Randy Newman - Live at the Odeon (1983)

Randy Newman is best enjoyed in an intimate setting, so this 1983 performance at New York's Odeon nightclub finds the curmudgeonly Newman in his element. Whether he's playing popular favorites like "I Love L.A." and "Short People" or testing new material for a small, appreciative audience, Newman is a congenial performer whose skill as a composer is perfectly matched to his playful, deep-cutting lyrics and wry, often melancholy vocal style. It's no small task to sing edgy, provocative songs like "Rednecks" or the hilariously satirical "Political Science" and still maintain a warm connection to the listener, but Newman does just that, and his hospitality is extended to guest performers Linda Ronstadt and Ry Cooder, who enhance the rich emotions of Newman's music. Woodstock director Michael Lindsay-Hogg captures the relaxed mood of the one-hour set, and despite audible hiss on the 2- and 5.1-channel audio, this recording conveys the essence of Randy Newman at his best. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

Randy on his best with his friends

OK,this performance took place years ago but the spirit is still there Randy is always on his best in small theatres and when Linda Ronstadt is around he's really exited.I think there are just too little dvd's from this man who has such a great musical heritage In the meantime I keep on watching this great show! February 22, 2007

Randy, Ry, and Linda

Wow - perhaps the best small venue concert video I have ever seen - Randy Newman is in fine form, sings many of his best songs, Ry Cooder (as usual) is nothing less than brilliant on slide guitar, backing Randy's piano on about 3 tunes - Linda Ronstadt is stellar as the voice of "Joan Sutherland" to Randy's "Kermit the Frog" March 8, 2006

Hey Rhino, what's up with the sound quality?

I recall when this came out on laser disc last decade and it was a charming, intimate performance of Newman in a New York club. I was thrilled to own the LD and hoped to see more of Newman in this format.

While the LD was the same length (I believe the entire performance should have been released), the quality of the laserdisc video and audio were superior in all aspects. Tape hiss was so minimal you could actually hear Newman hitting the sustain pedal. However, this DVD sounds like the audio was recorded in a tin can.

Rhino, what's going on here? I'm wondering if the Rhino engineers were sleeping on the job, but it's a shame they didn't get this one right. This lack of respect and concern suggests Rhino cared little about the historical significance of documenting Newman's live performances. After all this is the only video performance of his career in release today.

Come on Rhino, make amends, admit your mistake, reissue it and give a great performer like Newman the respect he deserves. Once again, this is another example of a DVD company releasing everything with so much expediency to "make a quick buck", the quality of the product suffers.
November 22, 2005

Audio Problems

As mentioned by other reviewers, the audio on this DVD is terrible. It is filled with HISS. I understand it's from 1980 but even then it is inexcusable. It seems to me like they didn't go back to clean up the audio at all before releasing the DVD.

I still give it 3 stars because I'd rather have it on DVD with hiss, then not at all. But if you are just a casual Randy Newman fan, I wouldn't recommend this as one of your first purchases. March 6, 2005

Terrible sound

I was really disappointed with this DVD. I've never seen Mr. Newman live before (and probably never will, living in Norway). The sound is so bad. No matter how much I love Randy's music, there is no way I can recommend this DVD. December 29, 2004

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