Adult Contemporary Music in Japan

A.O.R (Adult Oriented Rock) / Fusion Music PAGE

King of Hearts

"King of Hearts" is a duo comprising Tommy Funderburk, well-known and talented vocalist and Bruce R Gaitsch, guitarist/great songwriter known for his smash hits "La Isla Bonita" of Madonna or "Don't Mean Nothing" of Richard Marx. However, otiginal King Of Hearts is the band of Bruce, Tommy plus George Hawkins Jr. and Kelly Keagy and their 1st album "1989" has been unreleased till today.

Here is Bruce's comment about the original KING OF HEARTS 1989 recordings:

" This is record was recorded in 1989/90 by David Cole and myself. It was so much fun to do and the comraderie of the band was incredible. Some of my fondest memories of making music stem from this time. Tommy, Kelly and George's vocal blend is still one of the most powerful I've ever heard. Tracking in the famous Capital studio B was awesome. We had way to much fun and I think we captured a great moment in our lives with this record. A transition period..a spurt of growth captured on tape. It never came out due to politics, now thanks to Toshi we all have the chance to hear it in it's original state...very powerful. Enjoy.."

They describe their music as "American music....simple songs which people can sing and play the guitar to." "King Of Hearts" must be one of the best unit in 90's AOR/Westcoast Pop scene!

King Of Hearts 1st (1994)

KING OF HEARTS
- Label : Pioneer (PICP-1032)
- Release Date: September 22, 1994
- Producers: David Cole and Bruce R Gaitsch
- Musicians:
  - Drums: Kelly Keagy
  - Keyboards: CJ Vanston
  - Bass: George Hawkins
  - Background Vocals: Timothy B Schmit, Randy Meisner
  - Hammond: Bill Champlin
- Tracks:
  1. Land of Dreams
  2. Lovin' Arms
  3. Working Man
  4. Don't Call My Name
  5. I Want You
  6. The Night The Angels Cried
  7. My Desire
  8. Love Will Return
  9. Close My Eyes
  10. King Of Hearts
  11. Forever
- Remarks: This album is also released by BEVERLY RECORDS in Germany.

Joy Will Come

JOY WILL COME
- Label : Pioneer LDC (PICP-1122)(Japan), Border Music (Sweden)
- Release Date: Sep. 25, 1996 (Japan)
- Producers: Tommy Funderburk, Bruce R. Gaitsch and David Cole
- Musicians:
  - Drums: Billy Ward, Kelly Keagy
  - Percussion: Alex Acuna, Victor Masondo
  - Guitars: Jay Graydon
  - Bass: George Hawkins, John Patitucci
  - Keyboards: Greg Phillinganes, CJ Vanston
  - Cello: Sachi Patitucci
  - Organ and Background Vocals: Bill Champlin
  - Background Vocals: Tamara Champlin, Janey Clewer, Beth Anderson, Maxi Anderson, Alfie Silas, Orren Waters, Ricky Nelson
- Tracks:
  1. No Matter What
  2. Closer To The Edge
  3. I Still Believe
  4. I Heard Heaven Is A Better Place
  5. Joy Will Come
  6. I Surrender All
  7. Dancing With The Light
  8. Only You
  9. Remember When
  10. Stranger In A Strangers Town
  11. Midnight Crossing

Midnight Crossing

MIDNIGHT CROSSING
- Label : Intercord Record Service (IRS 993.167)
- Release Date: October, 1996
- Tracks:
  1. In So Many Words
  2. Closer To The Edge
  3. Hold On To Love
  4. I Heard Heaven Is A Better Place
  5. Joy Will Come
  6. I Surrender All
  7. Dancing With The Light
  8. Only You
  9. Remember When (Different Mix)
  10. Stranger In A Strangers Town
  11. Midnight Crossing
  12. Was It Good For You
- Remarks: This title is alternative version of their second album released in Germany.

