Randy Newman's Faust (1993 Concept Cast) [Cast Recording]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
With his career built on twin pillars of concise narrative songwriting for his own albums and evocative orchestral composition for his film scores, Randy Newman is eminently qualified to resuscitate musical theater. And while the initial stage production of his reworking of Goethe has stalled west of Broadway, the 1995 studio version of Faust is a triumph. In Newman's hand, the Faustian myth transforms its title hero into a clueless rocker (sung by Don Henley), the Devil into a huckster (sung by, who else, Newman himself), and God into a callow yuppie (James Taylor, in the project's most revelatory performance, every bit as funny as the composer's). With Bonnie Raitt and Linda Ronstadt completing this dream cast, Newman honors the form's theatrical demands with ensemble show-stoppers (the opening "Glory Train"), expository duets ("How Great Our Lord"), and romantic ballads ("Feels Like Home"), framing the 17 songs with his own rich orchestrations and generous choral support. It's devilishly good. --Sam Sutherland

Tracks:

Glory Train - Randy Newman
Can't Keep a Good Man Down - Randy Newman
How Great Our Lord - Randy Newman
Best Little Girl - Randy Newman
Northern Boy - Randy Newman
Bless The Children Of The World - Don Henley
Gainesville - Linda Ronstadt
Relax, Enjoy Yourself - James Taylor/Randy Newman/Kristyn Liang-chan
Life Has Been Good To Me - Bonnie Raitt
Little Island - Elton John
The Man - Don Henley/Randy Newman
My Hero - Linda Ronstadt
I Gotta Be Your Man - Randy Newman
Feels Like Home - Bonnie Raitt
Bleeding All Over The Place - Randy Newman/Bonnie Raitt
Sandman's Coming - Linda Ronstadt
Happy Ending - Randy Newman

Amazon.com

With his career built on twin pillars of concise narrative songwriting for his own albums and evocative orchestral composition for his film scores, Randy Newman is eminently qualified to resuscitate musical theater. And while the initial stage production of his reworking of Goethe has stalled west of Broadway, the 1995 studio version of Faust is a triumph. In Newman's hand, the Faustian myth transforms its title hero into a clueless rocker (sung by Don Henley), the Devil into a huckster (sung by, who else, Newman himself), and God into a callow yuppie (James Taylor, in the project's most revelatory performance, every bit as funny as the composer's). With Bonnie Raitt and Linda Ronstadt completing this dream cast, Newman honors the form's theatrical demands with ensemble show-stoppers (the opening "Glory Train"), expository duets ("How Great Our Lord"), and romantic ballads ("Feels Like Home"), framing the 17 songs with his own rich orchestrations and generous choral support. It's devilishly good. --Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews:

The Newman musical..........2005-05-21

After putting out albums for over twenty-five years in the same 12-song style format, Newman tried something different in the early 1990s. He wrote a musical. And it's not your typical boy-meets-girl type of musical (well, maybe Satan-meets-girl). It deals with God, death, Satan, the BIG questions, power, and innocence. In all of Newman's non-soundtrack work, "Faust" remains his only concept album. But before it was an album it was a musical (and it still gets performed here and there, too).

To really appreciate this album for what it's worth, it must be looked at from the realm of musical theater. "Faust" doesn't showcase Newman the same way "Good Old Boys" or "Sail Away" did. "Faust" is more of a soundtrack than a straight forward album. And, as a musical, it shines. It breathes life into some of the stale overused empty song-driven Broadway shows that people flock to each year in droves. All musicals should be as good and as challenging as "Faust".

And in the style of most musicals, "Faust" contains numerous characters sung by numerous vocalists. Some BIG and surprising names appear here: Don Henley (of the Eagles; he sang background on "Rider In The Rain" on "Little Criminals"), Linda Ronstadt (a long time Newman fan; she's recorded her own versions of quite a few Newman songs), James Taylor (he plays God, a hilarious and intentional miscast), Bonnie Raitt (she was at her prime at this time), and Elton John (who only sings one song). Newman's reputation amongst musicians apparently belies his albums' sales. Including these chart-toppers on "Faust" may have alienated some diehard Newman fans (murmurs of "sellout" could be heard here and there in 1995). But the music rises above it all. "Faust" is definitely no sellout (the closest thing to a hit is "Feels Like Home"). It's hard to say whether the stars' presence increased sales of "Faust" or not.

"Faust", being a musical, also has a storyline. This does not emerge from the CD, however. In fact, almost no story can be extracted from just listening to the album. The book contains a story guide with song titles. Following along with this at least once reveals the story and the meaning behind a lot of the lyrics (the guide is also on Newman's website). By just listening to the album listeners may simply wonder "what's the point?" Probably the biggest reason "Faust" sits amongst Newman's most neglected albums (right down there with "Born Again") is that some effort is required to appreciate it.

