By Bill Lloyd

12 Songs -1970

My entry point in being a Newman fan was Harry Nilsson’s album, Nilsson Sings Newman that featured Harry singing multi-overdubbed vocals to Randy’s stark piano. I knew that album well..and later got deep into Sail Away, Good Ol’ Boys and Little Criminals. 12 Songs is one of those albums I special ordered at the record store knowing it was one that I should have. Like vitamins. Good for you! The reason I grabbed it this morning is because I don’t remember it all that well.. time to get reacquainted!

Produced by Lenny Waronker, Newman ’s second album for Reprise is a showcase for his unique skills as a songwriter and stylist. He was already having success as a songwriter but how do you set those jewels? 12 Songs is a stripped down band that keeps the arrangements centered around Newman’s New Orleans piano style and American songbook musicality. Byrds Clarence White and Gene Parson’s shine on My Old Kentucky Home. The great Jack Nitzsche lent his production skills to the team on Burn Down the Cornfield to add atmosphere..it kind of pre-dates what Tom Waits did years later. Ry Cooder bottleneck guitar and cool percussion.

Back when, I knew some of these songs from other versions. Mama Told Me Not To Come was a huge Three Dog Night hit and I knew Have You Seen My Baby from Ringo Starr’s version. I actually recorded a version of Mama Told Me Not To Come a few years back for a cool collection that was a “Tribute to 1970”. I’ll link in comments.

So good to hear this again this morning. Especially after a soul-filling song-swap at the Bluebird last night with Don Henry and Pat Terry that was a fundraiser for Alive Hospice. Newman’s sardonic humor doesn’t seem to play well with others for many (some folks tried to get his hit Short People banned as “hate speech” back in 1978). I sense no malice… just an ironic look at humanity and who we are. That’s what makes him great.

Bill Lloyd is a Nashville-based Grammy-nominated songwriter, musician, recording artist and producer, often remembered as half of the late ‘80’s RCA country-rock duo, Foster and Lloyd. Since then,Lloyd has recorded a string of critically acclaimed solo records that blend his melodic power pop sensibility with finely tuned songcraft. You’ll find his full bio and music at www.billlloydmusic.net