Lucky 7 (feat. Don Randi & John DePatie)

Acoustimania;

Produced, written and arranged by Don Randi and John DePatie
Recorded at Firehouse Recording Studios, Pasadena, CA
Studio Manager: Jason Upright
Recording Engineer: Damon Tedesco
Assistant Engineer: Jeremy Underwood

Mastered at Bernie Becker Mastering, Pasadena, CA
Mastering Engineer: Dale Becker

Piano (Bösendorfer 7’4”Grand): Don Randi
Guitar (Yamaha acoustic, nylon strings): John DePatie
About Acoustimania
Don Randi and John DePatie have known each other since 2004. John answered a call to audition for Nancy Sinatra’s band and was welcomed into the distinguished Sinatra Band that Don directs. They very naturally became friends and it was soon evident to Don and John they had a unique artistic rapport.
The project itself began over a year ago when Don shared his idea for an acoustic duet piece with John after listening to a fully orchestrated recording that had Latin flavor to the arrangement. As odd as that might sound to some, John understood what Don had in mind and this explains how the duo’s talents are simpatico. Excited from the start, Don and John knew it was going to be a fun project to work on.
As they collaborated to write and arrange the 12 tracks of this CD, they met, experimented and eventually rehearsed each song many times before going into the studio to record. They recorded the album in one day which is not incredible when reminded that both Don and John are experienced playing live sets together. In these songs, John and Don show the way they communicate and define their musical moods and direction so creatively. The depth of emotion and soul heard in each composition was reached because both artists had natural moments of inspiration in each duet they played. You’ll hear the marvelous results of this pairing in Acoustimania.
When they began writing, each tune was numbered. It wasn’t until the songs were recorded that they began to name each tune. Some titles came easily; “Tommy T” is a tribute to guitar phenom, Tommy Tedesco, “Late For the Gig,” is an up-tempo tune with a feeling of movement, “Funk Shui” is a blues tune. Others have a back story to the composition like “Mom and Pop” for John’s parents… while he was writing the tune, vacationing on the east coast with his parents, he would record himself playing the song at night and in the morning playback his work. About that time his parents would be waking up for breakfast and would say, “That sounds really good!” Don titled “Letting Go” which is an emotional ballad for his wife, Norma. “Snow Globe” was inspired by Billy Joel’s Lullaby and for its whimsical quality. Don and John encourage listeners to connect their own inspiration with the rest of the tunes and their titles.
About Don Randi
Don Randi is best known in music circles as the busy studio keyboard musician during the prolific period when the Wall of Sound Band (aka The Wrecking Crew) were turning out every top ten hit from the early 1960’s through the 1970’s. Don’s incredible music talents and career cover performance, writing, arranging and producing, as well as directing many of the artists and songs that are fan favorites and have sold millions worldwide. The Righteous Brothers, “You Lost That Loving Feeling,” Nancy Sinatra, “These Boots Are Made For Walking,” Linda Ronstadt, “Different Drum,” The Beach Boys, “Good Vibrations” and Neil Diamond, “Cracklin’ Rosie” just to name a few. In 1970 he opened The Baked Potato jazz club in Studio City, California, where his band, Don Randi and Quest, still plays each month. Over the years, while working on just about everyone else’s recordings, Don managed to release 19 jazz albums of his own, including “New Baby” which was nominated for a Grammy in 1980. “Acoustimania” is Don Randi’s 20th jazz album release. Coming soon from Don Randi… a book about his life spotlighting many of the behind-the-scenes, in-the-studio and on-tour stories that only Don can tell. “You Heard These Hands” is slated to be published by 2014.
About John DePatie
Born in Columbus, Ohio, guitarist John DePatie moved to Los Angeles in 1992 and has worked with many top artists including Nancy Sinatra and Leif Garrett, and he has performed internationally under his own name. His band Cathouse Thursday with Will Faeber and Aaron Bagley has recorded four albums and is working on the fifth. He also works with Kim Cameron & Side FX and their collaboration “Not Into You” reached the Billboard charts. John DePatie is a band member of Don Randi and Quest. John has also released his solo EP,”Psychedelic Cowboy.” “Acoustimania” is John DePatie’s first all-acoustic album.

Special Thanks!
Don and John would like to thank Damon Tedesco and everyone at Firehouse Studios, Dale Becker and everyone at Bernie Becker Mastering, Justin Randi and everyone at The Baked Potato, the DePatie family (Molly, Dick and Dan), Norma
Randi, Takeshi Akimoto, Nancy Sinatra, Donald Schwartz, Karen “Nish” Nishimura, and each other.

CD Cover Design by Donald Schwartz
Liner notes written by Karen “Nish” Nishimura