King of Hearts (King Ernest Baker album)

King of Hearts was the first CD album for blues, soul singer King Ernest. He had been away from the music scene for some time and the album marked his return to music. It was also a blues award nominee.

King of Hearts
Studio album by
King Ernest Baker
Released1997
StudioDoug Messengers Studio
North Hollywood, CA
GenreBlues and soul
LabelEvidence 26084
ProducerRandy Chortkoff
Executive producer: Jerry Gordon
King Ernest Baker chronology
King of Hearts
(1997)		 Blues Got Soul
(2000)

Background

After retiring at 55, he recorded the album which was released on Evidence 26084 in 1997.[1][2] The album includes covers of "Black Bag Blues" which is a Lester Butler song and "Better Days" which was written by Mick Jagger and Jimmy Rip, which is an Otis Redding styled ballad. Charlie Musselwhite's "Long As I Have You" and Hound Dog Taylor's "Sadie" are also covered.[3] Other compositions are by Ernest Baker, Andy Kaulkin and Randy Chortkoff.[4] Lester Butler,[5] Jimmy Rip,[6] and East Hampton guitarist, Zach Zunis are among the musicians that played on the album.[7]

In a review of the album, Nicky Baxter of Metroactive noted the ease that King Ernest had in going from blues to soul and back again. The only low point was some obtrusive piano pounding.[8]

It was nominated in for a W. C. Handy Award in 1998.[9] There were two categories. One was in Soul/Blues Album of the Year category and the other was in the Comeback Blues Album of the Year category.[10][11]

Bakers follow-up album was in 2000 with Blues Got Soul.[12]

Album details

References
  1. Orlando Sentinel, September 8, 2000 - A Royal Marriage Of Blues, Soul From 'Gutsy 'King' Ernest Baker by Parry Gettleman, Sentinel Popular Music Critic
  2. Billboard March 29, 1997 - Page 17
  3. Jazz Times, 05/01/1997 - King Ernest Baker: King of Hearts By Bill Milkowski
  4. AllMusic - King Ernest, King of Hearts
  5. No Fightin - King Ernest / Lester Butler: “Black Bag Blues”
  6. Blues Access, No 30 - King Ernest, King of Hearts
  7. The East Hampton Star, February 9, 2017 - A Grammy Proves Elusive for an East Hampton Guitarist By Christopher Walsh
  8. metroactive - A Royal Return By Nicky Baxter
  9. Past Blues - Tuesday, January 21, 1997 - January 21, 1997 -- Evidence released King
  10. Louisville Music News - 19th Annual W. C. Handy Nominations Announced
  11. Memphis Flyer - Music, Local Boys Done Good by Mark Jordan
  12. Blues Bytes, November 2000 - WHAT'S NEW --- Steve Hinrichsen
  13. Discogs - King Ernest – King Of Hearts
  14. musicmp3spb.org - King Ernest, обложки King Of Hearts (1997)
  15. AllMusic - King Ernest, King of Hearts, Credits
  16. musicmp3spb.org - King Ernest, обложки King Of Hearts (1997)
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