Randy Newman was featured in the Observer last weekend, in which his song "Losing You" was described as "a reminder of what a poignant musician Newman can be." Now, as part of the Guardian and Observer's How I Wrote video series, he performs the song at the piano and shares the beautiful and touching true-life story behind the song. Watch the video here. The A.V. Club offers the uninitiated an introduction to Newman's work, calling him "one of the finest songwriters of his time."

Randy Newman was the musical guest on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon last night. He performed "Losing You," off his latest Nonesuch release, Songbook Vol. 2, which Fallon calls "a beautiful record." Prefix says the new album's "reinterpretations of his classic works offer a chance to hear his material with fresh ears," and the Late Night "performance demonstrates Newman’s famous way with words, but it also shows what an affecting singer he can be." Watch it here, along with a web-exclusive performance of "Short People."

The Austin City Limits Festival has announced the complete line-up for the 10th anniversary edition of the three-day festival to be held in Austin's Zilker Park this September, and, says BlackBook, "Austin's just showing off now." Among the performers: Randy Newman and Wanda Jackson. Austin 360 includes Newman among the festival's best "gets," placing him at no. 3, just after Stevie Wonder and Kanye West. The Wall Street Journal calls Jackson's new album "one of this year's unexpected treats."

Randy Newman performs "Losing You," off his new album, Songbook Vol. 2., on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon tonight on NBC. The Observer says: "'Losing You' is a reminder of what a poignant musician Newman can be. Since his self-titled debut in 1968 he has remained in the highest rank of American lyricists, alongside Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell." Songbook is "a reminder of his singular gifts and enviable longevity."

Randy Newman performs three song off his newly release Songbook Vol. 2 on BBC Two's Later ... with Jools Holland tonight: "Birmingham," "Laugh and Be Happy," and "Same Girl." Newman posed on the set for the photo at left with fellow guest Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks. He appeared on the BBC World Service show The Strand last night and is on BBC Radio 2's Bob Harris Sunday this weekend. Newman performs on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on Monday; enter to win up-close seats to the NYC performance.

Randy Newman's Songbook Vol. 2 is out today on Nonesuch. On the new album, Newman takes a fresh look at both classic and more recent work in new solo takes on 16 of his celebrated songs, surveying 40 years of recordings. MusicOMH calls it "an invigorating celebration of the power of music, and a delicate declaration of the power of one man and his piano." Newman performs on Later ... with Jools Holland this Friday and on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on Monday.

Randy Newman's Songbook Vol. 2 is out on Nonesuch next week."Newman never sounds more quintessentially Newman than when experienced, as here, alone at the piano," says the Independent four-star review, "with the lyrical intricacies and ironies of his songs dependent on just his laconic delivery and trenchant accompaniment for their effect." Newman appeared on BBC One TV's The One Show, where sand artist Jamie Wardley designed the sand rendering of Newman pictured here.

Randy Newman's Songbook Vol. 2 is out next week. He sat at the piano to discuss the album and his career on BBC Radio 4's Front Row. The Daily Telegraph gives the album a perfect five stars. "Known for the clever orchestral arrangements on his album work, the stripped-down feel of the Songbook series allows the sharp craftsmanship of Newman’s playful writing to shine through," says the Telegraph. The new album "is an invigorating celebration of the joys of great songwriting and proof of the power of one man and his piano."

The Randy Newman Songbook Vol. 2, on which Newman takes a fresh look at both classic and more recent work in new solo recordings of his celebrated songs, is now available for pre-order in the Nonesuch Store with a limited-edition poster, a number of which will be signed by Newman. The poster features the original cover art from Newman's 1968 self-titled debut album, which marks the starting point of the new album's repertoire.

Today is Opening Day for Major League Baseball, and, as with fans everywhere and in all walks of life, team loyalties run deep among Nonesuch artists (and staff members). Chris Thile wishes his Twitter followers a "Happy Opening Day!" The Low Anthem's Jeff Prystowsky offers predictions as one of the "heavy-hitting bassists who happen to be big baseball fans" featured in ESPN's 2011 "bass-ball" preview. Randy Newman tells Paste: "I love baseball ... I think that baseball fields are about the most beautiful things in the world.”

Randy Newman's North American tour brought the singer-songwriter to the New York area for several performances, including Saturday's show at The Town Hall in New York City. Time Out New York exclaims: "The Town Hall is across the street from the Stephen Sondheim Theatre, whose namesake, along with Bob Dylan, gives this great American songwriter his only real competition." The Village Voice concurs, calling him "the greatest living songwriter not named something that rhymes with Smob Smylan."

Congratulations to Randy Newman, who won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for "We Belong Together" from the film Toy Story 3. It's second Oscar win. Newman received a Grammy Award for the film's score earlier this month. Nonesuch will release The Randy Newman Songbook Vol. 2 on May 10. On the album, Newman takes a fresh look at both classic and more recent work in new solo recordings of his celebrated songs. He resumes his tour tomorrow night at Strathmore in Maryland and heads to New York City later this week. Watch his Oscar acceptance speech here.