Critic's Review
Shawn M. Haney, All Music Guide
Hagood Hardy brings together a variety of jazz and mellow rock influences here in Homecoming, accompanied by a superb group of musicians from many backgrounds. Charming and reflective, the music, mostly composed and arranged by Hardy, paints a picture of dreams, romance, adventure, and the core of the human spirit. Transcending the time period of the '70s, Hardy finds success creating music that conveys powers that are soothing, as well as sassy, not to mention sexy at times. Engaging the listener winding down after a busy work day is a feat accomplished, through tunes that are dreamy and ethereal, and compositions enriching, yet subtle and simple. "Jennifer's Song" plays the winner of the record's romance ballad. "Balloons" helps one in their desire to reach and float high into the sky. "Clouds" combines textures and soundscapes eclectic enough to push the audience to dreams come true. Hardy's original, "Wintertime," takes sole place as a song featuring delightful vocal harmonies. With the touch of Hardy's style, Gordon Lightfoot's tune, "Cold on the Shoulder," brings much needed mystery and haunting jazz flavor to the record's personality. A lushly polished recording for Capitol records, engineered by David Greene and self-produced by Hagood Hardy with the assistance of Don Thompson, Homecoming finds its true value as a sincere way for delivering a seventies flavor with a cool jazz approach.
