Heart Covers Stairway To Heaven

Asked myself to what level would it be good for a certain musician or a band to cover "Stairway To Heaven" by Led Zeppelin? I have seen live many artists playing the song and heard the song by different musicians, pros as well as amateur, but no one put it like the way Heart did at the Kennedy Center Honors on December, 2nd - broadcast two days ago on CBS television channel.

This event is an annual ceremony to recognize celebrities in the United States and honor them for their contribution to the culture and art. Honorees this year included actor Dustin Hoffmann, late night host David Letterman, Russian Natalia Makarova, music legend Buddy Guy, and the three surviving members of Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones.

In addition to Ann and Nancy Wilson, drummer Jason Bonham joined and played the song on stage, accompanied by a big number of musicians on strings and horns sections, as well as vocal choir.
 
It was fantastic performance, Ann's singing was wondrous from the first beginning of the song. You can see a big smile on the faces of Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Johns while they were watching the performance. nodding with approval to what they were seeing. It was a sensational and an emotional. The way they arranged the song was like adding a religious touch to it. It was so good that It was so good that t almost brought Robert Planet into tears. 

Heart - Fanatic

The queens of rock are back with a new album. Sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson new record is called Frantic, and it has a number of fine golden songs. 

I wasn't impressed with the title song when I saw the video on youtube, but I liked it after a couple of listens. However, I still feel that the climax picks up from "Old Dear America".  Side note, great choice to merge strings on some of the songs, I think most of them had an orchestration composition into them.

Million Miles is one of my favorites. I listened to the song a number of times, it is one of my most favorite songs on the album. Did I say that? 

I can't make out describing the 59 Crunch. A short song that is between a typical Grunge and Indie rock (if we are going to separate the two into two different genres).

The music takes another turn on Cordury Road.  Mid tempo a bit dark melody with heavy strings arrangements. Am I hearing 3/4 note used in the melody?!

Beautiful Broken is another favorite of mine. Just punch in the face type of rock song. 

Another favorite of mine from this fanatical perfect album is Two Silver Rings. The song had its own atmosphere. Sadly, the album ends with the Zingara, with percussions and acoustic guitars going blues style in a way, with strings from second part of the song to compliment the overall melody.

Another side note: I don't understand why they didn't include the other two songs "Two Silver Rings" and "Zingara" into the official album! The latter

The album is coinciding with the release of an autobiography, hence Heart fans (like me) are getting a double treat.

All in all, Heart took us a trip around musical cultures around the world, in my opinion, but with their own terms.

Ann and Nancy Wilson still deserve the title of queens of rock. No doubt about it, especially with such a vibrant album.

What makes this album better than previous one, Red Velvet Car, are the obvious power and energy that I missed in previous one. In addition, the Wilson sisters ability of writing diverse and colorful songs. No doubt about it.


Song Listing
01    Fanatic
02    Dear Old America           
03    Walkin' Good           
04    Skin and Bones           
05    Million Miles           
06    Pennsylvania           
07    Mashallah!           
08    Rock Deep (Vancouver)           
09    59 Crunch           
10    Corduroy Road

Deep Purple, Rush and Heart For Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

 

 

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced a list of nominees to be inducted as part of the 2013 class.

Rush and Heart expressed their excitement and thrill with the news through their Facebook pages,

Previously, Rush guitarist, Alex Lifeson said during an interview with Guitar World magazine that he "really don’t feel the need to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame because, at the end of the day, it’s just somebody’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame".

For Heart, I think this news is a boost to their already fame status, because this news coincide with the release of their new album "Fanatic", also with the release of of their autobiography book entitled "Kicking and Dreaming: A Story of Heart, Soul, and Rock and Roll".

Fans can vite for their favorite band n the rock and roll hall of fame website here