The Sport of Kings
Encyclopedia
The Sport of Kings is the eighth album by Canadian
hard rock
band Triumph
, released in 1986. It was recorded at the band's home studio of Metalworks Studios
from May to August 1986.
and primary songwriter Rik Emmett
, and it clearly represents the difficulties the band was experiencing at the time. Mike Levine
played no keyboards on the album; three outside keyboardists were hired to create the keyboard sounds of the album. Rik Emmett sings lead vocals on six of the album's ten songs with vocals; four songs were sung by Gil Moore
, and one track was sung as a duet by the two vocalists. The recording of The Sport Of Kings was marred by tension between Triumph and their label MCA
. Perhaps not surprisingly, Emmett has since expressed his dislike for much of the album. Adding to the tension was Emmett's request that the recording be done at Estudio L2K in Majorca. Only three of album's songs has ever been performed live by Triumph, and one track was performed live by Emmett during his first three solo tours.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
band Triumph
Triumph (band)
Triumph is a Canadian hard rock power trio that was popular in the late 1970s through the 1980s. Eight of the band's albums were certified gold or higher, and Triumph was nominated for multiple Juno Awards, including Group of the Year Award in 1979, 1985, 1986 and 1987.Like their fellow Canadians...
, released in 1986. It was recorded at the band's home studio of Metalworks Studios
Metalworks Studios
Metalworks Studios is a music recording studio in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. It was established in 1978 by Gil Moore of the Canadian rock group Triumph.-Music Artists:*Alexisonfire*Adriana Lombardo*Jason Dawson*Kate Voegele*Demi Lovato*Fair to Midland...
from May to August 1986.
History
This is the second-to-last studio album to feature the band's guitaristLead guitar
Lead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
and primary songwriter Rik Emmett
Rik Emmett
Richard Gordon Emmett is a vocalist, guitarist, and founding member of the Canadian rock band Triumph. Emmett left Triumph in 1988 to pursue a solo career. His first solo album, Absolutely, was released in 1990 and became a moderate hit across North America thanks to the hits "When a Heart...
, and it clearly represents the difficulties the band was experiencing at the time. Mike Levine
Mike Levine
Mike Levine is the bassist and keyboardist for the Canadian power trio, Triumph. As he did not sing lead on any of the band's music, he was often perceived as "being in the background." However, he contributed much to the band by his bass and keyboard work, as well as songwriting...
played no keyboards on the album; three outside keyboardists were hired to create the keyboard sounds of the album. Rik Emmett sings lead vocals on six of the album's ten songs with vocals; four songs were sung by Gil Moore
Gil Moore
Gil Moore is most famous for being the drummer and vocalist of the Canadian power trio, Triumph...
, and one track was sung as a duet by the two vocalists. The recording of The Sport Of Kings was marred by tension between Triumph and their label MCA
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
. Perhaps not surprisingly, Emmett has since expressed his dislike for much of the album. Adding to the tension was Emmett's request that the recording be done at Estudio L2K in Majorca. Only three of album's songs has ever been performed live by Triumph, and one track was performed live by Emmett during his first three solo tours.
Side one
- "Tears in the Rain" (EmmettRik EmmettRichard Gordon Emmett is a vocalist, guitarist, and founding member of the Canadian rock band Triumph. Emmett left Triumph in 1988 to pursue a solo career. His first solo album, Absolutely, was released in 1990 and became a moderate hit across North America thanks to the hits "When a Heart...
, Levine, MooreGil MooreGil Moore is most famous for being the drummer and vocalist of the Canadian power trio, Triumph...
) – 3:55- Lead vocals: Gil Moore
- "Somebody's Out There" (Emmett, Levine, Moore) – 4:04
- Lead vocals: Rik Emmett
- "What Rules My Heart" (Emmett, Huff, Levine, Maloney) – 3:52
- Lead vocals: Gil Moore
- "If Only" (Emmett, Levine, Moore) – 4:00
- Lead vocals: Rik Emmett
- "Hooked On You" (Emmett, Levine, Moore) – 3:22
- Lead vocals: Rik Emmett & Gil Moore
Side two
- "Take A Stand" (Emmett, Levine, Moore, Santers) – 4:33
- Lead vocals: Rik Emmett
- "Just One Night" (Fanucchi, Martin, Schon) – 3:40
- Lead vocals: Gil Moore
- "Embrujo" (Emmett, Levine, Moore) – 1:29
- Lead vocals: Instrumental
- "Play with the Fire" (Emmett, Levine, Moore) – 5:18
- Lead vocals: Rik Emmett
- "Don't Love Anybody Else But Me" (Miller, Roynesdal) – 3:55
- Lead vocals: Rik Emmett
- "In the Middle of the Night" (Emmett, Levine, Moore) – 4:34
- Lead vocals: Rik Emmett
Personnel
- Rik EmmettRik EmmettRichard Gordon Emmett is a vocalist, guitarist, and founding member of the Canadian rock band Triumph. Emmett left Triumph in 1988 to pursue a solo career. His first solo album, Absolutely, was released in 1990 and became a moderate hit across North America thanks to the hits "When a Heart...
– lead & rhythm guitars, lead & backing vocals - Gil MooreGil MooreGil Moore is most famous for being the drummer and vocalist of the Canadian power trio, Triumph...
– drums, percussion, lead & backing vocals - Mike Levine – bass guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals
- Lou Pomanti – synthesizer, synthesizer programming, keyboards
- Michael Boddicker – synthesizer, keyboards, synthesizer programming
- Scott HumphreyScott HumphreyScott Humphrey is a Canadian record producer and mix engineer. He began his music career as a keyboard player and programmer. He is best known for his work with multiplatinum recording artist Rob Zombie and has co-written, co-produced and mixed all of his records up until 2007's Zombie Live...
– synthesizer, keyboards, synthesizer programming - Johnny Rutledge – backing vocals
- David Blamires – backing vocals
- Neil Donell – backing vocals
Production
- Mike ClinkMike ClinkMike Clink is a record producer who started his career as an engineer at Record Plant Studios, recording such bands as Triumph, Guns N' Roses, Mötley Crüe, Megadeth, UFO , Jefferson Starship, The Babys, Heart, Eddie Money and many others.Clink began producing in 1986...
– producer, engineer - Thom Trumbo – executive producer
- Bob LudwigBob LudwigBob Ludwig is an American mastering engineer.He is a well known and respected figure within the music industry. His name is credited on the covers of albums released across the world, and he has won numerous awards....
– mastering - Yoshiro Kuzumaki – mastering
- Brett Zilahi – remastering on 2005 re–issue
- Harry Witz – engineer, sound advisor
- Noel Golden – assistant engineer
- Toby Wright – assistant engineer
- Dave Runstedler – assistant engineer
- Allen Abrahamson – assistant engineer
- Tommy Steele – design
- Adamoff – cover art concept
Album
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Canada album chart | 51 |
| 1986 | Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... Pop Albums |
33 |
| 1986 | UK's album chart | 57 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | "Somebody's Out There" | Pop Singles | 27 |
| 1986 | "Somebody's Out There" | Canadian Pop Singles | 84 |
| 1986 | "Somebody's Out There" | United Kingdom Pop Singles | 52 |
| 1986 | "Just One Night" | Pop Singles | 26 |
| 1986 | "Just One Night" | Canadian Pop Singles | 82 |