Various Artists - Sail Away: The Songs of Randy Newman

As Randy Newman has said himself, 'If you don't listen close, I don't think my stuff is any good.' Like Newman's own versions of his songs, Sail Away is not intended for background music.

Steve Earle's version of Rednecks is so cleverly wrong, that if you don't listen closely enough, you just might think you're offended. The Duhks' fantastic cover of Political Science is as witty as Newman's own, and feels even more timely now than it did in 1972.

Newman's gift for songwriting is unprecedented and often overlooked by anyone who's not a songwriter already; but with any luck, this compilation will convince the non-songwriters of the world of Randy Newman's insurmountably tenacious, purposeful talent. ~ About.com

Track Listing:

• Sail Away - Tim O'Brien
• Louisiana - Sonny Landreth
• Birmingham - The Del McCoury Band
• Rider In The Rain - Joe Ely and Reckless Kelly
• Marie - Allison Moorer
• Rednecks - Steve Earle
• Burn On - Bela Fleck
• Mr. President (Have Pity On The Working Man) - Sam Bush
• Memo To My Son - Guster
• Political Science - The Duhks
• You Can Leave Your Hat On - Marc Broussard
• Texas Girl At The Funeral Of Her Father - Kim Richey