If you came to the Ann Wilson Soundstage Television
Taping expecting to hear her perform a bunch of Heart songs, you probably came
away from the show a little disappointed … she only did three. (“Barracuda,”
her second song in, followed by a completely slowed down, drawn out version of
“Crazy On You” and, about two thirds of the way in, a slowed down version of
what is already a slow ballad, “Alone,” a #1 Hit for the group back in
1987.) To keep that number in
perspective, she also did three songs by The Who … the show-opener “The Real
Me,” a kick-ass version of “Won’t Get Fooled Again” and “Reign On Me.” She also did songs by The Eagles (“Life In
The Fast Lane”), Amy Winehouse (“Back To Black”), Buffalo Springfield (“For
What It’s Worth”), the obligatory Led Zeppelin / Robert Plant song (“Misty
Mountain Hop”) and an amazing version of the Yes classic “Your Move.” With a new LP out (“Immortal,” paying tribute
to many of the artists who have recently left us), her current solo tour (as
well as a new one coming up … “The Stars Align” tour, teaming her with rockers
Jeff Beck and Paul Rodgers) and now this PBS television special, one could get
the impression that she was trying to distance herself from her past with the
band she devoted over forty years of her life to, earning Heart countless
accolades and, finally, recognition for those efforts by way of induction into The
Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. (When a fan
in the audience held up a Heart album, Ann mumbled something under her breath
to the effect of “Yeah, that’s exactly what I’m trying to get away from.” Wonder if that’ll make the final TV
edit! Lol)
If you came to the Ann Wilson Soundstage Television
Taping expecting to see her perform this incredible show, you had better be
prepared to stand for the entire performance … because the audience was up on
its feet the whole evening … screaming and cheering every step of the way. There were times it was deafening (and everything
was certainly amped up a notch or two for the benefit of the television cameras, preserving the event for all posterity.)
What you did see and hear was an energized
performance. She looked and sounded
great. (Ann Wilson has one of the most powerful voices in rock and roll … but
she is just as easily able to channel the blues and soul that clearly inspired
her along the way … and she can tear your heart out when she sings a ballad,
too!) she rocked the jam-packed Arcada Theatre to the rafters.) One point was made abundantly clear … no
matter what material she chooses to feature (she even did “I Put A Spell On
You” for God’s sake!), THE GIRL CAN SING!!!
One of her several encores featured her brand new version of the Lesley Gore tune “You Don’t Own Me,” which is getting quite a
bit of press in this current “Me, Too” age ... an anthem again of sorts, thanks
to its powerful message. (WTG to our
long-time buddy John Madara, who wrote the tune some 55 years ago … this song
is truly timeless and one of my all-time favorites.)
And her reading of an old blues track, “Danger Zone,”
accompanied only by a piano, which ultimately closed the show was simply
beautiful. The band then came back out
to take their final bow to well-deserved thunderous applause.
No official word on exactly when this Soundstage PBS
Special will air other than “Fall” for right now … but we will definitely keep
you posted.
kk
Kent Kotal
Forgotten Hits
