Maps of Music
The Heart of the Matter (1985)
Where the lyrics of The Heart of the Matter take you, and where it was really made.
Lead single Morning Desire reached #1 on the country charts, yet the album itself peaked only at #51 on the US Billboard 200.
View on the mapKey places
Sunset Sound, Hollywood (1985)
Recording site Sunset Sound — The album lists Sunset Sound in Hollywood as a recording location, together with Hollywood Sound Recorders. The point marks the studio building. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there: See the map for directions.
Lion Share Studios, Los Angeles (1985)
Recording site Lion Share — The album lists Lion Share Studios in Los Angeles as a recording location. The point marks the studio building. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there: See the map for directions.
Soundcastle, Santa Monica (1985)
Recording site Ruby Red — The album lists Soundcastle in Santa Monica as a recording location. The point sits at the city center, not at the studio building. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there: See the map for directions.
Evergreen Studios, Burbank (1985)
Recording site The Enterprise (Burbank) — The album lists Evergreen Studios in Burbank as a recording location. The point sits at the city center, not at the studio building. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there: See the map for directions.
Studio Marcadet, Paris (1985)
Recording site Pathé Marconi studios — The album lists Studio Marcadet in Paris as a recording location. The point sits at the city center, not at the studio building. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there: See the map for directions.
Album story
Overview
- The Heart of the Matter is the 17th studio album by American singer Kenny Rogers
- Released in 1985 by RCA Records
- Produced by George Martin
- Issued on LP, cassette and CD
- Rogers' 11th album to reach #1 on Billboard's Country albums chart
- Peaked at #51 on the US Billboard 200
Background
- Released after Rogers signed to RCA
- Short Stories, also released after that signing, is the source of the single Goodbye Marie
- Two singles came from this album
- Morning Desire reached the top of the country charts
- Tomb of the Unknown Love, the final single, was a #1 hit on the country charts
Recording
- String arrangements by George Martin and Jeremy Lubbock
- Jeremy Lubbock also served as conductor on several tracks
- Jules Chaikin is credited as string contractor
- Many string players are credited on the personnel list
- Recording locations listed across Hollywood, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Burbank and Paris
Sources: en.wikipedia.org · it.wikipedia.org
Artist
Formation
- Kenneth Donald Ray Rogers was born on August 21, 1938, in Houston, Texas, and began his recording career in the late 1950s with the Houston group the Scholars.
- He was an American country singer-songwriter who moved from teenage rock and roll through psychedelic rock to become a country-pop crossover artist of the 1970s and 1980s.
- In 1967 he co-founded the First Edition with former New Christy Minstrels members, later renamed Kenny Rogers and the First Edition.
Members
- The First Edition's members included Mike Settle, Terry Williams, Thelma Camacho, and Kin Vassy.
- Rogers's backing band Bloodline has toured with him since 1976.
Career
- The First Edition scored hits including "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)" and "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town" before the group disbanded in 1976.
- As a solo artist he charted more than 60 top-40 singles, including the number-one hits "Lady" and "Islands in the Stream".
- He recorded duets with Dottie West, Dolly Parton, and Sheena Easton, and partnered with Lionel Richie as songwriter.
- His signature song "The Gambler" won a Grammy in 1980 and was selected for the National Recording Registry in 2018.
- He sold more than 100 million records worldwide and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013.
- He retired from touring in 2017 and died on March 20, 2020, at age 81.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Reception
At release
- Morning Desire reached the top of the country charts
- Morning Desire also reached #8 on the adult contemporary chart
- Morning Desire reached #72 on the pop charts
- Tomb of the Unknown Love, the final single from this album, was a #1 hit on the country charts
- Goodbye Marie came from the Short Stories album and charted
Records
- Rogers' eleventh album to reach #1 on Billboard's Country albums chart
- Peaked at #51 on the US Billboard 200
- Certified Gold by the RIAA
- Released by RCA Records in 1985
- Produced by George Martin
Sources: en.wikipedia.org · pt.wikipedia.org
Trivia
- Don't Look In My Eyes was used by NBC Sports in a music video of the 1986 Boston Red Sox, shown during the postgame show of the 1986 World Series.
- That broadcast came after the New York Mets beat the Red Sox in Game 7 to win the World Championship.
- Goodbye Marie came from the Short Stories album, which was also released after Rogers signed to RCA.
- Jeremy Lubbock is credited with string arrangements and conducting on tracks 5, 6, 8 and 10.
- Wally Traugott did the mastering at Capitol Mastering in Hollywood, California.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
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