In The County Of Kings
Encyclopedia
In The County Of Kings is the fifth album (fourth full-length album) from the Eric Stuart Band
, in which Eric Stuart
is the songwriter and lead singer. Stuart is also highly acclaimed as a voice actor and voice director (see article on Eric Stuart
). This album was released in 2007 under Stuart's own independent label, Widow's Peak Records. The title of the album comes from Kings County, Brooklyn, where Stuart was born and raised. In addition, the front cover art depicts the Brooklyn Bridge
and New York City
in juxtaposition with the Great Pyramid
, the Sphinx of Giza, and the Valley of the Kings
, which are in Egypt. The musical style of In The County Of Kings is more country-sounding than any previous Eric Stuart Band album, and is described by Eric Stuart as "Concrete Country." With regard to this, Stuart writes,
In The County Of Kings includes a re-release of Stuart's songs "The Bottom Line" (1996, from the album Picture Perfect World
), and "Paint the Town Tonight" (2000, from the album BombShellShocked
). The album also incorporates the talents of more guest musicians than in previous ESB albums. It is noteworthy that Stuart sings with his sister Barbara Brousal
(an accomplished singer-songwriter in her own right) in "The Land Of What Might Have Been." Not all the songs call in numerous accompaniments however; in "This Love," Stuart is only accompanied by band members Jenna Malizia (background vocals) and Questar Welsh (background vocals and keyboards).
Eric Stuart
Eric Stuart is a voice actor, voice director, singer, songwriter, and guitarist. As the lead singer of his own band, the Eric Stuart Band , he is an award-winning independent artist with a growing US and international fan base.Stuart gained acclaim as a voice actor not only because of his...
, in which Eric Stuart
Eric Stuart
Eric Stuart is a voice actor, voice director, singer, songwriter, and guitarist. As the lead singer of his own band, the Eric Stuart Band , he is an award-winning independent artist with a growing US and international fan base.Stuart gained acclaim as a voice actor not only because of his...
is the songwriter and lead singer. Stuart is also highly acclaimed as a voice actor and voice director (see article on Eric Stuart
Eric Stuart
Eric Stuart is a voice actor, voice director, singer, songwriter, and guitarist. As the lead singer of his own band, the Eric Stuart Band , he is an award-winning independent artist with a growing US and international fan base.Stuart gained acclaim as a voice actor not only because of his...
). This album was released in 2007 under Stuart's own independent label, Widow's Peak Records. The title of the album comes from Kings County, Brooklyn, where Stuart was born and raised. In addition, the front cover art depicts the Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States. Completed in 1883, it connects the New York City boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn by spanning the East River...
and New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in juxtaposition with the Great Pyramid
Great Pyramid of Giza
The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza Necropolis bordering what is now El Giza, Egypt. It is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only one to remain largely intact...
, the Sphinx of Giza, and the Valley of the Kings
Valley of the Kings
The Valley of the Kings , less often called the Valley of the Gates of the Kings , is a valley in Egypt where, for a period of nearly 500 years from the 16th to 11th century BC, tombs were constructed for the Pharaohs and powerful nobles of the New Kingdom .The valley stands on the west bank of...
, which are in Egypt. The musical style of In The County Of Kings is more country-sounding than any previous Eric Stuart Band album, and is described by Eric Stuart as "Concrete Country." With regard to this, Stuart writes,
I was trying to come up with a way to explain the type of music I play. Americana was too rootsy, Folk-Rock only touched on a part of my sound and County/Rock made it sound like I wore a cowboy hat. I am born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, but I play music with a strong lyrical, melodic, story based approach. There are many country elements as well. I thought the combination of "Concrete" to connect with the sidewalks and buildings I grew up around as well as the rock connotations that word brings plus the "Country" would show I was touching on string songwriting and storytelling that went with country music.
In The County Of Kings includes a re-release of Stuart's songs "The Bottom Line" (1996, from the album Picture Perfect World
Picture Perfect World
Picture Perfect World is a six-song EP by the Eric Stuart Band , in which Eric Stuart is the songwriter and lead singer. Stuart is also highly acclaimed as a voice actor and voice director . This album was released in 1997 under Stuart’s own independent label, Widow's Peak Records. It is currently...
