The Kings – The Longest Story Ever Told
Vocally, this Canadian band has one of the greatest R&R voices ever recorded. Along with the late Tom Gray (The Brains) & Mike Reno (Loverboy), The Kings had David Diamond who was the electrical charge that masterfully negotiated the circuitry of 1980’s “This Beat Goes On/Switchin’ To Glide.” One of the hottest medleys in rock music (certified platinum finally in 2021).
Diamond returns with equally prominent authority on “Nowhere To Go But Gone.” Laid down heavy & smart. Nothing anemic. The Kings know how to ignite the fuse & let David unspool the vocal sparks. “The Longest Story Ever Told,” has a rollicking saloon-type upright piano where Diamond’s vocals are as authoritative as Jim Morrison, Mick Jagger, Ray Davies, or anything the Cars did.
The vocals are also not just singing, they penetrate entertainingly. DD understands the roots of rock & the band should’ve been major contenders. They sound like a nuclear reactor started up again. I know rock bands that can’t stand toe to toe with them today. Just listen to the significance they display, the intonation & phrasing – rock n’ roll at its best.
10-tracks dominate the self-produced The Longest Story Ever Told (Dropped Sept 8–Dizzy Records/Curve & Warner Music/37:00). The enthusiasm & stamina weaved through each song are impressive. It never lets up. The group was never missing in action but not everything made it to American ears. Their follow-up “Amazon Beach,” years ago was also a romp with tosses of dynamite into the fray.
The new LP includes “I Know So,” a rock offering with saxes & driving music that snaps at the face like cold hail. This has sonic whims (& great video), is tasty & catches a listener tight as a bee in a Venus fly trap. It’s not your daddy’s saccharine-enriched “Eye of the Tiger” & “Final Countdown” pulp. I guess what makes The Kings prominent even now is their performance ability.
The distinguished slice of Mister Zero’s lead guitar, the tight drums (Todd Reynolds), the hypnotic vocals of bassist/rocker David Diamond, stinging keys of Sonny Keyes, Christina Melanie & Peter Nunn all add up to a thick dominating blissful experience.
“A Rose For Your Stone” has Spanish-flavored horns & the rest is a ride where they never hit the brakes. David Diamond’s voice is still as powerful as when he sang “This Beat Goes On/Switchin’ To Glide” on their first album. Let the braless dancing begin & add a splash of single malt whiskey for me. Nobody goes to bed tonight. The Kings are here.
Highlights – “Nowhere To Go But Gone,” “The Longest Story Ever Told,” “I Know So,” a masterful medley on “Circle of Friends/Man That I Am,” “A Rose For Your Stone,” “Clean Shot,” “She Don’t Fool Around” & “Triangle Blues.”
Musicians – Denis Keldie (accordion), Josue Garcia Garcia (trumpets), Earl Seymour (horns arranged & played on “I Know So”), Mike Sloski (drums “Always Off the Deep End”), drum program (“When Dreams Come True”) & guitar solo on “Clean Shot” written by Sonny Keyes (also horn arrangements).
Color photo courtesy RPMpromotion. CD @ Apple Music + https://thekingsarehere.com/