SAIL AWAY: THE SONGS OF RANDY NEWMAN - VARIOUS
This 12-song collection is as compelling and perfectly conceived a multi-artist “tribute” as one could imagine. Drawing entirely from Newman’s incredibly fertile early- to mid-’70s era, a diverse yet utterly coherent grouping of alternative country, blues and acoustic artists gives this body of songs an identity all its own.
Cajun homeboy Sonny Landreth delivers a searing post-Katrina “Louisiana 1927,” while Steve Earle offers up a sneering take on “Rednecks.” Allison Moorer is devastatingly poignant on “Marie,” as is Kim Richey on “Texas Girl at the Funeral of Her Father.” Tim O’Brien, the Del McCoury Band, Bela Fleck, Sam Bush, the Duhks and others prove not only the depth of their own creativity but the amazing versatility and timelessness of Newman’s work. –Billboard
