Rick Nelson didn't kill the song
DW | California, US | 02/10/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a reply rather than a review (I love this work and the Dusty, Nilsson versions especially). Please don't blame Rick Nelson for changing the lyrics to Love Story and thereby 'ruining' the song.
Peggy Lee also recorded it (prior to Nelson) and used the words
We'll play checkers in the sun.
Playing checkers can be fun.
Yes, this is lame compared to Newman's acerbic original. But please don't tar Nelson for the change. I believe it was Miss Lee's choice to rewrite the lyric.
Tastes in music and the pressures of the industry to produce hit recordings had more to do with it than simply the reticence of the recording artist. Both Miss Lee (an excellent songwriter in her own right) and Mr Nelson were responding to the attitudes of the industry captains.
Perhaps Mr Newman will one day set the record straight.
"
Good collection of early Newman the songwriter
J. W. Aughinbaugh | Webster Groves,MO USA | 07/20/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Randy Newman is one of our greatest songwriters and composers.He is,however,limited vocally,as he himself has noted.When Nilsson offered to do an album of his songs,Newman said he was very happy at the prospect since Harry could do things with his voice that he couldn't do-like hold a note.Here we have a good mix of both familiar and unfamiliar songs by a bunch of folks who sing quite well and do Newman justice. Scott Walker,Gene Pitney,Gene McDaniels,Dusty Springfield,Nilsson and,yes,Rick Nelson are among the high points of this album.The abrupt ending of Nelson's song may be due to its inclusion in a Newman medley on Nelson's album.Although I haven't heard it, I do know that "Love Story" is reprised later in the medley ,perhaps with the last line saved for that appearance,for dramatic effect. My only criticism of the album being reviewed here would be that I don't think it's quite as good as the afore referenced "Nilsson Sings Newman" ,one of the best albums ever.Still,this CD has a lot more songs than Nilsson's,so I would recommend buying both."