BEC Recordings

Release Date: January 17th 2025

Reviewed by: Jonathan Andre

Cory Asbury– Cover To Cover (Amazon mp3/iTunes)

Track Listing:

1. I Hope You Dance
2. Round Here
3. You’re Still The One
4. You Are My Sunshine
5. Iris
6. Have You Ever Seen The Rain
7. Don’t Stop Believin’
8. Chasing Cars
9. In Your Eyes
10. Landslide (Acoustic)

Cory Asbury is a name that has divided many in as many households in relation to his chart-topping song ‘Reckless Love’. No need to delve into the reasons why- this is where ‘google’ is your friend- you can google the song, the album, listen to the album, even read my review of the album that I wrote last year. Cory Asbury is as much as a celebrated artist as any other; but is also an artist that turns people off CCM altogether. Nevertheless, as polarising as an artist as he is, Cory’s been making music that impacts for a while now- inclusive of ‘Reckless Love’ and a lot of his other songs in his catalogue- songs like ‘Endless Alleluia’, ‘Water and Dust’ and ‘Only Takes a Moment’, to name a few. In July 2020, around 2 and a half years after his label debut album Reckless Love released, Cory gave to us all, an album titled To Love a Fool– quite possibly the most anticipated album from any CCM artist, to have ever been released in 2020. With songs like ‘Sparrows’, ‘Dear God’, ‘The Father’s House’ and ‘Unravelling’, to name a few; I was captivating by such a powerful album, and though Cory has a lot of critics, To Love a Fool is a reminder of the unending love of Christ for people, even if they themselves have strayed for even their whole lives. A reminder that each one of us is never too far gone, To Love a Fool quickly became one of my favourite albums of 2020.

As Jon has mentioned in his previous review of Cory’s live album To Love a Fool [A Rooftop Experience]; Cory Asbury is a name that divides many people. We blogged about Cory as well (so you can read that at your own pace); but since that time linked to Bethel Music, Cory has since left that label and has tried his hand at country music (or is it americana or blues?). Pioneer dropped in 2023, and though we haven’t voiced our thoughts on the 21-track album (which we will very soon!); Cory has now signed to BEC Recordings, and has released his new album Cover To Cover… which is in fact an album entirely of covers.

Cover albums are nothing new. Probably the most recognisable ‘covers’ series is the Disneymania series (9 albums in full!), while Lucy Thomas’ entire discography is littered with covers. Scarlett Johansson released a covers album back in the day, and the A*Teens started off as an ABBA tribute band. Revamp and Restoration (Elton John), Tapestry (Marcia Hines), Best Of My Love (Samantha Jade), virtually all of Human Nature’s discography, Standards (SEAL) and Freaked (dc Talk) (to name a few!) are also tribute albums that remind us of the power of a cover recording. And let’s not forget Kevin Max’s cover album as well! And so… how does Cory Asbury measure up to these aforementioned artists and projects?

Well… it depends if you like acoustic albums, lullaby albums, or both. There’s nothing wrong with these songs per se. “I Hope You Dance” (Lee Ann Womack), “Round Here” (Counting Crows), “You’re Still The One” (Shania Twain), “You Are My Sunshine” (), “Iris” (Goo Goo Dolls), “Have You Ever Seen The Rain” (Creedance Clearwater Revival), “Don’t Stop Believin’” (Journey), “Chasing Cars” (Snow Patrol), “In Your Eyes” (Peter Gabriel) and “Landslide (Acoustic)” (Fleetwood Mac) are all present, and each are eclectic and vibrant and inspiring in their own right. But when you just have these renditions as acoustic renditions of Cory and his guitar; well then you get solid songs, but songs that are nonetheless soft and soothing musically. It depends if you’re in the mood for a different rendition or not. Objectively, this is a good album, as Cory has stretched the boundaries of what a cover album should sound like. However personally, this isn’t for me- not to say that Cory isn’t a good artist, but these renditions didn’t resonate. They may for you though, and that’s the beauty of musical preferences- you could love what I dislike and vice versa.

Cory Asbury is an artist that still divides. His foray into country, blues and americana may confuse and perplex some. However his heart is still for Jesus and God’s mission for him is still in the realms of music. It may not be worship music- but Cory is still spreading God’s love and the gospel- and that’s all that matters. Though I may have wanted a few more upbeat songs on this collection of covers, what I did receive are 10 songs full life and vitality. Yes, it’s something different. Yes I didn’t fully connect with it. But yes, you should dive in and listen to these renditions- you may find something that connects, and hence your new favourite artist (Cory or one of the artists he has covered)! Maybe a Christmas album in the future? Looking forward to see how the Lord works in the lives of people in the upcoming months ahead!

3 songs to listen to: Iris, Don’t Stop Believin’, In Your Eyes

Score: 3.5/5

RIYL: Pat Barrett, Chris Tomlin, Chris Quilala, Kim Walker-Smith, Cody Carnes