Customer Reviews

Hope & Glory

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Having an advance copy of this CD gave me the opportunity to give it a good listen. For over two weeks this CD has not been out of my player in the car. When I first saw the song list I thought, Oh God not another CD of remakes of the classic rock songs that shined in the 70's. WAS I EVER WRONG!

Ann shines brightly as if we went from 1979 to 2007 jumping right past the 80's and 90's. The track I can't get enough of is the Led Zeppelin classic "Immigrant Song ", with it's haunting sounds and classic harmony this is a killer track. Robert Plant should be proud of this version. Another surprise was the duet with Elton John on "Where To Now St. Peter?". Elton may not be in top form when singing solo but when harmonizing with Ann and having the Paul Buckmaster feel of the classic Elton songs this has become my favorite second song. Next is Pink Floyd's classic "Goodbye Blue Sky" simply perfect for Ann to recreate.

Some of the other choices to remake are not ones I would have chosen, but hear me out. She put a fresh new feel on every track. Even the Creedence Clearwater track "Bad Moon Rising" was reformatted to be only for Ann. I never thought I cold love this song by anyone else, WRONG AGAIN!

Now, who would have thought Ann would go country, well that also works. Thanks to Wynonna, who is a rocker at heart, and kd lang, Ann may get airplay on country music radio. Even teams of Robert Plant and Alison Krauss are on the horizon next month for country radio. Although I'm not expecting much with that duet.

Unfortunatly these days there's no place on FM radio for this great soon to be classic music. I think you will only find this played on XM and Sirius radios.

I am Crazy on Ann! Don't pass on this CD if you remember how great those classic Heart songs are. This will bring you back to the days when music really meant something.

What are you waiting for add it to your cart now!
Enjoy.

I've been a Heart fan since 'Magazine' and 'Dreamboat Annie' and have loved Ann and Nancy since I was a kid. My friend, Scott, gave me a sneak preview of some of the songs on Ann's new record and I can tell you, it's been a long time since I got goosebumps from a record. I was so touched and moved by the richness of Ann's voice and her unique interpretations of these obviously carefully selected tunes; hearing her again was like hearing her for the first time - thrilling! I was so excited to once again listen to great harmonies, REAL music, REAL talent. America has reached a new cultural low with the recent VMA/MTV awards show; Ann's record is the perfect antidote and really reflects her versatility. She has restored my faith in good music once again. I was particularly excited to hear her cover of John Lennon's 'Isolation' - one of my favorite solo Lennon songs. Though 'St. Peter' really moved me with its haunting cadences... oh, Annie! More! Please, more!! It's so wonderful that she has released this new album of her favorite covers and I look forward to more more more!!! And especially more of her own music with Nancy.

Most hard core Heart fans have waited a very long time for Ann Wilson to release a solo album. It was surprising to us that Nancy actually released hers first. Now, the wait is over and Hope & Glory is available to everyone.

Do not let the names of the guests on this album fool you. Ignore the fact that Nancy Wilson appears on three of the twelve tracks (25% of the album as one reviewer pointed out). This is indeed an Ann Wilson solo album. There is never a doubt on any of these songs who the star is here.

If you are one of those fans who loves when Heart does originals, your knee-jerk-reaction might be to dismiss this album since only 1 song is an original. Do not make that mistake. If you do, you will miss out on perhaps the best recorded studio performance Ann Wilson has ever given. Ben Mink does an excellent job producing Ann and the album showcases Ann's voice with its various facets in a way no Heart album ever has.

If I had to categorize this album into a specific genre - I wouldn't even know where to begin. I guess Americana is the new in word for this eclectic mix of musical styles. It is nothing like you've ever heard Ann do before.

Highlights are Jackson, Darkness Darkness, and War of Man. But no song is done as masterfully as Isolation.

In 1999 when Ann and Nancy toured with their acoustic show, they covered Mother by John Lennon. To this day, I remember the chills I got hearing Ann sing a song that was so emotionally personal for John. It was as if she channeled John that night. I love that this Beatles fan that gravitated more towards Paul McCartney seems to embrace the John Lennon songs first.

