Ann Wilson of Heart, one of rock's most distinctive and powerful vocalists, will release her new solo album September 14 on BMG, marking her debut for the label. Fittingly titled Immortal, the album features ten musically diverse tracks that pay homage to some of the singer's favorite songs and artists, all of whom have passed away in recent years and whose music poignantly lives on (the full track listing is below).
For the new release, Ann has teamed with original Heart producer Mike Flicker (Dreamboat Annie, Magazine, Little Queen, Dog and Butterfly and Bebe Le Strange, among others). Look for the iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee to perform some of the album's songs when she tours North America this summer with Jeff Beck and Paul Rodgers for the "Stars Align Tour" (see below for full upcoming tour itinerary). The songs will also be featured in Ann's first-ever solo television special (details TBA), taped this past April at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, IL, to coincide with the album's release.
Ann chose the album title Immortal after revealing some working titles early on in the project. "The original working titles evolved as the concept for the album evolved; a little bit at a time," explains Ann. "As my understanding of what I had undertaken grew and clarified, I realized a larger truth; that the souls may have departed but the songs will forever be their resonances. These are the poets of our time and their expressions must be handed down. Poetry is lasting and elemental like carvings in rock."
The finely etched tracks that comprise Immortal cover a lot of musical ground, with many highlights including songs by Leonard Cohen ("A Thousand Kisses Deep"), Amy Winehouse ("Back to Black"), David Bowie ("I'm Afraid of Americans"), Lesley Gore ("You Don't Own Me") and Tom Petty ("Luna"). Ann says the criteria for choosing this collection of songs was easy. "First of all, I had to LOVE them! They had to be songs I could get inside of authentically as a singer. Lyrics are important to me, but the most important thing is always the marriage of words and melody that makes the song magic!"
With sexism at the forefront of the national conversation, Ann says this did factor into the inclusion of "You Don't Own Me." "'You Don't Own Me' was originally an early feminist anthem in the 1960's and '70's. Since then the idea of self-possession has grown to be more universal...This song is about refusing to be objectified and owned. By anyone."
Immortal includes some very special guests as well. "Warren Haynes plays on Tom Petty's 'Luna' and 'You Don't Own Me,'" Ann reveals. "Ben Mink is featured on Leonard Cohen's 'A Thousand Kisses Deep' and Amy Winehouse's 'Back to Black.' They are both musicians and great people whom I admire. It's always a pleasure and an honor to work with them. Their souls shine through on these songs!"
Producer Mike Flicker brings an important element to Immortal. "Mike was the first producer to believe in me," Ann says. "He was my first teacher in the studio and knows how to provide that special support needed to bring out my soul in the recording process. It is exciting to work with him for the first time since 1980. I have traveled many, many miles since then but the old feeling is still there and fresh on Immortal. He has fearlessly helped me bring my ideas to life once again, and it's been a great collaboration."
Immortal tracklisting:
- "A Different Corner" (George Michael)
- "A Thousand Kisses Deep" (Leonard Cohen)
- "Back to Black" (Amy Winehouse)
- "Baker Street" (Gerry Rafferty)
- "I Am the Highway" (Chris Cornell, Audioslave)
- "I'm Afraid of Americans" (David Bowie)
- "Life in the Fast Lane" (Joe Walsh, The Eagles) in honor of Glenn Frey
- "Luna" (Tom Petty)
- "Politician" (Cream) in honor of Jack Bruce
- "You Don't Own Me" (Lesley Gore)
The "Stars Align Tour" with Jeff Beck and Paul Rodgers kicks off July 18 in West Valley City, Utah, and makes stops in over 20 cities across the U.S. and Canada including Dallas, St. Louis, Chicago, Toronto, and Nashville, before wrapping August 26 in Tampa. Also, Ann has a handful of headlining dates coming up this summer.
Tour dates are as follows:
