Iconic vocalist Ann Wilson of HEART is gearing up for a busy summer that will see her performing on the “Stars Align Tour” with Jeff Beck and Paul Rodgers, coming to NASHVILLE on FRIDAY, AUGUST 17 at the NASHVILLE MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM, and prepping the release of her new solo album, Immortal, due out September 14 via BMG (her debut for the label). Tickets are on Sale Here! (or call toll free: 844-425-0513)
“I am thrilled to have been asked to perform on the ‘Stars Align Tour’ with Jeff Beck and Paul Rodgers,” shares Ann. “They are both long time favorites of mine! They are masters at their craft and it is an honor to share the stage this summer.”
For the new release, Ann has teamed with original Heart producer Mike Flicker (Dreamboat Annie, Magazine, Little Queen, Dog and Butterfly and Bebe Le Strange, among others) for an album that will pay homage to musicians lost in the past few years. Fittingly titled Immortal, the album features 10 musically diverse tracks that pay homage to some of the singer’s favorite songs and artists, all of whom have passed away in recent years and whose music poignantly lives on (the full track listing is below).
Ann chose the album title Immortal after revealing some working titles early on in the project. “The original working titles evolved as the concept for the album evolved; a little bit at a time,” explains Ann. “As my understanding of what I had undertaken grew and clarified, I realized a larger truth; that the souls may have departed but the songs will forever be their resonances. These are the poets of our time and their expressions must be handed down. Poetry is lasting and elemental like carvings in rock.”
The finely etched tracks that comprise Immortal cover a lot of musical ground, with many highlights including songs by Leonard Cohen (“A Thousand Kisses Deep”), Amy Winehouse (“Back to Black”), David Bowie (“I’m Afraid of Americans”), Lesley Gore (“You Don’t Own Me”) and Tom Petty (“Luna”). Ann says the criteria for choosing this collection of songs was easy. “First of all, I had to LOVE them! They had to be songs I could get inside of authentically as a singer. Lyrics are important to me but the most important thing is always the marriage of words and melody that makes the song magic!”
With sexism at the forefront of the national conversation, Ann says this did factor into the inclusion of “You Don’t Own Me.” “‘You Don’t Own Me’ was originally an early feminist anthem in the 1960’s and ’70’s. Since then the idea of self possession has grown to be more universal…This song is about refusing to be objectified and owned. By anyone.”
Immortal includes some very special guests as well. “Warren Haynes plays on Tom Petty’s ‘Luna’ and ‘You Don’t Own Me,’” Ann reveals. “Ben Mink is featured on Leonard Cohen’s ‘A Thousand Kisses Deep’ and Amy Winehouse’s ‘Back to Black.’ They are both musicians and great people whom I admire. It’s always a pleasure and an honor to work with them. Their souls shine through on these songs!”
Producer Mike Flicker brings an important element to Immortal. “Mike was the first producer to believe in me,” Ann says. “He was my first teacher in the studio and knows how to provide that special support needed to bring out my soul in the recording process. It is exciting to work with him for the first time since 1980. I have traveled many, many miles since then but the old feeling is still there and fresh on Immortal. He has fearlessly helped me bring my ideas to life once again and it’s been a great collaboration.”
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