Most of the songs John Lennon wrote for his first effort post Beatles were immensely personal. When I first heard Ann was going to cover Isolation, I was excited about it. She did such an amazing job with Mother, I was sure she would do Isolation justice as well. When I finally got to hear Isolation, I was not disappointed. Ann's version stands on its own merits. Isolation is such a perfect fit for Ann's voice. Hearing that it only took one take to get what's actually on the album, only heightened my appreciation of Ann's version. It is a perfect vehicle to showcase all the facets of Ann's voice. No doubt, John Lennon would be proud.

Ann selected most of these songs to make a statement about the times in which we live and how we, as a country keep repeating the same mistakes. She said she wanted to do it in a way that doesn't cram the message down your throat. Ann should be happy to know that she's accomplished that.

Ann's solo album is finally here and it was well worth the wait. And for most Ann Wilson fans who say they'd be happy to hear Ann sing the phone book, you will be glad to know that she's giving you much more than that on this album. She's giving you her soul. And a beautiful soul it is.

Ann Wilson's new CD, Hope and Glory, was released on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - a perfect date. Ann proves that hope and glory are not just words for a great title; with this CD she proves that music is one of the most important healers our nation has.

Wilson, along with noted producer Ben Mink and Zoe/Rounder Records, collaborated with the works of Pink Floyd, Elton John, Lucinda Williams, the Animals, Led Zeppelin, the Youngbloods, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Neil Young, John Lennon and Bob Dylan to give us a CD that is not "just" a cover album, but instead is a story told in musical form with the best of storytellers. Ann takes the lyrics of songs that talk about the darkest of days, sunrises of war, unsettled faith, bad endings as well as new beginnings, and gives them a new place in our musical history.

What does music have to do with history? It has everything to do with it. Music and songs can envelope a moment and/or event and immortalize it for us. On this project, Ann vocally partners with her sister, Nancy Wilson, as well as Elton John, k.d. lang, Wynonna, Gretchen Wilson, Alison Krauss, Deana Carter, Rufus Wainwright and Shawn Colvin. Together, they have turned the lyrics of songs from the past - already immortalizing moments for many of us - into a message of hope and glory for the present and future.

Hope and Glory is now the alpha and omega of my music collection. And don't you dare file this away under classic rock! Yes, these songs maybe be classic, but Ann has brought them into this millennium quite nicely. And she had fun; in fact, she had a blast. You can tell by listening that she ran through a gamut of emotions while working her way down the 12-track list. Isn't that what being an artist is about, to use your art as an outlet for your emotions and for fun? And, isn't that what life is about, isn't that we are looking for - to be creative, to be industrious and to have fun?

Since I first saw Heart on the Deamboat Annie tour, I have been heart and soul a great fan of the incredible Ms. Wilson, who not only is a fine vocalist and songwriter, with two of the finest albums of the "Album Rock" era, (Dreamboat, and Little Queen) as well as one of the only great albums in the "Album Rock style since that era in "Jupiter's Darling ", but over the years has proven to be one of the finest cover artist as well, which might seem to be a left handed compliment, but if youv'e ever seen her pull off Moody Blues, Zeplin, or even Rolling Stones, you know from where I speak.
Here, with a few less than perfect selections, for me (I personally don't get the Rufus Wainwright collaborations at all) this is still an overall 5 Star, album because of the stunning successes of some of the other songs, (I liked the Immigrant song better than the original).
Because I adore Ms. Wilson, I chose to view the song selection as a general statement that war is bad, and reason is good, and not an anti-American diatribe, like one could. Overall, the message is good, if taken in that light, and I am able to thoroughly enjoy this CD.
And by the way, since I didn't want to wait, I went to Borders to get is the day it was released, and paid almost double from the Amazon price... That will teach me.

Ann Wilson is one of the premiere female rock stars of our time, and on this collection she proves that point. Her soaring vocals make this album a must for any Heart fan, correction for any music fan period!

