Paul Hardcastle
19

THE REVIEW

Single taken from Paul Hardcastle's first self-titled album, released in 1985.

The track in question "19" was a vaguely synthpop-flavored piece, very danceable yet at the same time sophisticated and elegant (almost cerebral despite its anti-war message), containing sung parts interspersed with speech samples taken from a television documentary hosted by Peter Thomas ("Vietnam Requiem", 1984) which discussed Vietnam veterans and their post-traumatic stress disorders suffered, indeed, upon their return home.

Thomas initially wasn't too fond of the idea that his voice was used within this single and less so with those methods that somehow were inspired, it must be said, in part by the "cut-up" technique.

However, at a later stage, Thomas (not without the involvement of lawyers from both sides and the payment of related royalties) ultimately gave his consent for the single to be released with his vocal parts included.

Speaking of the song (if it can be defined as such...) in more colloquial and less technical tones, I admit – perhaps a bit simplistically – to being quite attached to this track, mainly because it ended up being a conduit for me to further delve into the work of this excellent and highly refined composer (I also recommend listening to a track like "Lost Summer" to get further insight).

It probably didn't fundamentally alter the face of certain contemporary chamber music, but in its poetics and aesthetics, it undeniably showcases, as already mentioned, an exquisite and subtle style at the same time, giving his production a distinctly personal touch that is not easily categorized within the smooth-jazz landscape, which in not a few tracks bestows a certain elegiac and almost twilight quality.