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Track Listings
| Disc: 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Rednecks | |||
| 2. Birmingham | |||
| 3. Marie | |||
| 4. Mr. President | |||
| 5. Guilty | |||
| 6. Louisiana 1927 | |||
| 7. Every Man a King | |||
| 8. Kingfish | |||
| 9. Naked Man | |||
| 10. A Wedding in Cherokee County | |||
See all 13 tracks on this disc
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| Disc: 2 | |||
| 1. Rednecks | |||
| 2. If We Didn't Have Jesus | |||
| 3. Birmingham | |||
| 4. The Joke | |||
| 5. Louisiana | |||
| 6. My Daddy Knew Dixie Howell | |||
| 7. Shining | |||
| 8. Marie | |||
| 9. Good Morning | |||
| 10. Birmingham Redux | |||
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See all 13 tracks on this disc
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Product Description
(2CD) Limited Edition 2002 Remastered Deluxe edition with bonus 13 track CD, the original solo demo with track-by-track commentary from Mr. Newman explaining concept & story behind the songs. (aka 'Johnny Cutler's Birthday')
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By G. E. Harrison
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Audio CD
"Good old boys" is Randy Newman's marvellous 1974 'concept' album about the American South, where Randy himself spent much of his childhood. It sounds fairly similar to his previous album "Sail away" and explores some of the same themes - racism, corrupt government, loneliness, the futility of human existence - but with specific reference to the South. He also instructs us in Southern history with references to Huey P. Long - "Every man a king" and the Mississippi floods of 1927 - "Louisiana 1927" (even more relevant today after Hurricane Katrina), and comments on modern race issues - "Rednecks".
If all this sounds a bit dry, don't worry it's not, the songs all have wonderful sing-along melodies and great settings. Newman obviously has great affection for the South and for every criticism he makes he also points out the great beauty and charm of the place and its people, who are represented by his usual parade of eccentrics and misfits, particularly in "Wedding in Cherokee County". The themes are mainly dealt with on a personal level, as stories relating to one person/family but summing up the whole South, it's like looking through a telescope that scans the whole sweep of the South and then focuses in on one backyard in "Birmingham", Alabama. And it's all filtered through Newman's comic/ironic vision to keep you on your toes and question whether he actually means some of the things he says. He's backed by the cream of LA's session players, including Ry Cooder and John Platania on guitars, Willie Weeks, Red Callender or Russ Titelman on bass and Jim Keltner or Andy Newmark on drums.
This is a truly wonderful record that sounds great and at the same time is very moving and thought provoking. And it also contains probably one of the best songs he has ever written "Guilty", a masterpiece of low key/life understatement.
If all this sounds a bit dry, don't worry it's not, the songs all have wonderful sing-along melodies and great settings. Newman obviously has great affection for the South and for every criticism he makes he also points out the great beauty and charm of the place and its people, who are represented by his usual parade of eccentrics and misfits, particularly in "Wedding in Cherokee County". The themes are mainly dealt with on a personal level, as stories relating to one person/family but summing up the whole South, it's like looking through a telescope that scans the whole sweep of the South and then focuses in on one backyard in "Birmingham", Alabama. And it's all filtered through Newman's comic/ironic vision to keep you on your toes and question whether he actually means some of the things he says. He's backed by the cream of LA's session players, including Ry Cooder and John Platania on guitars, Willie Weeks, Red Callender or Russ Titelman on bass and Jim Keltner or Andy Newmark on drums.
This is a truly wonderful record that sounds great and at the same time is very moving and thought provoking. And it also contains probably one of the best songs he has ever written "Guilty", a masterpiece of low key/life understatement.
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By ricenpeas
Format:Audio CD
If you're planning on enjoying some brilliantly crafted classic songs jam-packed with humourous social commentary then 'Good Old Boys' is one of the best places to start looking. This album is a beautiful masterpiece full of tunes that will fill your head and words that will either make you cry or smile.
Take the wonderfully satirical opener 'Rednecks'. Newman's initial doorway to the American South to which the album owes such inspiration. Here the album is packaged alongside the original album of demos Newman set out for the record called 'Johnny Cutler's Birthday'. On this gem of a bonus CD the writer talks and walks us through the concept of the record and describes sights, sounds and atmosphere's of the places he can imagine being the perfect backdrop to his songs.
Dive into the deliciously pretty 'Marie', swim around in the country bop of 'Back On My Feet Again' and float through vivid social imagery of 'Birmingham' and 'Rednecks'. This album is special and manages to capture a true talent at it's peak.
The album features Newman's own orchestral arrangements showing that his bow is perhaps too small for the number of strings he has.
Well worth having in your collection. With this, 'Sail Away' and 'Little Criminal' you'll have everything you need to know about classic intelligent songwriting!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By D. BURNS
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I first heard this record some thirty years ago and was impressed. I Have re-purchased it in CD format and I continue to be impressed. The themes of the songs remain relevant, the lyrics are witty and the arrangements are great.
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4.7 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent record; excellent value
The final version is much more impressionistic than the first version. Having the first version (Johnny Cutler's Birthday) to listen to gives a wonderful view of the creative... Read more
Published 1 month ago by John Firth
5.0 out of 5 stars
Randy Newman great!
Brilliant album which I already own on vinyl. Highly recommended! Intelligent political and social commentary coupled with Newman's wit and beautiful arrangements
Published 3 months ago by R. Ellis
5.0 out of 5 stars
5 stars
Randy Newman..love him or hate him,there are no inbetweens..Perfect music for late night listening.. Read more
Published on 9 May 2011 by breadbag bandit
5.0 out of 5 stars
Southern Gothic
Randy Newman's 'concept album' about the deep south has none of the bloated excess that the term evokes. Read more
Published on 28 Dec 2009 by J. Jenkins
5.0 out of 5 stars
bloody marvellous
Good Old Boys, the zenith of Newman's fine career (so far at least), is an acerbic yet compassionate musical tour of the Deep South. Read more
Published on 8 Feb 2002 by adampushkin@hotmail.com
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