Customer Reviews

Alive in Seattle

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Ann and Nancy Wilson, the sister duo who were one of the biggest rock acts of the 70's, and one of the biggest pop/rock acts of the 80's, are back and better than ever. It seems that time away from Heart was a good thing for the sisters. The group has pretty much off the radar since the mid 90's, while the two ventured out onto their own projects. Heart is firing up again and this 2-disc live set shows that this Heart beats just as fast as it always has. Maybe even more. This concert, which is also available on DVD, was recorded in their hometown of Seattle, Washington on August 8, 2002. It was the final show of their summer love tour. How fitting to end it in their hometown, which is like a second home to me as well since it is close and I have been there a million times. The CD opens on a lively, energetic version of their first classic hit, "Crazy On You". After the classic opening, the sisters unleash a brand new song called "Sister Wild Rose". It's a sparkling, kicked up rocker that has a very old school sound to it. It then goes into a cover tune of "The Witch", from the group The Sonics. I had never heard that song before. It's a simple, up tempo track. One of the best performances of the concert comes with the kickin' performance of "Straight On". This has always been a great tune, and it sounds fantastic. After the lively first few numbers, it settles into a more tamer show with "These Dreams", done in a differnt, more accoustic manner. It's a lovely re-working if their 1985 classic, and it sounds great. They do the same with the 1987 gem, "Alone". It really works well done in that treatment, and it features a beautiful vocal from Ann. What else is new?. "Dog And Butterfly" is expertly done. That has always been a favorite. They do a cover of Elton John's 1972 song, "Mona Lisa's And Matters". It's a lovely tune, and they thought it fit perfectly with the summer of love tour. Disc one ends with a Led Zeppelin cover, "The Battle Of Evermore". If anyone con do Led Zeppelin, it is Ann Wilson. She did their hits "Rock And Roll" in 1980, and also does "Black Dog" on this CD. It's brilliant. Disc 2 starts off with another new song called "Heaven". It's a lengthy, mid-tempo song. It is good, but it's the least of their 4 new songs here. After this new entry, it really kicks into high gear with a pulse pounding rendition of "Magic Man". The song never sounded so rockin', and Ann is just stunning on vocals. "Two Faces Of Eve" is another new song, and it is one of the better ones of the 4. Up-tempo and fun. They then do the sweet, "Love Alive". This is a great song and it turns more up-tempo in the middle, and it is wonderful. The 4th and final new song is called "Break The Rock". This is the best of the 4. It's an old fashioned Heart rock and roll song, and it comes off very, very nicely. I hope it is on the new studio album. "Barracuda". One of the greatest rock songs. It is always one of the best songs done live, and this one doesn't disappoint at all. They kick it up some more with "Wild Child", off of their 1990 album, "Brigade". This is a fun, up tempo rocker that definitley fits in with the mood and style of music they are doing here. The disc ends with the gorgeous and beautiful ballad, "Dreamboat Annie". The title track off of their debut album, back in 1976. This is a marvelous live CD from the two women. It's energetic, fresh, fun, and the sound quality is incredibly fantastic. There's even more talk on this one than on other live CD's I have heard of late. I always like a little talking. Ann's voice is a wondrous thing. So powerful, so strong, so beautiful. She could knock the socks off the newer female singers. None of them can beat her. Nancy Wilson has proven to be a kick butt guitar player. Her playing is strong, passionate, and as solid as you can get. Most of the 80's and 90's material is ignored, which isn't a surprise since it seems that they are going back to their roots, and those songs don't fit there. The 80's and 90's were a big part of their history, so it would of been nice for a more well rounded collection. It also would of been nice if their had been a couple more classic tunes on here, and not just covers and new material. "Kick It Out", "Even It Up", "Heartless", and even "What About Love", would of been very welcomed. The covers were great, and the new songs are great, but one of preferred some more classics. That is the only gripe here. Heart is back in a big way. They may have taken time off for a while, but they never lost their touch or sound, or their special gift of talent. It is all right here on this CD. You gotta have Heart.

Recorded in Seattle, during the last show of their 2002 Summer Of Love Tour, sisters Ann (Lead vocals) and Nancy Wilson (vocals & guitar)and company put on one great show. New memebers of the group include Scott Olson on guitar (longtime guitarist Howard Leese is no longer with the band), Mike Inez on bass guitar, Ben Smith on drums and Tom Kellock on keyboards. Heart performs some of their classics such as "Crazy On You", "Magic Man", "Dreamboat Annie", "Barracuda", "Straight On", "Dog & Butterfly",etc. and later songs such as "These Dreams" and "Alone". They also do quite a few covers as well. Led Zeppelin is represented here with "Black Dog" and "The Battle Of Evermore", Elton John with "Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters" and The Sonics with "The Witch". Heart also performs three new songs such as "Sister Wild Rose", "Heaven" and "Break The Rock" (all of which could have come from one their 70's albums). Heart still sounds great after all these years (27+) and after hearing this "live" 2-cd set I'm sure you'd agree. Of note, these cd's are designed to be used in both cd-compatible as well as super audio cd players. If you enjoy listening to seventies rock then this cd would make a nice addition to anyone's collection. Recommended!

OK, it took me long enough to get the CD version of the Alive In Seattle concert, which was the last performance of their Summer of Love tour. Fitting, as they hail from Seattle. With four new songs, a few covers, and their repetoire of 70's and 80's material, the equal balance between hard-hitting rockers and heart-melting ballads, it qualifies as an instant winner.

