The Song & The Story
Hassie befriended and studied with Sinatra’s music director, Julio Villanueva, who encouraged her song writing talent. Her journey through four years of living and working between Vegas and Reno culminated in the song that is featured in the book. “I Just Can’t Figure it Out” (Hassie’s Song) is the emotional result of a tumultuous and disastrous love affair that will follow her throughout her life.
Pamela Cory wrote the lyrics for Hassie’s Song as part of the text of the book. Pamela also wrote the initial melody, which constituted the first version of the song. After a two-year search for a collaborator to help arrange the song for piano and vocal, Pamela reconnected with Kathy A. Sipe, a keyboardist, composer and arranger, and a former colleague in the cabaret world. Kathy or KAS, as she is known, sunk her teeth into the first version and made a very valuable contribution to the structure of the song, resulting in the need for more lyrics and then a final piano arrangement.
Given the fact that Pamela lived in Dubai during the collaborative efforts and KAS was in Atlanta, the communication was carried out through email and the occasional Skype conversation. And, to make matters just a little more challenging, Pamela’s charming little Casio keyboard required a lot of use of musical imagination!
The Experience
Hassie’s Song was recorded on March 21, 2011, at The Lab Studios in London. Drew Horley was the sole producer of the three tracks from his master mixing board in the control room. The four members of the band and the vocalist, Cassidy Janson, were neatly tucked into the live sound room for the recording. Thanks to Drew’s professional setup and expert know-how, the song was recorded and mixed (including the band’s set-up and break-down) in just under four hours. You can contact Drew in London on +44 207 622 3332. or email him at drew@thelabstudios.com.

At The Lab Studios, the recording booth with bassist Ed Morris, drummer Mike Smith, and music director and instrumental arranger Fraser Skeoch.

Vocalist, Cassidy “CJ” Janson, joins the band to record Hassie’s Song

Pamela Cory with vocalist Cassidy Janson in the pub after the recording session, all smiles

To view a PDF of the lyrics please click here.
The Artists
Kathy A. Sipe (KAS)
Fraser Skeoch, Keyboardist/Musical Director/Arranger
Cassidy “CJ” Janson, Vocalist
Ed Morris, Bassist
Jamie Talbot, Saxophonist
Mike Smith, Drummer
Bryan Kennedy, Producer