The CD contains some incredible moments. "Relax, Enjoy Yourself" segues from a stupidly happy skipping song into a shocking dirge about a dead girl talking to the devil. "That man who shot you in the head, in the Burger King in Tuscon, well he never will be punished you know". "Glory Train" features the devil himself (played by Newman, who else) halting a train of angels to heaven to announce that it's all a bunch of nonsense (the lyrics put it much less mildly). "Faust" takes shots at religion, innocence, and happiness. At times it's downright disturbing. But it still somehow manages to exude fun.

Rhino re-released "Faust" with a bonus CD that features a solo Newman on piano. Supposedly this CD reflects the actual stage show more than the 1995 release. More than a few songs get played here that appear nowhere on the original disc. It also proves that Newman wrote the majority of this material for other singers (his voice strains on some of the higher notes). And he also narrates through the music. It's similar to "Johnny Cutler's Birthday" from the "Good Old Boys" 2 CD-set (also released by Rhino).

"Faust" may not be Newman at his absolute best, but it showcases a different side of Newman not seen before or since. And it also continues his tradition (going solid since 1983) of releasing only two albums per decade. 1995's "Faust" and 1999's "Bad Love" completely exhaust Newman's non-soundtrack 1990's output. He keeps promising he'll do more, but even Newman has to pay the bills.

Read all the reviews........2005-05-05

Randy Newman has never written for everyone, and there are some here who just don't "get" him. This is one of the greatest concept albums of all time with the best musicians in the business offering their talent. James Taylor is God, Linda Ronstadt is the good girl, Bonnie Raitt is the bad girl and Randy is The Devil. What could possibly be more delicous? These and other great artists have worked with Randy over the years because he is a rare genius. Only Randy Newman could make the Faustian legend accessible by setting it to unforgettable music with the smartest, snakiest lyrics imaginable. Put this on your iPod.

Tepid and Typical Newman.......2005-03-16

I'm glad I heard this CD at a friend's instead of purchasing it. I'm a big fan of the Faust myth, seeing it played out in many forms including Murnau's silent movie; a play; Gounod's Opera (my favorite version); the unofficial, campy and catchy "Phantom of the Paradise." and of course, Goethe's original, sprawling literary work. (I have to admit I skipped to the "good" parts.) Those are some noteworthy examples.
Unfortunately, I feel this rendition belongs squarely in the "poor" catergory. I admit not being a Newman fan, but I thought "what the heck". Thank God we had good conversation to compensate.
Packed to overflowing with typically lame, on-the-nose Newman lyrics; I expected any moment to hear: Over there / I see the devil / He's walking toward me / Steps on some bubble gum... blah, blah, blah." Then you have melodies which barely rise above the level of a middle-of-the-road ditty. Combine the two and you get song's like the sacharine " Sandman's Coming". What Newman obviously intended to be heartbreaking emotional irony in the midst of madness just sounds sappy.
The three songs I did enjoy were "Bless the Children of the World", "Relax, Enjoy Yourself, and "Life Has Been Good to Me" -- the latter mainly for Bonnie Raiit's performance. All Newman, but catchy. If you are a Newman fan, you might find some others to your liking. Otherwise, watch Murnau's film version or buy a good DVD recording of Gounod's opera. It's worth reading the translated libretto if you don't speak French (which I don't).

Not for everybody.......2004-02-03

How perfect a platform is "Faust" for Mr. Newman? Well, duh. Here Randy takes the same attitude he voiced in "God's Song" years earlier and pokes fun not at God, but of mankind's ridiculous views concerning the deity. He fills the famous story with shallow and silly human personalities to make fun of the very absurd idea that God is anything like us at all. James Taylor really stands out here with his glib take on the Lord. And Elton John's brief appearance on "Little Island" is fantastic. The satire is so thick you could cut it with Satan's sword. As the cd ends with Randy merrily strolling down the Las Vegas strip speaking in tongues you can't help but laugh at the cosmic joke he's pulled on us all.

Best Musical I've ever heard........2002-10-12

God (James Taylor) goes on this long gospel rant at the beginning (Glory Train) and I thought, "Randy Newman's athiest, what's going on here?" If your not listening that close, you won't notice how tounge-in-cheek all the lyrics are it almost passes as serious Christian music. Randy Newman did his research for this. At the end of that song he breaks in as the Devil, "Thought I might intrude... In all my life I don't believe I've ever heard such bull, and I was relieved. There's the Randy Newman I know. It's the Randy Newman wink.
Later there's a song by Linda Ronstadt and it's a lullaby. It's really nice, but then you read the booklet in the cd and see she's singing to her baby that she's just drown. You wouldn't know that just by listening to the song but it makes it so much deeper and more chilling.
The Elton John song is too great for words.
This cd's got everything.
It'll really influence discussion. I'm agnostic, this is good to listen to in the car and talk about. It made my Mom a little uncomfortable though. She says she's Christian. She dug the tunes, just not everything behind them and the discussion.

