AMG Review of Randy Newman's Faust [Expanded]

Stephen Thomas Erlewine
All Music Guide

Since Randy Newman has always borrowed from Hollywood and Broadway musicals in his songwriting, it's not surprising that he wrote his own full-blown musical with Randy Newman's Faust. Adapting Goethe's classic morality play for the '90s, Newman has his God and Devil vying for the soul of a Harvard college student. However, neither wins because they can't keep abreast of modern times -- the Devil tempts the student with a recording contract, but the student wants his own video game company since that's where the money is. The bombastic production features large orchestras and choirs as well as guest artists: James Taylor (God), Don Henley (Student), Elton John, Bonnie Raitt, and Linda Ronstadt. [The 2003 deluxe edition includes extra tracks.]