Ann Wilson of Heart to Release First Solo Album ever - Hope & Glory - September 11, 2007
Posted July 4, 2007
I have been a huge Heart fan since I was a kid. They were my main inspiration as a guitarist and songwriter. And while I've always gravitated towards Nancy Wilson because of her amazing acoustic guitar abilities, no one in their right mind could ignore Ann Wilson and her amazing voice.
Finally, after over three decades performing in Heart, Ann Wilson will release her first solo album, Hope and Glory, on September 11, 2007.
Ann Wilson has one of the most distinctive voices in rock and roll. She has refined her talent over the years and has found the perfect mix of power and subtlety. Over the years, there have been a lot of cookie-cutter type singers out there. Ann Wilson is not one of them. There are a handful I can think of who fit into the following category: When you hear them, there is no doubt who it is.
Aretha Franklin
Stevie Nicks - not the best voice, but certainly destinctive.
With Ann, there is never a doubt who you are listening to. No one sounds like her. She has crafted her instrument, mastered it and kicks its butt every time she opens up her mouth to sing. I have seen Heart in concert probably 18 times through the years. And each year, Ann sounds amazing. I'm still surpirsed I know what she's capable of and yet, I'm still amazed. There's that certain part of the song Alone, right before the 2nd chorus, when Ann just wails...in concert, the audience holds their breath, too afraid to miss the greatness.
Hope and Glory is a social statement. The songs chosen were very personal to Ann. And if you are expecting an album of originals you may be disapointed. However, from what I hear from those who have been priveledged enough to receive an advance copy, she makes these songs her own. Here's the track listing:
1. Goodbye Blue Sky - with Nancy Wilson (Pink Floyd)
2. Where to Now St. Peter - with Elton John (Elton John)
3. Jackson - with k.d. lang (Lucinda Williams)
4. We Gotta Get Out of This Place - with Wynonna (The Animals)
5. Immigrant Song (Led Zeppelin)
6. Darkness Darkness - with Nancy Wilson (The Youngbloods)
7. Bad Moon Rising - with Gretchen Wilson (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
8. War of Man - with Alison Krauss (Neil Young)
9. Get Together - with Nancy Wilson, Deana Carter & Wynonna (The Youngbloods)
10. Isolation (John Lennon)
11. A Hard Rains a-Gonna Fall - with Rufus Wainwright & Shawn Colvin (Bob Dylan)
12. Little Problems, Little Lies - the only original song on the album
While this listing reads like a who's who in music, no doubt, Ann Wilson is the star. She has earned her moment in the spotlight.
The official press release is on the billboard of my pure volume page. Heart also has a website. http://www.heart-music.com
As the release date nears, I'm sure there will be more information available.
Got Ann? Patience my children, patience. Ann F-in' Wilson - there is no substitute!
Take Heart,
Andrea
