RANDY NEWMAN: HARPS AND ANGELS (Nonesuch) ****
AMERICA, like all empires, has come to an end. This is the driving theme of Harps And Angels, but Newman is a man of multitudes. He spits at US governance one minute (A Few Words) and chokes up the next (Feels Like Home). The personal and political entwine lyrically with supreme cleverness, while New Orleans jazz, C&W, the Hollywood soundtrack are spitefully parodied. Classic Randy.