After a contract filling compromise, Magazine, they returned in fine fettle with Dog & Butterfly, the more natural follow-up to Little Queen with the now-familiar collision course between gentle build-ups and heavy rock crescendos lending their stage shows the atmosphere of ritual. Impressed by their careful synthesis of Led Zeppelin styled hard rock and less heavy acoustic folk pieces like “Treat Me Well” and “Cry to Me” Heart found themselves elevated by their audience to superstars, despite legal wrangling with their Mushroom Records mentors. In the end, Heart had the last laugh as “Barracuda”, “Kick It Out” and “Little Queen” stormed the charts and sent the parent disc triple Platinum in the US and double Platinum in Canada. The market for this sound meant that 1977’s Little Queen should have been a no-brainer whereas it’s gestation was beset by label problems. Wistful lyrics and impeccable band work called to mind Fleetwood Mac and Jefferson Starship, adding elements of pomp and progressive to the mix a la The Moody Blues. Bolstered by the rapid acoustic rhythms of “Crazy on You”, “Magic Man” and the title piece, Dreamboat Annie was a refreshing alternative to the norm. Adding some unusual instrumentation – flute, bells – and subtle orchestral arrangements courtesy of musical director Howard Leese, this disc began as a slow burner and then took off, making #7 on the Billboard Top 200 and eventually arriving in the British Top 40 in 1977. Ann wrote nearly all the material with Nancy while guitarist Roger Fisher helped shape the signature sound. It soon became apparent that the duo was a more natural front for Heart music and having relocated to Vancouver the ensemble recorded Dreamboat Anniewith producer Mike Flicker. The origins of Heart go way back to Washington area bands The Army and White Heart, male preserves both until first Ann and then Nancy joined the line-up. The Ann Wilson Thing EP is just out on Rounder Records and their most recent album Fanatic was produced by long time k.d.lang collaborator Ben Mink with a live interpretation Fanatic Live From Caesar’s Colosseum to capture them at their rocking best, playing hits old and new. A constant draw on the live circuit they have never become complacent. Their band line-ups include an impressive array of players: Roger Fisher, Howard Leese, Scott Olson and former Spirit and Jo Jo Gunne ace Mark Andes have all enjoyed backing the Wilsons. Legends of the Seattle scene their Bad Animals Studio has played host to everyone from Neil Young and R.E.M. to Soundgarden, Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. Given their chart placings across four decades Heart are also the most successful female-fronted band around, revolutionaries in that aspect. It is also to Heart’s credit that they are pioneers in persuading other women to pick up the hard rock cudgels and their acoustic folk side is an influence on contemporary acts like The Pierces. Major moments are many but the Heart, Bad Animals and Brigade discs are phenomenal sellers to this day and their various compilations are excellent places to begin your discovery – genuine greatest hits. They have sold over 35 million records worldwide since debut Dreamboat Annie exploded upon us. Both are adept musicians on every level and know how to put on a show and entertain their vast army of fans. Heart’s AOR (Album Orientated Rock) style is often coloured by the sweet side of heavy metal with Ann winning a reputation as one of the finest vocalists in that field while sister Nancy is an expert songwriter. Sammy Hagar, Richard Marx, Shawn Colvin and Pat Monahan from Train joined Heart for the seasonal concert, which was taped on Decemat the Benaroya Symphony Concert Hall in Seattle.Although the Heart sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson first found fame in Canada, a land where they appreciate a close harmony folk-rock and beyond sound, they actually hail from Seattle, Washington and have been making high quality and highly successful albums since the early 1970s. The package features a hometown performance by the Seattle band and guests singing holiday classics, personal favorites and some of their own hits. Heart will release “Heart & Friends: Home For The Holidays” on CD/DVD, Blu Ray and digital download on November 10 (Nov. It a very kinetic, powerful kick to it and I liked it." The way 'Kick It Out' sounded that night was the difference between two guitars and four guitars on stage. "We said, 'Of course,' because they’re our buds. "They were like, 'Hey, can you come over and do this thing'?" Ann recalls.
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