Randy Newman performed the entirety of his forthcoming Nonesuch release, Harps and Angels, this past Wednesday in a special, intimate showcase at the new LA venue Largo at the Coronet. The show was presented in association with NPR, which will broadcast the performance and make it available for streaming at npr.org within the next couple of weeks. (Check back for more details on air dates.) The new record is due out August 5 and is available now for pre-order in the Nonesuch Store.

Variety's Steven Mirkin writes that "both the concert and the wonderful new album ... show Newman to be at the height of his powers, writing some of the most acerbic and heartfelt songs of his career."

Mirkin calls the band Randy brought together for the occasion—album co-producer Mitchell Froom, Joey Waronker, Bob Glaub, and George Doering—"a crack quartet" that "made for a lovely, intimate perf that streamlined the album's arrangements without losing any of their humor and bite."

"Newman," the reviewer concludes, "seemed almost surprised that these mostly unfamiliar songs were so well received by the sold-out Largo aud. He shouldn't be."

To read the full concert review, with song-by-song detail and a comparison to Brecht/Weill, visit variety.com.

---

The Independent out of Ireland offers an early record review, giving it four stars and assuring fans: "The unflinching social commentary that made his name is intact, so too is his trademark black humour." Read the review at indpendent.ie.