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The Duke & The King is the project of Simon Felice, late of The Felice Brothers, and his musical partner Robert Bird Burke. Though an American group, the band’s success, like many bands in the Americana genre, has been much greater in Europe than it has been in their homeland. Thus, The Duke & The King’s record have, unfortunately, not seen an American release. This collection compiles the best of the band’s two previous albums, Long Live the Duke and the King and Nothing Gold Can Stay. It’s a shame, too, that these records have not seen the light of day, because there’s a gentleness that our musical scene is sincerely lacking, save for the occasional NPR-related programming. For a compilation, though, this self-titled record sure doesn’t feel disjointed. And Simon Felice sings with a syrupy-sweet tone, not unlike the better moments of James Taylor and Graham Nash, especially when the band harmonizes, where backup vocalist Simi Stone adds a nice dimension with her sweet, innocent singing. The band likes to call itself a “soul-funk-glam ensemble,” but, really, nothing here lives up to that hyperbolic description. But you do find some good songs, such as the plaintive “The Morning I Get to Hell,” the heartfelt early 70s rock of “You and I” (which contains some downright KILLER harmonies), the Neil Youngish “Shaky” (how could it NOT, with that title), and the simply damn gorgeous “Hudson River,” a gospel number that is quite Bill Withers in nature. Shame that the music world of today isn’t so accepting of such great, “Adult” sounding music, because Felice is a master story teller. But we know better, don’t we? Yes, yes we do—and here’s to hearing something new, and here’s to hoping his homeland gets to appreciate his talents.
