Randy Newman's Faust

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Randy Newman's Faust is a 1995 musical by American musician and songwriter Randy Newman, who based the work on the classic story of Faust, borrowing elements from the version by Goethe, as well as Milton's Paradise Lost, but updating the story to the modern day, and infusing it with humorous cynicism. In this retelling, God and the Devil fight for the soul of Henry Faust, a student at the University of Notre Dame. The musical was performed at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego in September 1995, and the Goodman Theatre in Chicago in Sept 1996, as well as released as a CD as a concept album. In July 2014, a stripped-down, modernized "concert" version was staged for Encores! at New York City Center.

"Life Has Been Good to Me" was performed by French Stewart as Harry Solomon on "A Nightmare on Dick Street," an episode of NBC's 3rd Rock from the Sun. Several of the show's songs were performed in "Ally McBeal: The Musical, Almost", the third-season finale of Ally McBeal.

Video Randy Newman's Faust

History

Randy Newman's Faust first had a limited run at La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego in September 1995, which coincided with the release of a concept album version, featuring a different cast and arrangements than the stage version. The stage production, directed by Michael Greif was praised for its score, but criticized for its script and characters.

The script was rewritten by David Mamet for the second production, in Chicago's Goodman Theatre. This production, featuring the same principal cast, suffered similar criticisms that its script was still not the equal of its score. It ran from September 30 to November 2, 1996.

On July 1, 2014, New York City Center's Encores! staged a one-night-only performance of the show. This version was stripped down for a more minimal "concert" presentation and heavily rewritten. As on the album (but unlike earlier stage versions), Newman himself assumed the role of Lucifer, alongside a new cast that included Isiah Johnson, Tony Vincent, Laura Osnes, and Vonda Shepard.

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Critical reception

In a contemporary review for Playboy, music critic Robert Christgau found the album's vivid songs and musical comedy settings ideal for Newman's "high-spirited cynicism": "Musical comedy is the perfect medium for his unique synthesis of soundtrack grandeur, blues-savvy studio rock, and general Americana." He named it the fifth best album of the year. However, Faust only finished 87th in the voting for the Pazz & Jop, an annual critics poll run by The Village Voice. Al Weisel of Rolling Stone was critical of songs like "Little Island" and "Northern Boy", which he felt deviate from the storyline, although he called the album "the best work in years for all involved".

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CD cast

• Mephistopheles: Randy Newman
• Lord: James Taylor
• Henry Faust: Don Henley
• Angel Rick: Elton John
• Margaret: Linda Ronstadt
• Martha: Bonnie Raitt

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Track listing

All tracks written by Randy Newman.

Disc Two (2005 expanded edition reissue only)

1. "Pass On Over" [Demo]
2. "How Great Our Lord" [Demo]
3. "Each Perfect Day" [Demo]
4. "Best Little Girl" [Demo]
5. "It Was Beautiful" [Demo]
6. "Northern Boy" [Demo]
7. "Bless The Children of the World" [Demo]
8. "Damn Fine Day" [Demo]
9. "March Of The Protestants" [Demo]
10. "Little Island" [Demo]
11. "The Man" [Demo]
12. "Love Time" [Demo]
13. "Relax, Enjoy Yourself" [Demo]
14. "When Love Is in the Air" [Demo]
15. "Gainesville Florida" [Demo]
16. "Life Has Been Good to Me" [Demo]
17. "My Hero" [Demo]
18. "Hard Currency" [Demo]
19. "Sandman's Coming" [Demo]
20. "Basin Street Blues" [Demo]

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Personnel

• Randy Newman - vocals, piano
• James Taylor - vocals
• Elton John - vocals
• Linda Ronstadt - vocals
• Don Henley - vocals
• Bonnie Raitt - vocals
• Bob Mann - guitar
• Michael Landau - guitar
• Michael Thompson - guitar
• Ry Cooder - guitar
• Mark Goldenberg - guitar
• John Gaux - guitar
• Doug Livingston - pedal steel
• Steve Tavaglione - saxophone
• Bill Payne - Hammond B-3 organ
• Benmont Tench - Hammond B-3 organ
• Randy Waldman - synthesizer
• Robbie Buchanan - synthesizer
• Randy Kerber - synthesizer
• Jimmy Johnson - bass
• James Hutchinson - bass
• Larry Klein - bass
• Leland Sklar - bass
• Carlos Vega - drums
• Danny Carmassi - drums
• Kenny Aronoff - drums
• Jim Keltner - drums
• Michael Fisher - percussion
• Waddy Wachtel - guitar

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References

Source of the article : Wikipedia