Heart - Essential Heart
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Free Music Notes for Essential Heart
Free Music Review: THE MOST PERFECT HEART HITS COLLECTION YET AVAILABLE...
Hit: 5 Stars
...and no, it can never be topped. Why is this?? Because Sony included EVERY SINGLE Billboard chart entry on this collection, and then some more!! Sony also improved on the 1-disc 1998 "Greatest Hits" in at least two ways...One being the expanding to two CDs (CD1 being the Epic and Mushroom material, 1975 to 1983) and CD2 being the Capitol stuff, 1985 to 1995, much kudos going to Capitol in being great sports in allowing all 19 of these songs to be licensed over to Sony), with all tracks in chronological order, which is cool in following the evolution of the band.
Two being CD1 + CD2 themselves, serious improvements on the individual Epic "Greatest Hits" and Capitol "Greatest Hits 1985-1995", correcting the errors in missing songs, remastering, etc, making this 2CD collection REALLY Essential Heart indeed!! Overall, the whole thing played together nonstop packs a serious wallop, an incredible journey to be taken.
The songs themselves are all classics, and to be honest, the overly slick, somewhat corporate 80s material holds up better than one would imagine. Heart gets VERY close to the line of formula and banality here, but never crosses it, thus retaining the soul of what makes Heart HEART (the soulful, powerful voice of Ann + guitar grace of Nancy, their way with a good song, killer riffs, etc). They seem to make these Diane Warren songs, and LA songwriter tunes THEIRS. I mean, it's hard to imagine anyone other than Heart do "These Dreams" so beautifully, correct??
Now, to sum it all up, Heart is like a female Led Zeppelin, and this comes through, espesh in the early, rawer, more homespun material, like "Crazy On You", "Magic Man", "Barricuda", and even the orchestral "Dreamboat Annie". The 1st disc is a cool summation of their Epic and Mushroom years. The 2nd disc is the 80s-90s Capitol stuff, from their self-titled 1985 comeback album that landed FOUR top 10's in a row, up through their 1994 largely acoustic live album, "The Road Home", produced by none other than Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones!! What comes around, goes around, it seems!!
Lastly, besides their wonderfully written material, Heart also has a winning way with a cover tune, evident on "Alive In Seattle"'s numerous covers of Elton John and Led Zeppelin. Here on "The Essential Heart", here are the covers included, just to cover up some confusion. I just wish with some of the more obscure ones, they were more VOCAL about which songs are actually covers and whom they were originally by...here goes:
CD1--
1-- "Rock & Roll" (Live): of course Led Zeppelin!!
2-- "Tell It Like It Is": Aaron Neville
3-- "Unchaineed Melody" (Live): of course The Righteous Brothers!
CD2-- (here's where people may not be so aware of...)
1-- "Wild Child": this song was by UK band ROMEO'S DAUGHTER, from their obscure, cool 1988 self-titled album on Jive, produced by Mutt Lange, sounds like a female fronted Def Leppard!!
2-- "You're The Voice" (Live): this song was by Australian superstar John Farnham, recorded on his 1986 comeback album "Whispering Jack". He was a onetime member of the Little River Band, and this song was also featured on that 1989 collection "Greenpeace: Rainbow Warriors", which is probably where Ann + Nancy first heard this great song. I did too, and I thought it was a fantastic song!!
3-- "Black On Black II": originally by Lisa Dalbello, known as just Dalbello. Her song was first released on the 1986 soundtrack to "9 1/2 Weeks", in a demo version. The fully-realized recording was released on her 1987, delayed to 1989 in Canada, album "She". Now, why is Heart's version called "Black On Black II" when it was originally just called "Black On Black"?? Because Ann + Nancy changed the lyrics, maybe they wanted to add their own something, I don't know, their own lyrics are cool and they do work. Lisa has worked with them in the past, both on that 4-woman tour of Ann, Nancy, Debra Dobkin and Lisa, BUT Heart also covered Lisa's 1984 song "Wait For An Answer" on "Bad Animals". Lisa's original was on her 1984 career-turning opus "Whomanfoursays", along with "Gonna Get Close To You", that Queensryche covered on their 1986 CD "Rage For Order". Lisa Dalbello is still kicking...
