You've Heard These Hands: From the Wall of Sound to the Wrecking Crew and Other Incredible Stories - Hardcover

Randi, Don

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1495008827 ISBN 13: 9781495008825

Publisher: Hal Leonard, 2015

Synopsis

As a keyboard musician, composer, arranger, music director, and record producer, Don Randi has thrilled music lovers for years, even if they weren't aware of it... until now. He played keyboards on over a thousand popular recordings and was a member of the remarkable “Wrecking Crew” of studio musicians during the explosive pop music era of the 1960s and early 1970s. Nancy Sinatra, the Beach Boys, the Jackson 5, Elvis Presley, Sammy Davis Jr., Neil Diamond, and Linda Ronstadt are among the many music greats Randi has worked with and writes about in You've Heard These Hands.

For many years, only music industry insiders, close friends, and jazz fans who visit Randi's nightclub, the Baked Potato, have heard him tell some of the amazing, heartfelt, and hilarious personal stories in this collection. Now everyone can discover the in-studio, behind-the-scenes, and on-tour tales from the man whose hands we've heard playing on our favorite hit tunes. You've Heard These Hands will capture the attention and emotion of its readers, who won't be able to resist sharing Randi's stories with their friends.

About this title

About the Author:

Don Randi (Agoura Hills, CA) is a composer, arranger, music director, and keyboard musician. As part of the legendary “Wrecking Crew” group of studio musicians, he made hundreds of hit records in the 1960s and 1970s. He founded LA's Baked Potato jazz club in 1970 and has owned it ever since, and he has released 20 jazz albums of his own, including the 1980 Grammy-nominated New Baby and the 2013 Acoustimania.
Karen “Nish” Nishimura (Los Angeles, CA) is an independent writer and an entertainment producer behind many digital advertising campaigns and promotions, including projects for Disney Online, Sony Pictures, Mattel, and CBS. A passionate jazz lover, she met Don Randi at the Baked Potato and eagerly agreed to become his biographer.

Review:

''[T]his book is sure to interest not only any fan of the Wall of Sound but also the casual music fan leaning towards classic 60s and 70s music. Name a US hit artist or iconic single and there's a good chance Don and his golden piano-playing hands have been involved. The guy's résumé is nothing short of impressive which applies to the Wrecking Crew in general of course...'You've Heard these Hands' needs to be on your bookshelf next to Hal Blaine's book if you re a fan of the 60s LA studio scene and beyond.'' --Cue Castanets

''Don Randi's You've Heard These Hands is a fun, breezy read, full of behind-the-scenes anecdotes from the pop music world of the 1960s and 1970s. It's worth checking out if you're a '60s music enthusiast, or if you enjoy entertainment autobiographies.'' --Something Else Reviews

''Randi played keyboards on over a thousand popular recordings and was a member of the so-called ''Wrecking Crew'' of studio musicians during the explosive pop music era of the '60s and early '70s. Nancy Sinatra, The Beach Boys, The Jackson 5, Elvis Presley, Sammy Davis Jr., Neil Diamond and Linda Ronstadt are among the many music greats Randi worked with and writes about in this anecdote filled memoir.'' --Music Connection Magazine

About this edition

• Publisher: Hal Leonard
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 1495008827
• ISBN 13: 9781495008825
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 254