Heart - Alive In Seattle


Year of Release: 2003
Label: Sony/Legacy Recordings
Catalog Number: 90287
Format: CD
Total Time: 92:25:00

I was so happy to find Alive In Seattle in my mailbox one day. I had no idea it was coming. In fact, I did not think that Heart was active any longer. I think many people felt that way. Their last studio album was Heart Presents A Lovemonger's Christmas in 2001and their last legitimate studio rock album was 1993's Desire Walks On, so it comes as no surprise that most folks would have considered that they were at least semi-retired as a group. Much to my delight there is this new double live CD and DVD out featuring the legendary sister rock music team. They play all of their hits from the '70s like "Magic Man," "Dreamboat Anne" and "Dog & Butterfly," great new songs "Heaven," "Sister Wild Rose" and "Break The Rock," and brilliant rocking covers of "Battle Of Evermore" and "Black Dog" (Led Zeppelin), "Mona Lisa And Madhaters" (Elton John) and "The Witch" (Sonics).

I grew up in the '70s, so many fine memories come tied up into this music for me. This music gets me all choked up with emotion. When I hear those beautiful Nancy and Ann sing and play their music, especially when I hear "Alone," (the acoustic version on this CD is just as spine tingling as it was with the electric guitar) there is nothing like it in the world, it is something special. Just as one line in the song states - "It chills me to the bone," but in a nice way.

I remember reading the magazine Circus (back in the days when it was good) and the commentary about Heart. They made many comparisons to Zeppelin regarding their sound and influence. The sisters were smart enough to embrace that and run with it, and here we are nearly 30 years later listening to that music all over again in all its glory and magnetic appeal. There will also be a SACD of this same set released in June, which I look forward to hearing.

To be honest, I was not to sure what to expect when I played this. I realize that this band has had some good years and felt that probably their best years were now behind them; just another rock dinosaur trying to make a comeback right? I was so wrong. This is an incredible performance! The band is really cookin' right along and the Wilson sisters have not lost too much over the years concerning vocal range, impact, and stage presence. This performance was the last of their "Summer Of Love" 2002 tour in the comfort of their hometown, Seattle. The crowd is full of energy and they react with enthusiasm to the music and interact with the sisters quite a bit. Watch for the "Alive In America Tour" in 2003 if you would like to see for yourself what it is like experiencing live Heart music. Get ready, this two CD set is something that will get you warmed up for the real deal.


Tracklisting:
Disc One: Crazy On You (5:03) / Sister Wild Rose (3:29) / The Witch (2:59) / Straight On (5:22) / These Dreams (5:38) / Mistral Wind (7:39) / Alone (4:58) / Dog & Butterfly (6:16) / Mona Lisa's And Mad Hatters (5:50) / Battle Of Evermore (5:50)

Disc Two: Heaven (5:51) / Magic Man (6:00) / Two Faces of Eve (4:16) / Love Alive (5:53) / Break the Rock (3:55) / Barracuda (6:10) / Wild Child (4:37) / Black Dog (6:12) / Dreamboat Annie (3:27)

Musicians:
Ann Wilson - vocals, acoustic guitar, autoharp, flute, ukulele
Nancy Wilson - guitars, acoustic guitar, vocals, mandolin, ukulele
Scott Olson - guitar, acoustic guitar, lap steel, backing vocals
Mike Inez - bass guitar, Marley Burns, dinner rolls
Ben Smith - drums, percussion
Tom Kellock - keyboards

Discography:
Dreamboat Annie (1976)
Little Queen (1977)
Magazine (1978)
Dog & Butterfly (1978)
Bebe Le Strange (1980)
Heart Greatest Hits: Live (1980)
Heart (1981)
Private Audition (1982)
Passionworks (1983)
Heart (1985)
Bad Animals (1987)
With Love From (1988)
Brigade (1990/1991*)
Rock the House Live! (1991)
Desire Walks On (1993)
The Road Home (1995)
Definitive Collection (1995)
Greatest Hits (1997)
These Dreams: Heart's Greatest Hits (1997)
Greatest Hits (1998)
Simply The Best (2000)
Greatest Hits: 1985-1995 (2000)
Heart Presents A Lovemonger's Christmas (1998/2001/2004)
Ballads: Greatest Hits (2001)
Definitive Collection (2002) single disc
Essential Heart (2002)
Alive In Seattle (2003)
Jupiter's Darling (2004)
The Collection (2005)
Love Alive (2005)
Love Songs (2006)
Dreamboat Annie Live (2007)
Red Velvet Car (2010)
Night At Sky Church (2010)

Heart (VHS) (1986)
The Road Home (VHS/DVD) (1995)
Alive In Seattle (DVD) (2003)

*deluxe CD package

Genre: Rock

Origin US

Added: June 1st 2003
Reviewer: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck
Score:
Artist website: www.heart-music.com
Hits: 2565
Language: english

  

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