4-- "Ring Them Bells" (with Layne Staley of Alice In Chains): originally by Bob Dylan. 'Nuff said.
Sure, I found, maybe 3 errors in the booklet, but they are minor, so I just corrected them myself with a copy machine, very simple...
Heart are classic and still going...most excellent, the new songs are GREAT!!!!
Free Music Review: You Gotta Have Heart
Hit: 5 Stars
Back in the mid 1970's, the world was introduced to two sisters who would change the views and position of women in rock. They could play and sing just as hard and just as good as any guy in the biz. They wrote their own songs, and played their instruments. Plus, they had the advantage of Nancy Wilson's voice, which is one of the best and most strongest female voices in music. Period. But there have been two different sides to this great duo. Both discs in this collection represent the two different phases in their extraordinary career. Disc one, which features their work from 1976 to 1983, is one fine piece of a music collection. Starting off with two great, classic tracks like "Crazy On You", and "Magic Man", the disc shifts into the soft and beautiful "Dreamboat Annie". The song wasn't a hit, but it should of been. "Crazy On You" and "Magic Man" are two of their greatest classics. The two proved their rock ability with the hard rocking classic "Barracuda", which features not only a legendary vocal by Nancy, but one of the best and most memorable guitar riffs in rock history. This is followed by two great, up tempo little ditties, "Little Queen", and "Kick It Out". Next is "Heartless", and one of their best 70's songs, "Straight On". A personal favorite. "Dog And Butterfly" may very well be one of their nicest accomplishments as well. "Even It Up" is a great jam too. As we ease into the early 80's, the material wasn't as good or catchy. They did a remarkable cover of Led Zeppelin's "Rock And Roll". It's brilliant. "Tell It Like It Is" is sweet, but nothing memorable, even though it was a top 10 hit. "That Man Is Mine" and "How Can I Refuse" were filler, but "Allies" was a beautiful song that had hit written all over it. Why it wasn't is a mystery to me. Disc two covers ground from 1985 to 1994. This was a transition period. The two were on the brink of being dumped from their company. They came back with a vengeance and became a huge 80's pop sensation. They also delivered some brilliant pop tunes. Nancy also used her voice in a fashion that she never would have been able too in the 1970's. Her vocals were bigger and stronger. "What About Love" was a career turning smash. It was followed by "Never", the gorgeous "These Dreams", the great "Nothin' At All", and the rocker, "If Looks Could Kill". Many people say that they sold out. Whatever. It was just a great group doing something new and different. They didn't write as much, but it was still all them on these songs. "Alone" is a gorgeous power ballad that is one of their best songs in any state of their career. "Who Will You Run To" is a great up tempo song. A few more hits included "Stranded", "There's The Girl", "Secret", and the wonderful, "All I Wanna Do Is Make Love To You". The songs and style may of been different, but the sisters still gave it the power and passion of any of their 70's work. Anyone who says it was their worst time obviously didn't get it. Strong work from two gifted females who knew how to do it. "Wild Child" and "Black On Black" are two great rockers that showed that they also knew how to rock out. "Will You Be There(In The Morning" was a pleasant song as well. "You're The Voice" was a great song that should of been a hit. It all ends with "The Road Home". A live version. This is a great song. It's been a while since we've gotten 'Heart', but there's word that a new album is on the way. Thru the years, and the music and style changes, the sisters have always stayed with the music and given it their all. If it's stronger rock music in the 70's, or big, pop songs in the 80's and 90's, they were always at the top of their game. They never sold out in the 80's. It was just a great duo doing something else. If you prefer one decade of the two over another, or you love it all, you will enjoy this CD. It is essential indeed.Free Music Review: Heart's best of many "Greatest Hits" compilations
Hit: 5 Stars
THE BAND: Ann Wilson (lead vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards, violin, harp, percussion), Nancy Wilson (guitars, vocals, mandolin, bass, keyboards) and assorted band members throughout the decades - including Roger Fisher (guitar), Steve Fossen (bass), Michael DeRosier (drums), Howard Leese (guitars, keyboards), Mark Andes (guitar, bass), Denny Carmassi (drums).
