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Randy Newman - Sail Away

Randy Newman talks to John Wilson about his classic album from 45 years ago, 'Sail Away'

With six Grammys, three Emmys and two Oscars (from 20 Academy Award nominations) - to say nothing of his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and membership of both the Songwriters and the Rock & Roll Halls of Fame - means that Randy Newman has one of the most crowded mantelpieces in the world of popular entertainment.

In this special edition of MASTERTAPES the legendary singer-songwriter and composer talks to John Wilson about 'Sail Away' 鈥 the album that Rolling Stone magazine described as 鈥渁 work of genius鈥 when it was released forty-five years ago.

Already with a good dozen years under his belt as a professional song writer (he was only 28 years old when this album was released), with 'Sail Away' we see an artist able to combine biting wit, novelistic complexity and a deep understanding of the contradictions of the American psyche with sumptuous melodies and restrained arrangements. Nowhere more so than with 'Lonely At The Top鈥 (originally written with Frank Sinatra in mind), 鈥榊ou Can Leave Your Hat On鈥 (later recorded by Tom Jones for The Full Monty), 鈥楪od鈥檚 Song (That鈥檚 Why I Love Mankind)鈥 and the austere title track that kicks off the album.

MASTERTAPES is recorded in front of a live audience at the 大象传媒's iconic Maida Vale Studios. Each edition includes two parts, with John Wilson initially quizzing the artist about their career defining album, and then, in the B-side, the audience puts some of the questions. Both feature exclusive live performances.

Producer: Paul Kobrak

Release date:

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47 minutes

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