), and "Paint the Town Tonight" (2000, from the album BombShellShocked
BombShellShocked
BombShellShocked is the fourth album from the Eric Stuart Band in which Eric Stuart is the songwriter and lead singer. Stuart is also highly acclaimed as a voice actor and voice director...
). The album also incorporates the talents of more guest musicians than in previous ESB albums. It is noteworthy that Stuart sings with his sister Barbara Brousal
Barbara Brousal
Barbara Brousal is a Boston, Massachusetts based singer-songwriter. She sings, plays guitar and mandolin and composed songs on four children's albums with Dan Zanes and Friends including the Grammy winner Catch That Train. Additionally, she toured with Dan Zanes and Friends from 2000 to the fall...
(an accomplished singer-songwriter in her own right) in "The Land Of What Might Have Been." Not all the songs call in numerous accompaniments however; in "This Love," Stuart is only accompanied by band members Jenna Malizia (background vocals) and Questar Welsh (background vocals and keyboards).
Reviews
Track list
- "The Bottom Line" (re-release) (4:27) (©1996)
- "Blind Man" (3:39) (©2004)
- "Paint The Town Tonight" (re-release) (3:06) (©2000)
- "I'd Be A Millionaire" (3:44) (©2001)
- "Is It True?" (2:34) (©2001)
- "The Last Word" (3:21) (©1998)
- "State Of Mind" (5:10) (©1996)
- "Shut You Up" (2:21) (©2001)
- "Hand-Me Down Love" (2:56) (©2000)
- "Land Of What Might Have Been" (3:50) (©2001)
- "Blind Trust" (3:29) (©2000)
- "Jack And Jill" (4:20) (©1997)
- "Bad Luck" (3:21) (©1997)
- "Too Late Tonight To Be Alone" (3:55) (©2000)
- "This Love" (4:02) (©2005)
Album personnel
- Eric StuartEric StuartEric Stuart is a voice actor, voice director, singer, songwriter, and guitarist. As the lead singer of his own band, the Eric Stuart Band , he is an award-winning independent artist with a growing US and international fan base.Stuart gained acclaim as a voice actor not only because of his...
- lead vocals, acoustic guitar, rhythm guitar, hand claps - Phil Nix - lead guitar, rhythm guitar, baritone guitar, vocals, slide guitar, electric 12 string guitar, hand claps
- Questar Welsh - vocals, electric 12 string guitar, additional keyboards, acoustic 12 string guitar
- Kevin Merritt - accordion, vocals, horn arrangements
- Jenna Malizia - vocals
- Mason Swearingen - bass, vocals
- Jagoda - drums, percussion, vocals
- Benny Landa - lead guitar, rhythm guitar
- Barbara BrousalBarbara BrousalBarbara Brousal is a Boston, Massachusetts based singer-songwriter. She sings, plays guitar and mandolin and composed songs on four children's albums with Dan Zanes and Friends including the Grammy winner Catch That Train. Additionally, she toured with Dan Zanes and Friends from 2000 to the fall...
- vocals - Irwin Fisch - piano/organ
- Maria Conti - violin (also knocks on violin in "The Bottom Line")
- John Siegler - bass
- Frank Vilardi - drums, tambourine, shaker
- Elizabeth Dotson-Westphalen - trombone
- Dan Schlessinger - tenor saxophone
- David Smith - trumpet
- Julie Reyburn - vocals
- Darren Dunstan - vocals
- Louis Cortelezzi - tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone
- Jim Malone - harmonica
- Larry Campbell - pedal steel
- Rachel Handman - fiddle
- All songs written by Eric StuartEric StuartEric Stuart is a voice actor, voice director, singer, songwriter, and guitarist. As the lead singer of his own band, the Eric Stuart Band , he is an award-winning independent artist with a growing US and international fan base.Stuart gained acclaim as a voice actor not only because of his...
©2007 Little Black Book (BMI) - Produced by Eric StuartEric StuartEric Stuart is a voice actor, voice director, singer, songwriter, and guitarist. As the lead singer of his own band, the Eric Stuart Band , he is an award-winning independent artist with a growing US and international fan base.Stuart gained acclaim as a voice actor not only because of his...
and Questar Welsh - Engineered by Questar Welsh