I grew up listening to Heart and Patti Smith, and despite their different styles each had in common intellect, authenticity (meaning that their songs seemed to be who they are instead of just showing off what they could do), and the hard sound I craved but felt alienated from in the dude-oriented hard rock of the time.

Heart lost me a little during the arena rock bombast time of the 1980s but I never stopped loving Ann Wilson's voice.

Play this. Sample the CD. This music will make you happy to be alive just because it is a great expression of personal honesty. People reaching out in an attemtp to connect in perilous times. Ann Wilson is timeless and classic, and I wish that those who, for example, think Immigrant Song suffers in comparison with the original could get the same fresh sense of it form Ann Wislon that I do.

I just played this for the first time, and it is going right back on repeat.

I love Heart...I have for 31 years now. I'll never forget hearing "Magic Man" for the very first time on the radio. I was 14 years old in 1976. I was getting ready for school that morning and I had to sit down on the bed for a few minutes to digest this angelic sound coming from the cheap plastic Sears stereo speakers. I waited for the morning DJ to say the name of the group. It was Heart and he mentioned as well, sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson from Vancouver (as we all know now, it's SEATTLE!) I was an automatic fan! I have every album/cd/you name the bootlegs, I have them. Sure, there's been some songs I'm not too found of, like 3 maybe. 60+ concerts attended over the years and I still want more!

What a treat to finally hear Ann's solo disc! She has alot to say with the selection of songs. She brings home what is going on in the world right now by covering other artists songs. Some are a bit bent out of shape by Ann not recording her own material. You don't need to write your own to express what is on you mind. Hope & Glory's songs paint a vivid picture of the landscape of the world through Ann's eyes and her music. We might not all see what she is saying, but it's there. Look deep and follow that voice. She will lead you to an understanding.

I can't take this disc out of my car cd player and it's getting heavy play in my iTunes and iPod. Treat yourself today and buy this album.

The Goddess of Rock is Ann Wilson! Hope & Glory reigns!

In 1976 I attended my first Heart Concert at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle. I remember thinking that Ann's vocals were even more incredible live than on the recording - her artistry and power touched me body and soul. Throughout her career with Heart, she has impressed me - no matter the material, the imprint of her unique style has been on each song. Like so many who have followed her career, I have always hoped she would record a solo album. After all these years, that solo album has arrived in Hope and Glory. As a singer/songwriter and musician I am impressed with this effort. Ann is in top form, her choice of material timely, and collaboration brilliant. Ben Mink brings truely thoughtful production and musicianship to each song - the suble (and not so subtle) nuances are many. To really appreciate how good this album is, you have to plug in the headphones and listen to what's going on in the background - all of Ann's trademark vocal rifts are there - quietly (or in some cases not so quietly), adding to the songs' main statements (Imigrant Song, Goodbye Blue Sky are two examples). Criticism of her vocals in the upper register are misplaced - she knows what she's doing - when she wants a growl, she growls. When she want's clarity with an edge, she gets it (final background vocal rift on Darkness, Darkness is an example). When she wants beauty and sweetness she gets it - the eternal hippy anthem, Come Together is a good example - this song can touch your heart ("You can make the mountains ring or make the angels cry.."). And speaking of paintings, the Dylan cover, A Hard Rains Gonna Fall, is like a series of paintings that become more vivid with each verse - the choice of Shawn Colvin and Rufus Wainright as vocal collaborators (or painters) is brilliant - Ann's voice pulls it all together on this one, and I like her subtle nod to Dylan's vocal style. War of Man is also a winner - such an amazing song, such amazing performances. The criticism of Ann's choice of covers and guest artists is baffleing to me - this is how great artists have created great musical products forever - and when did collaboration become unpopular - I think if you read between the lines of the critisim of this album, you will find the negativity, lethargy, and divisiveness that Ms. Wilson addresses and attempts to counter balance with Hope and Glory. Riveting!!! Congratulations Ann and Ben - keep up the great work - it is inspiring.

I have been a heart fan for many many years and this is some of Ann Wilson's best work. It has to be one of the best CD's this year. Not a bad song on it.