Hat Full of Stars

Hat Full of Stars was the fourth full-length solo album released by singer and actress Cyndi Lauper. Issued in 1993 it deviated from her pop-rock sound of previous projects and delved heavily into R&B. It also furthered Lauper's growing penchant for writing topical songs about social issues; thematically it was inspired by her childhood in the 1950s in Brooklyn.

The album was co-produced by dance-music artist Junior Vasquez and is heavily remniscent of his work of the time. As such many of the songs are held together by sythetic loops and percussion. Lyrics address issues like abortion ("Sally's Pigeons"), racism ("A Part Hate") and spousal abuse ("Product of Misery").

The album was successful internationally, achieving Gold sales in France and platinum sales in Japan (where her albums routinely sell extremely well.) However it was considered a commercial failure in America despite positive critical review, and it stalled at 112 on the Billboard charts. The singles "That's What I Think," "Sally's Pigeons," "Hat Full of Stars" and "Who Let in the Rain" were released; the latter was re-recorded in 2001 for a new project.

Lauper has commented that she wishes that her vocals on the project had been sharper, and feels that Vasquez' production did not emphasize proper vocal control. She worked with a vocal coach to sharpen her vocals for her follows up project "Sisters of Avalon", and mentions this in the liner notes.

Track listing

1. "That's What I Think"
2. "Product of Misery"
3. "Who Let in the Rain"
4. "Lies"
5. "Broken Glass"
6. "Sally's Pigeons"
7. "Feels Like Christmas"
8. "Dear John"
9. "Like I Used To"
10. "Someone Like Me"
11. "A Part Hate"
12. "Hat Full of Stars"

Personnel

• Cyndi Lauper--Lead Vocals
• Cyndi Lauper and Junior Vasquz--Production
• William Wittman--Additional Production
• Gary Tole, Carl Glanville, Ted Truwhella, Brian Wittmer, Jennifer Monnar--Assistant Engineering
• Rob Hyman--Accordions
• Peter Wood--Additional Arrangements
• Christopher Garcia, Allee Willis--Additional Programming
• Eric Bazilian, Deborah Fraser, Nicky Holland, Rob Hyman, Georgia Jones, Faith Kekana, Cyndi Lauper, Hugh Masekela, Lawrence Matshiza, Junior Vasquez, Allee Willis, William Wittman, Stella Zulu--Background Vocals
• Eric Bazilian, Kevin Jenkins, Bakithi Kumalo, Joey Moskowitz, Danny Sembello, Allee Willis, Peter Wood--Bass
• Rob Hyman, Allee Willis--Casio
• Bashiri Johnson--Congas
• Eric Bazilian, Jimmy Bralower, Joey Moskowitz, Peter Wood--Drum Programming
• Eric Bazilian--Dulicmer
• Hugh Masekela--Flugelhorn
• Carlos Alomar, Eric Bazilian, Nile Rogers, Larry Treadwell, Peter Wood--Guitar
• Rob Paparozzi--Harmonica
• Jeff Boya, Nicky Holland, Rob Hyman, Fred McFarlane, Joey Moskowitz, Allee Willis, Peter Wood--Keyboards
• Anton Fig, David Uosikkinen--Live Drums
• Eric Bazilian--Mandolin
• Rob Hyman--Melodica, Organs
• Eric Bazilian, Nicky Holland--Piano
• Cyndi Lauper--Recorder
• Eric Bazilian--Saxophone
• Hugh Masekela--Vocal Chant
• Stacy Drummond--Art Direction, Design
• Dana Shimizu--Design Assistant
• Robert Lewis--Photograph
• David Thornton-Drawings
• Laura Wills--Styling
• Jody Morlock--Makeup
• Danilo For Pierre Michel, NYC--Hair

Recorded at the Hit Factory, Sigma Sound, Messina Sound, Right Track, The Enchanted Cottage, The Ranch, World Famous Orbit Sound

Links

• [Listing at Official Cyndi Lauper website]

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