Playing the classics always brings out the magic. Ann puts it in a smart-alecky humorous way, when she tells the audience how they polled some Heart fans, "We said, 'up against the wall. whaddya want to hear?'" The winning song was of course their first classic "Magic Man." The rendition here has heavier lead guitars more in tune with the Brigade era. And "Barracuda" has lost none of its bite, pardon the pun, but rather gained extra fangs with the guitarwork. This is a case where the words "Bite me" are meant in a good way. And one of my all-time favourites, "Dog & Butterfly" is done live yet again, losing none of its flavour.

The 80's/90's songs number only three, being their two #1's, "These Dreams", "Alone", and the rocking "Wild Child" from Brigade, which proves how they've returned to their rock and blues roots.

The new songs it proves they still have extra mileage. "Heaven" has an ethereal Middle Eastern/Indian psychedelic feel to it combined with their late 70's song. "Sister Wild Rose" and "Two Faces Of Eve" is a return to rock a la Brigade, although it could fit on Private Audition. "Break The Rock" has a Bon Jovi-ish chorus and its inclusion on Desire Walks On could've helped. And I see they've returned with their old collaborator Sue Ennis for those songs, so yes, the magic of the old days is back.

And then the covers. Having done Elton John's "Seasons" on The Road Home, Nancy sings "Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters", making it a nice acoustic number that's a highlight. Ann really belts out Led Zep's "Black Dog," not only showing she has vocal power to carry out a classic tune, but also in giving tribute to one of their biggest influences. And the lead guitars really match Zeppelins' to boot. Out pops the little old man, the little old mandolin, and Ann casually asks "Led Zeppelin?" and they play "The Battle Of Evermore", which they first did as the Lovemongers on the Singles soundtrack.

A new album and tour is promised before the encore, which is "Dreamboat Annie (Reprise)" which is done in the uptempo version, merely called "Dreamboat Annie," but incorporating the lush flute solo of the "Reprise" version.

Though the Wilsons are the only original members in this incarnation of Heart, the band is superior in realizing songs that were done during the Fischer/Derosier days or the Leese/Andes/Carmassi days.

Can't wait for the new album, and this double-disk live album is a welcome stopgap for that. One of the most welcome comebacks of 2003 and best albums for this year.

The girls seem to be having a great time in Seattle, and Mistrial Wind blew my cowboy boots off, along with the Zep and Elton covers. Does it get better than this? Maybe, but I love the DVD everytime I watch it, and love the CD everytime I hit the mountains in my auto. Viva La Heart.

You'd think there would be some vocal drop-off after performing for so long, but Annie sounds great on this cd throughout. She's hitting all of the notes, and I don't mean the engineer is helping her hit the notes. This is just as good as any of their GH packages, and you can tell the sisters are having fun the whole time, the oldies are not being sung against their will. I highly recommend this release if you'd like to hear Heart at their best, age has not diminished them in the least.

This is a great CD. A great live CD that some people obviously didn't get. Lacluster performances?. Sorry, no. They haven't played like this in years. Quite literally. This is the first time they have been the rock 'n' roll Heart in concert in a while. Some people complain that it sounds like it could of come out of the 70's. That's kinda the point people. This is supposed to be more of the Heart from the '70's, instead of the glossy glam pop of the 80's. Poor song selection?. What do you want them to play?. Nothing?. They hit on most of their classic hits and ones that were missing weren't much to of been included anyways. Some people have no idea about what this was supposed to be. Anyways, A great CD!. Shows that the girls still have it.

So Ann can't hit all the high notes...she sounds just fine to the REAL Heart fans...if you don't like it, don't buy it. The band is in top form and to this listeners ears, nothing wrong with Ann's vocals...she can still send chills down my spine the just one note. I only hope they make a tour stop near me, cuz i'll be first in line. Keep up the good work.

Not only doing their smash classics,but the classic standards of Led Zep and Elton John to boot.Robert Plant could not have had a better female compliment than Annie Wilson covering his 'Battle' and 'Black Dog'.Also many of their newer best tunes performed.The Wilson Sisters shine up their old gems and make them sparkle brillantly.Their Seattle show was almost flawless,95% perfect.This is a great live double cd recording,of one of the best classic rock bands still rocking.Don't miss this awesome show!

This is a great live album for Heart fans as well anyone else who knows little about them (all two of you!). Ann Wilson's singing is as incredible as it's ever been, and yes, she still has those great high notes that send shivers up the spine. The sisters rock! There are great versions of old chestnuts like "Barracuda," "These Dreams," (Nancy's vocals are as pristine as ever), "Alone," and "Wild Child," and new songs like "Break the Rock," and "Two Faces of Eve," are as good, making for new Heart classics, fitting seamlessly in the set.
This is a high energy concert with absolutely no filler. My only very small negative is their ending with a soft and short "Dreamboat Annie." While it is a great song, it might have been better served earlier on in the concert saving one of their higher energy songs for the encore. Doesn't matter, though. The album is performed and recorded brilliantly and Heart deserves to be recognized for it.

Having been a Heart fan since the beginning, I have been disappointed in their absence from the music scene in recent years. Last year while net surfing I saw that they were having a short concert tour. One stop was Las Vegas. My wife and I drove to Las Vegas to see them perform at the outdoor beach venue of Mandalay Bay. Wow!! Excellent concert, and they still rock as they did in the late '70s when I last saw them. I have been waiting for the CD or DVD to come out. As I am now stationed in Iraq, it took a while for the CD to get to me, but it was well worth the wait. I can highly recommend this CD.