THE DISCS: (2002) 37 tracks on 2 discs (disc-1 at 79:15, disc-2 at 78:44). Included with the discs is a 6-page foldout containing several band pictures, a 3-page intro from 'Rolling Stone' editor David Wild, what songs came from which albums, and thank you's. Digitally remastered sound. Previous labels include Mushroom, Sony and Capitol. This release - Epic/Capitol label.
ALBUM REPRESENTATION: Dreamboat Annie (4 songs), Little Queen (4), Magazine (1), Dog & Butterfly (2), Bebe le Strange (1), Greatest Hits: Live (3), Private Auditions (1), Passionworks (2), Heart (5), Bad Animals (4), Brigade (5), Rock The House - Live (1), Desire Walks On (3), The Road Home (1).
COMMENTS: Heart is in the same ranks as several other well known artists (i.e. Aerosmith, Chicago, Rush, Motley Crue and Kiss come to mind) with their "Best Of" compilations - and I have to ask how much is enough? To date I know of the following Heart compilations: "Essential Heart", "Greatest Hits: Live", "Greatest Hits 1976-83", "Greatest Hits 1985-95", "The Collection", "The Definitive Collection", "Love Songs", "Ballads & Greatest Hits". With that being said, hands down, this "Essential" collection is THE best one of the bunch. It covers their entire career - from their debut in 1975 ("Dreamboat Annie") through 1994's live and unplugged "The Road Home". Every studio album between these dates are represented (with the exception of "Jupiter's Darling" released after the fact in 2004). All the staples are here - "Crazy On You", "Barracuda", "Magic Man", "Love Alive", "Heartless", "Straight On'", "Tell It Like It Is", "What About Love?" "Never", "These Dreams", Who Will You Run To", "There's The Girl", "Alone", etc. As well as a few hidden live gems with "You're The Voice", "The Road Home" and a cover of Led Zeppelin's "Rock And Roll". Heart has always sounded great 'live'... even in 2005-06 touring in the small venues... Ann's voice is still an extremely powerful instrument decades later. No compilation is perfect... if there's one out there I haven't seen it. This "Essential" collection is extremely close to being dead on accurate. I've noted only a few minor things wrong: 1. Three glaring song omissions - the live or studio version of "Mistral Wind" (the live track was on "Greatest Hits: Live" and it's a truly chilling version of the song); the title track from the album of the same name "Bebe Le Strange" or "Even It Up", and a deeper (not so glaring) track "RSVP" (from "Bad Animals"); 2. Five songs from "Brigade" is crazy, and 3. One song from "Private Auditions" was probably one song too many (but I respect the fact that they did include something from this mess of an album). There are so many great songs on this set of discs... you will absolutely not go wrong. A great introduction for the beginners, as well as having so many wonderful songs all in one jewel case for the veteran Heart fans. Classic any way you slice it (5 stars).
Free Music Review: The Original Iron Maidens
Hit: 5 Stars
What do you get when you combine talent, two leading ladies and a collection of hits that are as powerful now as they were when they were first released? The Essential Heart is a collection of over 25 years of solid gold hits, for me at least of the most prolific pulse pounding songs ever to grace the airwaves. "Crazy on You", "Barracuda", and "Straight On" really capture time in a bottle, (or at least a three minute song). They were competeting with the likes of Fleetwood Mac, KISS, the Stones and yet Heart has managed to stay true to their roots while placating the masses. "Straight On" a catchy love tune that uses love as a card game, just brilliantly has impact on the foolish games people play when it comes to romance. Their rendition of Unchained Melody and Rock and Roll, though I cannot stand covers, stands out as more than just a hit sung Heart style. They made it their own. If it had them who had relased it, they would have made it a hit. Maybe a bigger one! But perhaps the most powerful song is number 17 on CD one: "How can I refuse". With one foot in the retro past and the other in the future, Heart in a way made their own way into the New Wave/Glam Metal movment that would define the era of excess.
