There really was a time when Randy Newman was relevant. Every one of his releases on Reprise ("Randy Newman," "Twelve Songs," "Sail Away" and "Good Old Boys") were outstanding.
At some point, however, he decided that his focus should be quirky little jingles for Disney films. He sort of became a less-edgy Danny Elfman (whose own pre-soundtrack work with Oingo Boingo was also consistently good) and seemed to really lock into a successful formula.
At some point I decided to give up on ol' Randy. Clearly he wasn't going to write the likes of "I Think It's Going To Rain Today" again and I didn't need to hear version #85 of "You've Got a Friend In Me." However, have you heard what he's doing now? The Ford commercial? The "Look at Ford again" thing? That, my friends, is a jingle too far.
Posted by mikewolf at January 30, 2003 09:22 PMI completely agree.
That Ford jingle is such a joke. What happened to him?
Two words: Stevie Wonder.
There must be some corollation between musical genius that just seems to head in the wrong direction.
In Randy's defense, he really seems to be striking a chord with the animation composing gigs.
Plus, let's give credit where credit is due: At least he sticking with the Pixar wing. IMO they are the shining star in the Disney universe.
As for Elfman, what can I say?
"It's a dead man's party, who could ask for more?"