Ann Wilson (Photo: Kimberly Adamis; used with permission)
During the winter and spring, Ann Wilson of Heart has been updating her fans with news of her upcoming album, Immortal. Today (May 31), she offered even more specifics of that album which pays homage to some of the singer’s favorite songs and artists, all of whom have passed away in recent years. One of rock’s most distinctive and powerful vocalists, will release the solo album on Sept. 14 on BMG, marking her debut for the label. (See the full track listing below.)
WIlson has teamed with original Heart producer Mike Flicker (Dreamboat Annie, Magazine, Little Queen, Dog and Butterfly and Bebe Le Strange, among others). The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee will 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,” which begins July 18. The songs will also be featured in her 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.
Related: We asked Wilson, Beck and Rodgers who they regretted never collaborating with
Wilson 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,” she explained in the announcement. “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.”
Songs include covers of Glenn Frey (Eagles “Life in the Fast Lane”), Leonard Cohen (“A Thousand Kisses Deep”), Amy Winehouse (“Back to Black”), David Bowie (“I’m Afraid of Americans”) and Tom Petty (“Luna”).
Of “Life in the Fast Lane,” she says: “I’ve always liked this song because it tells a great story. I’ve taken it out of the old ’70s feel and put it into a more tribal feel… and tell the story my way. I had the thrill of seeing the Eagles when we were first putting Heart together. I was so blown away; I couldn’t believe how amazing they were. They were great players, great singers… the songs were great.”
Watch Wilson sing “Life in the Fast Lane” in April
Wilson says the criteria for choosing these 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!”
Immortal includes special guests Jeff Beck, Warren Haynes and Ben Mink. The album is not yet available for pre-order.
She addressed why she collaborated with Flicker on the album. “Mike was the first producer to believe in me. 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. He has fearlessly helped me bring my ideas to life once again and it’s been a great collaboration.”
Immortal Track Listing
“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)
Ann Wilson Headlining Dates (Tickets are available here and here)
Jul 06 – Snoqualmie, WA – Snoqualmie Casino
Jul 07 – Bremerton, WA – Admiral Theatre
Jul 09 – Salem, OR – Elsinore Theatre
Jul 11 – Jacksonville, OR – Britt Pavilion
Jul 12 – Lemoore, CA – Tachi Palace
Jul 14 – Albuquerque, NM – Route 66 Casino
Jul 15 – Aspen, CO – Belly Up
Sep 21 – Lincoln, CA – Thunder Valley Casino (with Cheap Trick)
Stars Align Tour Dates
Jul 18 – West Valley City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre
Jul 20 – Los Angeles, CA – Five Point Amphitheatre
Jul 22 – Chula Vista, CA – Mattress Firm Amphitheatre
Jul 24 – Houston, TX – Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land
Jul 25 – Dallas, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
Jul 28 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Jul 29 – Chicago, IL – Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
Jul 31 – Clarkston, MI -DTE Energy Music Theatre
Aug 01 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
Aug 03 – Boston, MA – Blue Hills Bank Pavilion
Aug 04 – Camden, NJ – BB&T Pavilion
Aug 07 – Lewiston, NY – Art Park (Jeff Beck, Ann Wilson)
Aug 08 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
Aug 10 – Indianapolis, IN – Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center
Aug 11 – Pittsburgh, PA – Heinz Hall (Jeff Beck, Ann Wilson)
Aug 12 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
Aug 14 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
Aug 17 – Nashville, TN – Nashville Municipal Auditorium
Aug 19 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
Aug 20 – Vienna, VA – Wolftrap (Jeff Beck, Ann Wilson)
Aug 22 – Atlanta, GA – Chastain Park Amphitheatre
Aug 23 – Jacksonville, FL – Daily’s Place
Aug 25 – West Palm Beach, FL – Coral Sky Amphitheatre
Aug 26 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
Related: Listings for 100s of classic rock tours
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