Got Ann?

Ann Wilson, who has long been hailed by fans and critics as one of the most powerful voices in Rock n Roll, delivers one of the most amazing vocal performances of her career on her first solo effort, Hope & Glory.

Little by little, song by song, this album is unfolding online before its actual release date, September 11, 2007, which holds significance for Ann due to the theme of the of the album.

You can hear two of the songs on Ann’s myspace page. Immigrant Song, a Led Zeppelin cover, is a departure from the original. Ann, friend and long time fan of Elton John, teams up with Elton on his and Bernie’s own Where To Now St. Peter. Both songs have been available for a few weeks on Ann’s myspace page. They are in constant rotation on my mp3 player. Both songs were just a glimpse of what is turning out to be one of my favorite albums of all time.

After marinating in Immigrant Song and Where To Now St. Peter for a few weeks, thanks to another dedicated and loyal Heart fan - TDHS - we were introduced to War of Man via kdhx.org on their streaming radio program Sound Salvation with Steve Pick. Subsequently, he has also featured Darkness Darkness, We Gotta Get Out Of This Place and A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall. Additionally, Goodbye Blue Sky and Bad Moon Rising are currently in rotation on XM Satellite radio’s Deep Tracks (Channel 40) along with Where To Now St. Peter. Seven of the twelve songs on Ann’s album are available for all to hear. It takes a little effort, but I promise, they are worth every second you spend waiting for the streams to load.

Forget for a moment that I am a long time dedicated and loyal Heart fan. Just because I’m biased, doesn’t mean I’m wrong. Ann is indisputably a vocal force to be reckoned with. She and Nancy have both mentioned that a major goal for them with Heart has always been to try and recreate Heart’s live sound in the studio. Ann Wilson is a large part of the reason this is such a difficult task. If you have seen Heart in concert then you know what I’m talking about. Ann in front of thousands of screaming fans is more powerful than Ann in the studio. Don’t get me wrong, though, she’s no slouch in the studio. I won’t lie and tell you Ann has been successful with Hope & Glory in finally capturing the Ann Wilson live experience without her actually being on a stage. I’m not even sure that was something she was going for on Hope & Glory. But what she has done successfully is show us how eclectic she is and how well suited her voice is for anything she decides to sing. This should come as no surprise since Ann has not only been wowing fans as the lead singer in Heart for the last thirty years, but she has also done a stint in a theatrical show in the Seattle area called Teatro Zinzanni where she played a “rock chanteuse” and sang songs more accurately labeled torch songs than rock anthems. It is fitting that Ann is a Gemini – they are famous for their multi-faceted personalities. Ann’s voice is no different in all its delicious flavors.

The buzz on the internet is getting louder, which is a good thing. But there is a misconception that this “cover album” is also a “duets” album. This is simply not true, from what I’ve heard. While the artists who make guest appearances certainly leave distinctive marks on the songs on which they appear, there is absolutely no doubt that this is Ann Wilson’s show. So far, the closest thing to a duet I’ve heard is indeed with Elton on Where To Now St. Peter. But who can fault Ann for letting Elton share duties on this song. They actually do a great job and I’m sure it had to be a thrill for Ann to finally get to work with one of her favorite “girlfriends” and musical heroes.

At times, Ann uses a less is more approach, letting her sultry voice permeate the air without doing the balls out wailing for which she has become famous (see/hear right before 2nd chorus of Alone - any Heart concert). There’s nothing like Ann Wilson wailing for any Heart fan. However, on the haunting Darkness Darkness, backed towards the end by Nancy, Ann’s voice is the emotional equivalent of the lyrics, perfectly layered on top of whining violins, grainy sounding guitars and Ann’s flute. There are parts of the song where Ann “kicks it up a notch” as Emeril would say, definitely at the end as she screams Darkness Darkness. After hearing this, though, I am convinced, that as good as Ann sounds with everyone who is lucky enough to sing with her on this album, the quintessential vocal side-kick to Ann is without a doubt Nancy Wilson. Perhaps it’s DNA. Their styles and voices are so different and yet they compliment each other so well. Nancy is used sparingly, but when she comes in, it only helps continue the haunting vibe. With Nancy backing Ann it reminds you of all the reasons you fell in love with Heart to begin with. Together, with the musical arrangement, this song is such a powerful work of art and it is best savored with headphones, a few candles in a dark room with incense burning. But, hey, that’s just me.

On Bad Moon Rising Ann is backed by the very able Gretchen Wilson. With the serious nature of the album, it is a welcome light moment in your musical journey. When discussing this song with another Monger, who expressed doubts because of the “twang” aspect of the song, I had to urge her to keep an open mind. First, you can’t help but laugh as you hear Gretchen Wilson and Ann at the beginning, “Chicken and a waffle and mustard on top.” With the theme of this album being so serious, the humor is a nice contrast and the fun-time-had-by-all vibe of this song is - well - fun. I can’t wait to hear the story behind the “chicken and a waffle and mustard on top.” Knowing Ann, I’m sure it’s a good one. But what I love about the song is it’s Cajun sound. It’s no secret that Ann’s been a fan of New Orleans over the years and it shows in this song. It’s full of fiddles and I swear I hear an accordion in there somewhere? Can we get a 1020 on Debbie Shair during the recording of this song? The twang you hear in the music is not a country twang, but a Cajun spin with rock vocals. I think that’s what makes it work so well. Gretchen continues to prove she’s worthy to be in the same room with Ann. But at no time, even on the lines she sings solo, does Gretchen ever attempt to out-sing Ann. (HA - as if!) This song is full of “woo” moments (if you don’t know about the woo moments, let me know and I’ll explain it to you) and I think most fans will ultimately find this becoming one of their favorite songs.

This might be a good time to mention that I’m absolutely in love with Heart’s version of Goodbye Blue Sky, which was recorded live at the filming of the Classic Albums live show they did in L.A. back in April. Again, this is an example of Ann live versus Ann in the studio. To be fair, it only makes sense that I would like Heart’s version better since it’s what I’ve been listening to since the show aired in May and really, the two versions aren’t that different. I think live it’s rawer and that works for this song and Ann’s voice. Once again, Nancy helps Ann out on this song and the harmonies are perfection.

I have not had the full experience of getting lost in this album in its entirety. What I have heard so far, coupled with the 30 second samples which only beg for more, is some of the best work Ann Wilson has ever done. I can’t wait to hear the remaining songs and I wait on pins and needles for Ann’s version of Isolation. What I am left with after reflecting on the songs I have heard, is a sense of pride for Ann. She has taken these songs and put her signature on them and made them he own. She has done an amazing job with this album. I hope she tours either solo, or that Heart tours and includes some of these songs in support of the album. It will be interesting to see how these songs sound sung by Ann Wilson in front of thousands of screaming fans.

Take Heart,

Andrea