[Release date 27.05.16]
The PR blurb accompanying this eponymous solo release would lead you to believe that the Hull-born singer songwriter has arrived at this point through gigging and experience in Nashville.
But there’s a little more depth to the story. From a young age King was set on being a country singer and in 2006 while studying at the British Institute of Modern Music (BIMM) in Brighton formed Emma King And The Heartsets. With an independently released album under their belt, they signed with an American label a new version of their debut, with re-recorded vocals, heralding their move across the pond in 2009.
There’s little evidence on the web of how that adventure went apart from several singles and plenty of gigging, but 2015 finds King back on home soil with this independently produced solo release. So it’s probably safe to assume that despite a lot of legwork, the venture just didn’t work out.
A bubbly blonde, King certainly has the requisite character and vocal ability and one can only assume she perhaps just wasn’t in the right place at the right time. And in contrast to her country cravings, her solo debut has a strong pop element to it.
The opener ‘Devil City’ is Sheryl Crow territory complete with horns, doo-wop backing vocals and bluesy guitar lines. What’s not to like? ‘All The Fools’ and ‘Now We Get Away’ are ’60s soul crooners, there’s a Chic funk element to ‘Lost In Time’, and ‘You Lie Awake’ has a Tom Petty construction.
It’s perfect for Radio 2 playlisting, but whether it’s strong enough to stand out from the rest of the retro crowd, only time will tell. ***1/2
Review by Pete Whalley
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Next session: Sunday 1 December
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024
ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)
Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
