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Created: Wednesday, 19 August 2015 20:08

Written by Shauna

September Release - "I Can See Clearly Now"

“I Can See Clearly Now” was written and first recorded by Johnny Nash with a June 1972 release. After making modest chart advances for a month, the single unexpectedly took only two weeks to vault from No. 20, to No. 5, to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, remaining at the top of that chart for four weeks

This song has been on our “possibles” list for many years, with no impetus to pull the trigger on production. Enter Jack and Tony. I was blessed with the opportunity to be a guest at the first TOTL Recordings’ school and recording session last May. I happened to be sitting next to Tony at dinner one evening when Jack sent him a link to the Karen Peck version of this song. I immediately fell in love with it and was totally bummed that it was in Tony’s hands. I jokingly picked up my phone as if I was logging into the producer’s “clearing house” and said to Tony, “Chic reserves ‘I Can See Clearly Now.’” Tony, being Tony, asked if I really wanted it. I honestly told him that it had been on my list, but I hadn’t pulled the trigger yet. Having heard this new version, I would LOVE to cut it. He replied “it’s yours.”

Since the text came from Jack, I suggested to Tony that maybe I could steal Jack for the vocal. A few text messages later, and Jack was on board. He took the rough track for a lot of test drives (I even got to hear one and sing some harmony in Evansville), and then he gave us a great vocal for the final cut.

I reached out to Staff Caller, Deborah Carroll-Jones for the female range track. This was a great song choice for her, and she nailed it!

Wikipedia lists “reggae” as the genre for the Johnny Nash version of the tune, and he was certainly inspired by that genre when he wrote the song. The Karen Peck version emphasized that rhythm even further, and then added a really cool Latin vibe with a catgut guitar and mandolin. Those two things, along with the beautiful harmonies on their track are what we tried to capture with our release. Jimmy’s guitar and mandolin work is absolutely beautiful. Credit where credit is due, my silent partner/favorite caller-on-sabbatical also loves this song but was unable to attend the session. Jimmy and I sent him an almost finished track and Vic suggested that we take the catgut melodies/fills and add a harmony line to them (a very latin style of playing). Listen to the beautiful melody lines on figures 2 and 4 and try to imagine the track without that harmony. One of the many reasons I don’t really let my silent partner be silent.

As for the finished music, two insiders (nameless people who got an early preview) both independently stated that this may be one of the best cuts yet from Chic Recordings. I hope that’s true because starting our eighth year and still improving is music to my ears!

CHIC 1081 in the male vocal range features the vocal by Jack Pladdys, courtesy of Royal Records.

CHIC 2081 in the female vocal range features Staff Caller, Deborah Carroll-Jones.

To purchase, just head on over to the Chic Boutique for fast and easy mp3 downloads.

Click on the youtube links (to the left) for previews!