Harps and Angels is a studio album by Randy Newman. It was released on August 5, 2008, and was produced by Mitchell Froom and Lenny Waronker. It contains two updated versions of previously released compositions. “Feels Like Home” originally appeared on his musical album Randy Newman's Faust, and a demo of "Laugh and be Happy" was included in the box set Guilty: 30 Years of Randy Newman.
Harps and Angels debuted on the UK Albums Chart at #46. It was made #48 in Q's 50 Best Albums of the Year 2008. The song "A Few Words in Defense of Our Country" was named the sixth best song of the 2000s decade by music critic Robert Christgau.
All songs written and arranged by Randy Newman
- "Harps and Angels" - 5:07
- "Losing You" - 2:41
- "Laugh and Be Happy" - 2:17
- "A Few Words in Defense of Our Country" - 4:14
- "A Piece of the Pie" - 2:41
- "Easy Street" - 3:14
- "Korean Parents" - 3:26
- "Only a Girl" - 2:45
- "Potholes" - 3:39
- "Feels Like Home" - 4:37
Randy Newman - pianist and bandleaderGreg Cohen - bassSteve Donnelly - guitarPete Thomas - drumsGreg Leisz - pedal steel guitar and acoustic slide guitarMitchell Froom - keyboard and organViolins: Roger Wilkie (concertmaster), Eun-Mee Ahn, Jacqueline Brand, Kevin Connolly, Joel Derouin, Julie Ann Gigante, Natalie Leggett, Helen Nightengale, Alyssa Park, Sara Parkins, Katia Popov, Rafael Rishik, Anatoly Rosinsky, Marc Sazer, Tereza Stanislav, Lisa M. Sutton, Sarah Thornblade, Irina VoloshinaViolas: Brian Dembow (first viola), Robert Berg, Thomas Diener, Steven Gordon, Roland Kato, Darrin McCann, Victoria Miskolczy, Michael Nowak, Shanti Randall, David WaltherVioloncelli: Dennis Karmazyn (first cello), Antony Cooke, Steve Erdody, Christine Ermacoff, Armen Ksajikian, Andrew Shulman, David Speltz, Cecelia TsanBass violins: Michael Valerio (first bass violin), Drew Dembowski, Edward Meares, Susan RanneyFlutes: James Walker, Norda Mullen, Geraldine Rotella, David ShostacClarinets: Gary Boyver, Stuart Clark, Donald Foster, Marty KrystallSaxophones: Daniel Higgins, Gary Foster, Greg Huckins, Bill Liston, Brian ScanlonOboes: Thomas Boyd, Leslie ReedBassoons: Kenneth Munday, Michael O'Donovan, Judith FarmerFrench horns: James Thatcher, Mark Adams, Richard ToddTrumpets: Warren Luening, Malcolm McNab, Daniel Fornero, Jon Lewis, Timothy MorrisonTrombones: William Booth, Bruce Fowler, Alesander Iles, William Reichenbach, George ThatcherTuba: Doug TornquistPercussion (including mallets): Alan Estes, Gregory GoodallHarps: Jo Ann Turovsky, Allison AllportAccordion: Frank MaroccoBackground vocals: Carmen Carter, Tim Davis, Luana Jackman, Steve Jackson, Rick Logan, Susan Stevens Logan, Fletcher Sheridan, Oren Waters, Terry WoodsProduced by Mitchell Froom and Lenny WaronkerEngineered by David BoucherRecorded at Sunset Sound Studios in Hollywood and at The Newman Stage, Twentieth Century Fox Studios in Beverly HillsMixed at Tea Time Studios in Santa MonicaMastered by Robert C. Ludwig at Gateway Mastering Studios in Portland, MaineRandy Newman's personal manager: Cathy Kerr Management, Inc. of Los AngelesAngry Belgians on "A Piece of the Pie": Kathie Van Kerckhoven and Jeremy AltervainHappy immigrants on "Laugh and Be Happy": Los Amigos Locos del EsteOrchestral contractor: Sandy DeCrescentMusic preparation: Jo Ann Kane Music ServicesVocal contractor: Luana JackmanAlbum photography: Autumn De WildeStock photography for booklet by Jupiterimages (page 8), Perry Mastrovito (outside inlay), and Photo 24 (inside inlay)Art direction and design: Barbara De WildeProduction manager for Nonesuch Records: Eli CaneEditorial coordinator for Nonesuch Records: Ronen GivonyExecutive in charge of production for Nonesuch Records: Karina BeznickiExecutive producer: Robert Hurwitz