NO MATTER WHAT
- Label : Thoughtscape Sounds (TSS-0012)
- Release Date: December 16, 1997
- Producers: Tommy Funderburk, Bruce R. Gaitsch and David Cole
- Musicians:
  - Drums: Kelly Keagy, Billy Ward
  - Percussion: Alex Acuna, Victor Masondo
  - Guitars: Jay Graydon
  - Bass: George Hawkins, John Patitucci
  - Keyboards: Greg Phillinganes, CJ Vanston, Bill Champlin
  - Cello: Sachi Patitucci
  - Organ and Background Vocals: Bill Champlin
  - Background Vocals: Tamara Champlin, Janey Clewer, Beth Anderson, Maxi Anderson, Alfie Silas, Orren Waters, Ricky Nelson, Timothy B Schmidt, Randy Meisner
- Tracks:
  1. In So Many Words
  2. Land of Dreams
  3. The Night The Angels Cried
  4. Lovin' Arms
  5. Working Man
  6. My Desire
  7. Don't Call My Name
  8. No Matter What
  9. Closer To The Edge (Remix)
  10. Stranger In A Strangers Town
  11. I Surrender All
  12. Midnight Crossing
  13. After The Love Is Gone (Acoustic Version)
  14. Lovin' Arms (Live In Tokyo)
  15. Broken World (Previously Unreleased)

King Of Hearts / 1989 King Of Hearts / 1989 Euro version

1989
- Label: COOL SOUND, Japan (COOL-029) (European reissue: Avenue Of Allies, Geramany <11 09 0029>)
- Release Date: May 25, 1999 (European reissue: April 29, 2011)
- Producer: David Cole
- Co-producer: Bruce Gaitsch
- King Of Hearts:
  - Tommy Funderburk: Vocals
  - Kelly Keagy: Vocals and Drums
  - George Hawkins: Vocals and Bass
  - Brue Gaitsch: Guitars
- Additional Musicians:
  - CJ Vanston: Keys
  - Bill Champlin: B3
  - Timothy Schmit and Rand Meisner: Backing Vocals
- Tracklisting
  1. Working Man
  2. In So Many Words
  3. Don't Call My Name
  4. Smack Dab
  5. Remember When
  6. Hold On To Love
  7. Under The Gun
  8. Lovin' Arms
  9. Was It Good 4 U
  10. Everyday
  11. King Of Hearts

MY DESIRE c/w AFTER THE LOVE IS GONE (acoustic version) and DON'T CALL MY NAME (guitar oriented version)
- CD Single: Pioneer PICP-0008
- Release Date: May 24, 1995
- Remarks : This 5 inch CD Single includes guitar oriented version of "Don't Call My Name" and acoustic version of "After The Love Is Gone" which is well-known as Earth, Wind And Fire's hit song.

STRANGER IN A STRANGERS TOWN c/w NO MATTER WHAT
- CD Single: Pioneer PIDP-1016
- Release Date: September 4, 1996
- Remarks : "Stranger In A Strangers Town" runs on Japanese TV with the commercial film of Nissan 180SX.

DON'T CALL MY NAME -single version-
- From the album: "Westcoast Radio Hits- Love" (Westcoast Records WESTCD 12)
- Release Date: March, 1997
- Remarks : This song original version is apeeared on their 1st album "King Of Hearts".

WORKING MAN -single version-
- From the album: "Westcoast Radio Hits- ROCK" (Westcoast Records WESTCD 13)
- Release Date: March, 1997
- Remarks : This song original version is apeeared on their 1st album "King Of Hearts".

WE DON'T TALK ANYMORE
- From the album: "Thoughtscape Sounds '97 Sam pler 2" Thoughtscape Sounds (TSS-0013)
- Release Date: December 15, 1997
- Remarks : This song is apeeared omly on this album.

More Information:
You can get more information such as sound files and at Angelynn Music website.

Waiting for your Email to: takeito@cap.bekkoame.ne.jp