When the 80s came rolling, what was Heart to do but reinvent their own style to keep up with their rock counterparts and boy did they show the world how. "These Dreams" reminded the world that it was the same Heart, same sound, just a different time. While at the same time competing with the likes of Madonna, Heart still retained exposure through audio air waves as well as the fledgling MTV, showing young people, "Hey we may have started over ten years ago, but we can still rock". While some took to 'Lucky Star' or 'Bang your head' as musical medication. Heart gave their dose of talent with ''Who will you run to' 'There's the girl'. 'I want you so bad' which echo the 80s and still maintain the deep felt beat and sound without selling out. Nancy Wilson on vocals wasn't that bad either! When the 90s came along it meant another change, but it was still the same old Heart. My only complaint about this compilation was the fact that it didn't have 'I want your world to turn' from the Bridage album (1990). I guess for some of us who can remember, it is very haunting to listen to a particular song and take us back in time, hitting that one note within our psyches and still produce the same amount of endorphins as when your first heard it. For whippersnappers like me, it's about an era I was barely around to see, but hearing that song evoke a time in musical history. That's how powerful music can be most of the times. Back on Black from 'Animals (1993) showed us an aggressive side to Heart as the time gave way to grunge, gangsta rap and the Clinton Administration. Perhaps Heart's darkest tune, but it certainly shows us the listener that the ladies still have it, well into their 40s and now their 50s and beyond.
A definite buy!
Free Music Review: With Every Beat of The Heart
Hit: 5 Stars
With multiple record labels and more than a few best ofs already in their discography, it's fantastic to be able to get a set that covers all the bases in one strike. For Ann and Nancy Wilson, "The Essential Heart" does exactly that. From the early Dreamboat Annie on Mushroom Records to the long-term success on Portrait/CBS to their third wave on Capitol, all the major hits are here.
While they started as a "female Led Zepplin" when 70's power rockers picked up on "Crazy On You" and "Magic Man," Heart soon developed personality all their own. The angry bite of "Barracuda" contains one of the 70's all time great riffs, while Dog & Butterfly (both the album and the song) was a startlingly diverse rock album. But like most bands, when the superstar status lands, there's almost always tension. Heart was no different, and when the internal strife led to the lackluster success of Private Audition and Passionworks (despite such solid songs as "How Can I Refuse"), it seemed like Heart would soon wind down.
Against all odds, Heart signed with Capitol records and took a Bernie Taupin penned song back into the top ten. 1985's "These Dreams" (originally intended for Stevie Nicks and loaded with that same kind of vibe) kick-started yet another wave of success. Soon Heart became slick MTV faves, with big hair and big hits, but at a price. If you look at "The Essentials" second disc, you'll note that only two of the 19 songs were penned by Ann and Nancy. The trend that drove 80's bands like Aerosmith and Cheap Trick to - sometimes forcibly - cover songs by established songwriters like Dianne Warren ("Who Will You Run To"), Mutt Lange ("All I Wanna Do is Make Love To You") and Steinberg/Kelly ("Alone") gave Heart memorable hooky rock-pop, but backed them into a creative corner. After The Road Home, Ann and Nancy announced a sabbatical from which they have only recently come back from.
There's still plenty to love on this set, from some of the lesser-known hits ("Tell It Like It Is," "Heartless") to some choice album selections ("Ring Them Bells" with the late Layne Staley). By gathering all these songs onto one set, "The Essential Heart" is also an essential CD of a band that helped alter the sound of the 70's and 80's.