Album of the Day

Released 45 years ago today, Randy Newman's GOOD OLD BOYS validated all the praise that critics had heaped on the singer-songwriter since his debut. If the wicked insight of songs like “Rednecks” was familiar to longtime fans, the ambitious mix of history (“Louisiana 1927”) and contemporary commentary (“Mr. President (Have Pity On The Working Man)”) kicked things up a notch, as did some of the most masterful arrangements and orchestrations of Newman's career. Produced by Lenny Waronker and Russ Titelman, the Reprise collection also includes guest turns by guitarist Ry Cooder and most of the Eagles. GOOD OLD BOYS was Randy Newman's first Top 40 success, and later earned a place on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.