Post by jptheprofessor on Oct 12, 2007 9:39:03 GMT -5
ANN WILSON - HOPE & GLORY (Zoë Records) With Heart in the midst of down time between albums and touring, Ann Wilson takes the opportunity to issue her first solo album, Hope & Glory. Rather than doing an album of her own material, though, Wilson does a cover song album, offering only one of her own creations, the closing acoustic-geared number "Little Problems, Little Lies." In addition, Hope & Glory is largely a duets album, with Wilson pairing with several names from the rock, country and folk worlds. In the album's liner notes, Ann explains that she picked songs that are close to her soul, including her longtime favorites and more recent songs that have impacted her. Much of the song material deals with war and troubled times, including the album-opening spin on Pink Floyd's "Goodbye Blue Sky," one of three songs featuring sister Nancy Wilson. Ann pairs with Sir Elton John on the latter's "Where to Now St. Peter," and tackles a Bob Dylan anti-war song, "A Hard Rain's A Gonna Fall," with guests Shawn Colvin and Rufus Wainright. Several of country music's leading women help Ann on much of the remainder of the album; including K.D. Lang on Lucinda Williams' "Jackson," Wynonna on "We Gotta Get Out of this Place," Gretchen Wilson on Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Bad Moon Rising," Alison Krauss on Neil Young's "War of Man," and Deana Carter (with Wynonna and sister Nancy) on the Youngbloods' "Get Together." Ann pays homage to Led Zeppelin's influence with her update of "Immigrant Song," and also offers her own slant on another Youngbloods song recently covered by Robert Plant, "Darkness Darkness." Ann's voice is strong and clear through it all, and she sings this material with her usual authority. The various guests all represent well, and add flavor and depth to the album. Ultimately, though, some of Ann's interpretations work better than others; and her stripped-down, acoustic- and Americana-flavored renditions are more effective than her modern rock-geared takes, which tend to sound over-produced and cluttered. While Hope & Glory is listenable, it is inconsistent, and the listener mileage will vary depending on individual tolerance of Ann's interpretations on time-tested classics. This album reveals some of Ann Wilson's soul and inspiration; but her renditions won't eclipse the original versions. For diehard Wilson and Heart fans only.