Average customer rating:

How To Make An OK CD Great
A Generally Unheard Classic

Faust (Dlx)
Randy Newman
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Born Again
Good Old Boys (Bonus CD) (Dlx)
Randy Newman's Faust (1993 Concept Cast)
Randy Newman Creates Something New Under the Sun
Trouble in Paradise

ASIN: B00007LTI8
Release Date: 2003-02-25

Tracks:

Glory Train
Can't Keep A Good Man Down
How Great Our Lord
Best Little Girl
Northern Boy
Bless The Children Of The World
Gainesville
Relax, Enjoy Yourself
Life Has Been Good To Me
Little Island
The Man
My Hero
I Gotta Be Your Man
Feels Like Home
Bleeding All Over The Place
Sandman's Coming
Happy Ending

Tracks:

Pass On Over
How Great Our Lord
Each Perfect Day
Best Little Girl
It Was Beautiful
Northern Boy
Bless The Children Of The World
Damn Fine Day
March Of The Protestants
Little Island
The Man
Love Time
Relax, Enjoy Yourself
When Love Is In The Air
Gainesville Florida
Life Has Been Good To Me
My Hero
Hard Currency
Sandman's Coming
Basin Street Blues

Album Description

Faust deluxe edition contains the original 17-song theatrical production & a second bonus disc of 20 rare project demos, 'Pass On Over', 'How Great Our Lord', 'Each Perfect Day', 'Best Little Girl', 'It Was Beautiful', 'Northern Boy', 'Bless The Children Of The World', 'Damn Fine Day', 'March Of The Protestants', 'Little Island', 'The Man', 'Love Time', 'Relax, Enjoy Yourself', 'When Love Is In The Air', 'Gainesville Florida', 'Life Has Been Good To Me', 'My Hero', 'Hard Currency', 'Sandman's Coming', & 'Basin Street Blues', featuring Newman solo on vocals & piano. Slipcase. Rhino/Reprise. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

How To Make An OK CD Great.......2003-05-25

Do we really need another version of Randy Newman's Faust? I hardly listened to it when it first came out, though it has grown on me since the last Rhino reissues. As a Randy Newman fan I would rather skip a track with a James Taylor lead vocal on it, than have to listen to it. That goes double for a Bonnie Raitt or Linda Ronstadt one. And since I have made it through all of those Soundtrack albums, AND all those cast sung songs, I guess I can make it through Faust. I'd love to say that Faust is mostly Randy but it's not, but as you probably are aware it's still great songs, great musicians, (Including Ry Cooder & Jim Keltner) and it sounds like a Randy Newman album. But now with this new reissue it really doesn't matter because the second disc is over an hour of Randy on piano. It also comes with nice packaging, expanded booklet with an interesting essay, and did I mention a complete disc of Randy Newman. It is similar to the Bonus disc of "Good Old Boys", and we couldn't of asked for anything better than that.
So is Faust worth 5 stars? Is it better than "Sail Away", "Little Criminals", "Good Old Boys" get real. It's still, for a collection of songs originally released in 1995, pretty good.
So if your not a Randy Newman fan start with "Trouble in Paradise" and work your way down. Everybody else sell your old copy of Faust on ebay and get 2 discs for the price of one.

A Generally Unheard Classic.......2003-03-11

The original release of "Faust" (in Randy's words) "didn't sell enough to pay for my kids' toothpaste."

The Randster tackles the classic story, "Faust" with sardonic tongue-in-cheek style that laces through most of his best work, and comes out with a fantastic and subtely (and sometimes out-loud) funny work of art. Great tunes, fantastic production - this album in certain ways culminates a unique and beatufiul career - Randy tackles the heaviest of subjects (God), drags out contemporaries and far more commercially successful friends (Elton John, Don Henley) and creates a work of beauty that is so direct AND off center, that it finds little audience in today's CD buying market place. For those who love "Good Old Boys" - this is a perfect companion. Tackling an even more taboo subject with another disc of Randy on piano, playing the melodies raw.

Randy, of course, plays The Devil. And his own personally undecided view of religion comes through. How Glorious is God sings James Taylor as The Big Guy, only to have Randy reply with "We're Only a Figment of Their Imagination." Are they? And if so, whose singing? Ah, the irony. Randy style.

Kick in Disc 1 and listen to this masterpiece in lushly produced glory, and now listen to Randy's demos on Disc 2 as he warbles his way through the story - double confirming that the Great Mystery is just as confusing to Mr. Newman as it is for the rest of us.

But most importantly, as any good album, it comes down to the music. If you'd like a concept album that breaks new ground while singing about the old, this is for you. Take a chance. You'll never hear anything like it. God Bless Randy for being Randy and taking chances. Or someone should bless him - whoever you personally believe has the ability to do it.

Randy Newman's Faust
Average customer rating:
Randy Newman's Faust
Randy Newman
Manufacturer: Warner/Reprise/Maverick
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000008QG4
Release Date: 1996-08-27

Average customer rating:
Randy Newman's Faust
Newman , and Randy
Manufacturer: Reprise
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000LXCV3A

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