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Randy Newman Singer-songwriter Randy Newman's career has taken him from pop chart success to Oscar nominations.

Randy Newman

Guest DJ Randy Newman

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All Songs Considered

Guest DJ Randy Newman

In this 2008 interview Randy Newman talks about his musical family, how Ray Charles has influenced his work over the years and what it was like hearing The Beatles for the first time.

Guest DJ Randy Newman

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Soundtracks, Satire And A Sense Of Place: A Conversation With Randy Newman

Randy Newman stopped by NPR for a performance and interview with Steve Inskeep. Liam James Doyle/NPR hide caption

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Music Interviews

Soundtracks, Satire And A Sense Of Place: A Conversation With Randy Newman

After spending several decades writing beloved children's scores, Newman is back with the acerbic Dark Matter. Hear a conversation with Steve Inskeep, plus a performance of some original songs.

Soundtracks, Satire And A Sense Of Place: A Conversation With Randy Newman

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The Song You Turned To This Week: 'Baltimore'

Jazz singer Nina Simone pictured in 1978, the year she recorded and released the song "Baltimore." J. Minhan/Hulton-Deutsch Collection/Corbis hide caption

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J. Minhan/Hulton-Deutsch Collection/Corbis

All Songs Considered

The Song You Turned To This Week: 'Baltimore'

For this week's Plus One Podcast we take a closer look at a song that seems to be on a lot of people's minds this week: Nina Simone's cover of Randy Newman's "Baltimore."

Plus One: Nina Simone's 'Baltimore'

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The Diverse Influence Of The 2013 Rock Hall Inductees

Public Enemy on stage in 1988. The group will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of fame Thursday. Suzie Gibbons/Redferns/Getty Images hide caption

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The Record

The Diverse Influence Of The 2013 Rock Hall Inductees

WCPN

As the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducts a new class, musicians and writers look at how influence — one of the Hall's criteria for induction — plays out in ways obvious (how Beyonce draws on Donna Summer) and not so much (jazz pianist Vijay Iyer explains how Public Enemy shaped his music).

The Diverse Influence Of The 2013 Rock Hall Inductees

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Randy Newman: Return Of A Playful Icon

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Favorite Sessions

Randy Newman: Return Of A Playful Icon

WFUV

In this studio session with WFUV, the great American songwriter sits down at the piano and plays a few of his best-known hits.

Randy Newman: Return Of A Playful Icon

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When The Levee Breaks: Ripples Of The Great Flood

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Music News

When The Levee Breaks: Ripples Of The Great Flood

Along the mighty Mississippi River, rising waters carry musical echoes of the river's long history of floods. Many of those sonic tributaries reach back to perhaps the worst one in U.S. history: the Great Flood of 1927. Its history can be found in textbooks, but it comes to life in music.

When The Levee Breaks: Ripples Of The Great Flood

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Discussion: The Decade Defined

All Songs Considered

Discussion: The Decade Defined

It's hard to believe, but the first decade of the new millennium is rapidly drawing to a close — and it's been a remarkable one for music. In this edition of All Songs Considered, host Bob Boilen looks back at some of the defining trends, sounds and historic moments that made the '00s stand out, in a roundtable discussion with Monitor Mix blogger Carrie Brownstein, All Songs Considered producer Robin Hilton and NPR Music editor Stephen Thompson.

Discussion: The Decade Defined

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Music Interviews

In Defense, Randy Newman Has A Few Words

His sharp-tongued lyrics have skewered rednecks, kingpins and heartless politicians. Newman has riled a long list of people — and it's likely to grow with the release of his new CD, Harps and Angels. He may be the most misunderstood songwriter ever.

In Defense, Randy Newman Has A Few Words

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Live in Concert

Randy Newman Plays With 'Harps and Angels'

The singer-songwriter took the stage at Los Angeles' club Largo for an intimate, funny show. He played song his new album, Harps and Angels and some old favorites. He told stories about his family between the songs, laughing with the band--easy, warm, charming.

Randy Newman Plays With 'Harps and Angels'

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Guest DJ Joanna Newsom

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All Songs Considered

Guest DJ Joanna Newsom

Joanna Newsom's harp-driven story songs befuddle anyone trying to classify her music. Newsom talks about her latest CD, the enchanting Ys, and shares some of her favorite recordings.

Guest DJ Joanna Newsom

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Music News

Randy Newman, 'Louisiana 1927'

Hundreds of songs have been written about New Orleans and Louisiana. One that's been played frequently in recent days has a special poignancy. Singer-songwriter Randy Newman talks about his song, "Louisiana 1927."

Randy Newman, 'Louisiana 1927'

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