Randy Newman October 11, 2008

Over the course of 40 years, Randy Newman has released 10 albums of original material, along with 'Randy Newman Live,' a recording of his musical theater adaptation of 'Faust' and 'The Randy Newman Songbook, Vol. 1,' a piano-and-voice retrospective. Since 1981, Newman has been a prolific film music composer, a regular Academy Award nominee, and, in 2002, an Oscar winner for 'If I Didn't Have You' from 'Monsters, Inc.' Among his notable film scores are 'Ragtime,' 'The Natural,' 'Parenthood,' 'Awakenings,' 'Avalon,' 'Pleasantville' and 'Leatherheads.' He has specialized in composing for an impressive range of critically acclaimed family films, including 'Toy Story,' 'James and The Giant Peach,' 'A Bug's Life,' 'Toy Story 2,' and 'Cars.' Newman is a five-time Grammy Award winner, and recipient of the 2002 Recording Academy's prestigious Governors' Award. He has garnered two Emmys: in 2004 for the title theme to 'Monk' and in 1991 for songs composed for the short-lived but well-regarded musical series 'Cop Rock.' His latest album 'Harps and Angels' (Nonesuch), Newman's first album of new material in nine years, includes a blues song about his discovery of the afterlife, a peppy tune for immigrants, a Weill-style discordant take on the State of the Union, and two lovely ballads that Josh Groban could sing, and probably will.