KING OF HEARTS – ST [band reissue + bonus tracks] (2022)

KING OF HEARTS was formed by multi-platinum selling guitarist, songwriter, producer and long-time Richard Marx collaborator Bruce Gaitsch back in 1988. Gaitsch had already been writing material with session vocalist extraordinaire Tommy Funderburk (Airplay, Boston, The Front) for a solo album, so he was swiftly recruited.
They recorded some beautiful albums and songs all over the years, and after along hiatus KING OF HEARTS did a comeback, self-titled record a couple years ago. The bans is re-releasing the album “King Of Hearts” by themselves, adding bonus tracks.

Original members vocalist Tommy Funderburk (fellow sleeve note anoraks like me will know he has appeared on many albums down the years including Whitesnake, Yes, Motley Crue) and guitarist Bruce Gaitsch (Chicago, Richard Marx, Madonna) decided to record new music after many requests from fans of the band’s debut album.

Rounding out the line up this time around are bassist John Patitucci (Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock), drummer Keith Carlock (Steely Dan, Toto) and producer, songwriter, arranger and keyboardist, CJ Vanston (Toto) – he was also involved in the original album.
Then we have guest musicians including Timothy B Schmit (Eagles), Peter Cetera (ex-Chicago) and Def Leppard’s Phil Collen.

On ‘California’ you can almost feel the sunshine pouring out of the music, whilst ‘Say It Now’ recalls Toto complete with a snazzy keyboard solo. Tommy Funderburk has lost none of his melodious singing style and it is a real delight to hear him taking the mic spotlight, instead of being in the background.

‘Rose Maria’ could be a Don Henley solo song and on this one they add accordion to give it a country feel. In amongst the silky smooth AOR the big riffing ‘A Simple Song’ adds a bit of hard rock, plus the solo of the album by Bruce Gaitsch. A tale of how rock ‘n’ roll started and one of the album’s highlights.

Not many bands make albums like this anymore, rich in sound and melody – ‘real music’ as the band call it. King Of Hearts, along with Boulevard and Soleil Moon, have produced one of the best AOR albums in recent years.
A MUST

1 – Don’t Wait
2 – California
3 – I Need You
4 – I Don’t Want Your Love
5 – Givin’ Up Easy
6 – Say It Now
7 – Rose Maria
8 – A Simple Song
9 – I Met a Girl
10 – What If They Lied
11 – The Night the Angels Cried (Bonus Track)
12 – After The Love Is Gone (Bonus Track)

Tommy Funderburk – vocals
Bruce Gaitsch – guitars
John Patitucci (Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock) – bass
Keith Carlock (Steely Dan, Toto) – drums
CJ Vanston (Toto, Spinal Tap) – keyboards
guests:
Timothy B Schmit (Eagles)
Peter Cetera (ex-Chicago)
Phil Collen (Def Leppard)
Chris Rodriguez (Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald)
Janey Clewer (Sarah Brightman, George Benson)

BUY
kingofhearts.bandcamp.com/album/king-of-hearts