Cover to Cover: A Musical Autobiography

A large portion of the album is dedicated to taking songs from his 80s albums yNo Winnersy, and ySound Syndicatedy, both of which have been out of print for many years and have little chance of re-issue as of current. While some of the songs might be considered yfillery, that does not mean they donyt belong on here. Quite the opposite, it was a very smart decision to give some of Hardcastleys long lost works a new lease on life, particularly yKing Tuty and yIt Seems To Hang Ony. The latter song I mentioned is a truly mesmerizing cover of the Ashford and Simpson classic and itys a stunning danceable mix of dance and smooth jazz. I must say that few, if any, mixed these two styles of music the way Hardcastle did with this song. Itys truly an honor to bring this song back to life on this collection. The cover version of yGreen Onionsy is amazing too, being a danceable song. There are more either previously unreleased or long out of print songs on this collection. yKing Tuty especially comes to mind as itys probably the oldest song that Hardcastle has ever recorded and it never made it onto CD, domestically and as an import, until this 2 CD set was released.

This collection also brings some of Paulys most popular songs onto here. yRainforesty is a song that is well-known by both the older fan base, those who remember him for the innovative use of electronic recording and sampling equipment, and the younger or newbie fan base that knows his more smooth jazz-oriented music he has done both solo and with his band The Jazzmasters during the 1990s. yRainforesty is a totally unforgettable classic that blends dance and smooth jazz in a way that makes it so engaging and fresh even with 18 years removed from itys release. It still hear this song quite often on the radio and itys considered one of the most popular jazz songs of modern times and it deserves the attention it gets. The other song that heys known for is the disturbing and chilling dance number y19y. This song isnyt one just to enjoy, it also tells the shocking story of the average age of the Vietnam soldier being only 19 years old! This song is one that will change your life forever! It was also one of the earliest songs to use samples from a voice recording.

This album doesnyt exactly yank any songs off his 90s albums in their original form but instead takes the songs from those albums and remixes them in a way that they have a totally different vibe from their parent album version available on the Hardcastles I, II, and III albums so they are all must-haves even if you purchase this collection. yJokerys Wildy from the yHardcastle IIy album is an awesome, danceable and funky number with a chaotic atmosphere that somewhat harkens back to Hardcastleys dance music days during the 1980s. The remix of the song on this collection is a mellower and more subdued smooth jazz sound but is in fact better than the original with itys better flow of rhythm. The same holds true with his cover of Steely Danys yDo It Againy. The version on Hardcastle I is funky and upbeat. The version on yCover To Covery is much mellower and sensual and I must say this is the better version with itys more soulful feel in my opinion.

yAre You Readyy may be the song thatyll throw off the ysmooth jazzy Hardcastle fan base audience as this song is a fast paced upbeat dance song that he recorded in the late 80s or early 90s and features a female vocal with incredible dymatics. Those who like the New Jack Swing or early 90s techno sound will likely enjoy this song a lot. I think that itys one of the highlights of this album.

The newly recorded songs (as of 1997) are geared towards his smooth jazz audience. ySoul Swingy is the most unique of the songs. It starts off being a typical jazzy Hardcastle number but around the middle of the song, it takes a totally different turn and becomes a more yhipy number so ySoul Swingy is more like two songs in one. Hardcastle said that he was bored during the recording of this song and decided to take a totally different turn and the result was a brilliant song. Well done Paul! The last song that I want to point out is the final track yHave Yourself A Merry Little Christmasy. Donyt be turned off by the name of the song. While itys basically a song that was meant for the holidays, I think that itys a wonderful song that I can listen to all year long.

There are more songs that I want to point out but thereys just not enough room to do so. This collection as a whole shows the many faces of the arc of music that Paul has composed over the past 20 years. This collection isnyt perfect but for what it was, this is one of the smartest collections ever put together. yCover To Covery is an essential purchase for both the old school and smooth jazz fan base.


Comprehensive, but frighteningly so   May 21, 2002
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Paul Hardcastle has had a fascinating career, even if you don't like the music. In the 80s, he was selling record after record of heavy message-oriented dance tunes ranging on topics from the Vietnam War to ancient Egypt. After his work cooled on audiences, he switched gears and began doing what he was capable of doing: smooth jazz. The tinny-sounding drums and pop music stutter beats are still present, but he'd gone all soft and corny.

That said, this particular record shows you both sides of hardcastle, and it's pretty fascinating to watch the transition. Most people who are into Hardcastle are into him for his current smooth jazz direction, and will find the first disc refreshing in a "I didn't know he wrote that!" kind of way. However, people who enjoyed his earlier work and have heard better smooth jazz than he produces in TV commercials will likely find themselves with only half a disc to listen to.

A solid buy for fans of Hardcastle's "Jazzmasters" albums, but a loss for old school fans.


Hardcastle Well-Covered   October 12, 2000
 12 out of 12 found this review helpful

This is it ! This is the Hardcastle collection to obtain.There is no filler, no garbage. One small gripe is the toned down-bass version of 19. Maybe Hardcastle wanted to blend this in well for his more mature contemporary pop-jazz listeners. Afterall, 19 was a dance-club hit back in 1985 (more samples than substance)for the time than it was a contemporary jazz tune.

All the pop classic originals are here, Rain Forest, King Tut (my favorite original album version;the original vinyl recording containing these two tracks has never been released on c.d format or as an import),and the Syndicate Theme. Hardcastle is also an amazing artist at taking classic pop and R&B tunes and adding his own interpretation or touch to them (It Seems to Hang On by Ashford and Simpson, Wishing on a Star by Rose Royce, and the classic Stevie Wonder tune Superstitiion).He pays great homage to these artists.His much later material is more contemporary jazz than Top 40 or club oriented.A few of the jazz tracks may make some feel a nod creeping up;Yet, the other tracks more than make-up for the semi-sleepers...In addition this release is more Hardcastles' personal and introspective choices than the marketing or record industry telling him what he can and can't release. Read the notes in the booklet contained with this package and you will be given personal insight from Mr. Hardcastle about the inspiration for many of the songs.


How I view Paul Hardcastle's "Cover to Cover" CD   June 15, 2000
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Mr. Hardcastle's "Cover to Cover" CD is one of the best CDs that I have listened to in quite a long time. At the rate he is going, he will truly be the best smooth Jazz artist in no time flat! I have now in my collection all of his recordings and will continue to buy every one that he makes in the years to come. I am a fan for life. My favorite is "Rain Forest", but they are all "supurb". Keep 'em coming Paul.

Your No. 1 Fan, Gwendolyn