Randy Newman Wins! (and loses)

Los Angeles : CA : USA | Feb 27, 2011 at 8:18 PM PST

By Andy Mathisen

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I see Randy Newman won the best song tonight in the Academy Awards. He's won it before. Perhaps for the first "Toy Story" song or perhaps for "Finding Nemo"?

I dunno...I remember him from another era when he sang with people like Steve Goodman and John Prine and Jimmy Buffet about things that bothered him about America. Songs like "Short People" or "Rednecks" or "Political Science 101"...most these songs a far cry from the mercantile words he sells to Pixar and the like the days.

I miss the OLD Randy Newman. The Newman unafraid to sing about the things that bothered him about his country. The "honest" and unredeemed Newman..banging away on an old piano about Louisiana..and loss..and an honest appraisal of the country. Devoid of Hollywood mega-bucks and popularity...when he sung of something more important than toys..or awards..when he sung of a different kind of loss of innocence.

When he sang free and unfettered from Hollywood's saccharine grasp.

Like the song above.

1 of 2

..some words in Defense?

Andy Mathisen is based in Smithers, British Columbia, Canada, and is an Anchor for Allvoices.

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Post a Comment Comments: 6

Posted By

Andy Mathisen | about 2 years ago

I find it rather ironic that the Best Film goes to "The King's Speech"..While a stuttering king attempts to find his voice...Europe descends into Darkness..America dithers on involving itself in the forthcoming fiasco..Canadians creep coldly through a dangerous North Atlantic..the world sleeps..and stutters.

Posted By

RobertWeller991 | about 2 years ago

The King's Speech was not in the same class as Inception, which did well at the box office despite requiring some thought. For some reason it was released way too early to contend for the top awards. Perhaps the movie company needed to start recouping the high cost. Leo didn't nomination. He is headed for the honorary lifetime achievement award.

Posted By

Martin Kloess | about 2 years ago

i'm with you, but i'm really down on media and people blindly being led by it.

Posted By

Andy Mathisen | about 2 years ago

I really did like Shutter Island..but then agian..I'm both bi-polar and had a mother shut in on one of these grimy joints! Go figure? I took her to see the sneak premier of "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest"..she said McMurphy's were a "dime a dozen"! She spent a lot of time on the "electric" rack back in the late 50's and early 60's. Grim..and sad...more sad; and later... grim. :-(

Posted By

Punditty | about 2 years ago

Does Randy still love L.A.?

I have to say, I loved "The King's Speech." Haven't seen "Inception" yet but will rent it soon.

Posted By

shan_pk_2010yahoocom | about 2 years ago

hi ur posting are very good i like it keep it and keep in touch also

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