大象传媒

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