In the field of prestidigitation, there is The Amazing Randi, James Randi. However, in the realm of music, the amazing Don Randi, Nancy’s longtime accompanist, has been creating magic with his keyboard for more than five decades. As Don himself notes, “Music is magic.”
In recognition of Don’s 75th birthday, February 25, 2012, the following appreciation provides a brief look at just a few moments in Nancy’s forty-seven-year association with “The ever faithful, always cool Don Randi.”
As a member of the legendary Wrecking Crew, as a solo recording artist, and as leader of The Don Randi Trio and Quest (who perform often at his jazz club, The Baked Potato), Don has played on countless recordings.
From Don’s notes in the the booklet of Nancy’s 1995 CD, One More Time:
“Take a great bunch of musicians, a super producer [Ray Ruff] and my all-time favorite female singer. Put us together in a recording studio and the result is a combination of love, friendship and musical magic.”
Nancy and Don appear in the studio, at a session for one of Nancy’s Reprise recordings (ca. 1960s).
Nancy’s One More Time album was born, in a sense, at Don’s club, The Baked Potato. Continuing the thread of “magic,” Nancy recounts the genesis of the project in her notes for the CD booklet:
“There’s magic in this next part: One night at his jazz club in Hollywood, The Baked Potato, my close friend and longtime road buddy Don Randi introduced me to veteran producer Ray Ruff. Ray was about to launch a record label and needed just the right artist to start out with. Bingo!”
Nancy’s One More Time album version of Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn’s “Now I Have Everything” (from The Giant Of Thunder Mountain) features an elegant piano solo by Don, which complements Nancy’s beautiful vocal.
Nancy’s recording of “The Love Theme From ‘The Independent’” is featured on the end title sequence of the 2000 film The Independent. The recording session for the song is documented on the film’s 2007 edition DVD (released: February 12, 2008), as the bonus feature “The Making Of ‘The Love Theme From The Independent’ Starring Nancy Sinatra.” This 5-minute, 20-second featurette provides a rare and invaluable look at Nancy in the recording studio with Don Randi, composer Ben Vaughn, director Stephen Kessler, and producer and co-writer Mike Wilkins. Although the song has not been released on CD or as digital download, the 3-minute, 30-second version can be heard over the end title on the DVD. The extended vocal version is contained in the DVD’s documentary bonus feature.
Nancy’s simultaneously sultry and droll performance and the accompanying behind-the-scenes footage illustrating Nancy and Don’s creative process are hidden gems of Nancy’s catalog.
On tour with Nancy in 1995, Don appeared with her at Mama Kin (the Aerosmith-co-owned rock club), in Boston. From that show (May 4, 1995), Nancy and Don are shown during the performance of “Good Time Girl.”
Don is prominently featured on this version of “These Boots Are Made For Walkin’,” which was performed as part of Nancy’s concert at the Liquid Room in Edinburgh, for her 2002 BBC-TV special.
Don has been a member of Nancy’s K.A.B., as promoted on her 2004 All Access EPK (electronic press kit) DVD.
Also: See this photo of Nancy and her band, originally posted by Nancy on May 12, 2003.
Don accompanies Nancy as she performs “These Boots Are Made For Walkin’” on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno (April 7, 1995).
From the same Tonight Show appearance, here is a clip of Don’s work on Nancy’s performance of “One More Time.”
On the the Donny & Marie talk show (April 9, 1999), Don plays for Nancy’s interpretation of “Like A Rolling Stone.”
Don appears with Nancy for this collaborative version of “These Boots Are Made For Walkin’” (with Tony Danza), on the December 3, 2004 episode of The Tony Danza Show.
As one of his most magical recordings, Don’s hauntingly evocative performance on his self-penned 1965 single “Baby, You Don’t Understand Nothin’” (Palomar 2210) is underscored by Jack Nitzsche’s brilliantly dramatic string arrangement.
“Baby, You Don’t Understand Nothin’”
Billboard’s July 10, 1965 “Spotlight Singles” described Don’s creation as a “pulsating, intriguing original piece of instrumental material [...]“
The Dutch release of the single (London FLX 3159) flipped the A and B sides (listing “Mexican Sunset” first) and featured this interesting picture sleeve: “PHIL SPECTOR presents: DON RANDI and his mysterious PIANO.”
“I love him dearly. He is one of my most special friends. Talented, loyal and funny.” ~ Nancy
[Photo orginally posted by Nancy on April 1, 2002.]
One More Time…
For more information, visit donrandi.com and thebakedpotato.com.
