to "jazz, blues and beyond", the last word indicating its expansion beyond the jazz realm which it covered exclusively in previous years. The publication was established in 1934 in Chi ...
'' and 4 stars each from
AllMusic
AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...
and
All About Jazz. The latter notes Newman's and Vitro's "shared Southern heritage," while praising "Vitro's sophisticated interpretations."
[ AllMusic's Ken Dryden applauds Vitro's novel approach to a mix of familiar and obscure material, singling out violinist Sarah Caswell's sometimes "sublime" contributions:
]''Vitro has a lot of fun with Newman's hilarious description of attending a pot party in "Mama Told Me Not to Come," with Caswell's whimsical licks complementing the leader's playful, outgoing vocal. The singer captures the essence of Newman's sardonic "Baltimore," though she transforms it with a brisk setting, adding guitarist Steve Cardenas. Vitro's dramatic interpretation of "In Germany Before the War" is also a high point.''
''DownBeats Kirk Silbee likewise notes Vitro's compatibility with the subject of her tribute:
''Her soulful alto connects beautifully with Newman’s great feel for Southern music forms. Pianist Mark Soskin, away from his Sonny Rollins’ sideman role, accompanies effectively throughout, and Sara Caswell’s emotionally charged violin provides a sympathetic foil for Vitro. This album is awfully good.''
Track listing
Words and music by Randy Newman
Randall Stuart Newman (born November 28, 1943) is an American singer-songwriter, arranger, composer, and pianist known for his Southern American English, Southern-accented singing style, early Americana (music), Americana-influenced songs (often ...
.
# "Last Night I had a Dream" - 4:55
# " Sail Away" - 5:48
# "If I Didn't Have You - 6:16
# "Every Time It Rains" - 4:05
# "Baltimore
Baltimore ( , locally: or ) is the List of municipalities in Maryland, most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland, fourth most populous city in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, and List of United States cities by popula ...
" - 5:59
# "In Germany Before the War" - 4:35
# " Mama Told Me Not to Come" - 4:36
# "I Will Go Sailing No More" - 6:06
# "Feels Like Home" - 6:02
# "Losing You" - 5:17
Personnel
*Vocals, arrangements – Roseanna Vitro
*Piano, arrangements – Mark Soskin
Mark Samuel Soskin (born 1953) is an American jazz pianist based in New York City.
Discography
As leader
* ''Rhythm Vision,'' Prestige (1980);
* ''Overjoyed,'' Jazz City (1991);
* ''Views From Here,'' King (1992);
* ''Calypso & Jazz Arou ...
*Violin – Sara Caswell
Sara Caswell is an American violinist who has worked with 9 Horses, Esperanza Spalding, and David Krakauer.
Career
Born into a musical family in Bloomington, Indiana, Caswell studied classical violin with Josef Gingold, but from an early age ...
*Bass – Dean Johnson
*Drums – Tim Horner
Special Guests
*Percussion – Jamey Haddad
*Guitar – Steve Cardenas
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Music of Randy Newman
2011 albums
Motéma Music albums
Roseanna Vitro albums
Tribute albums