Search - Heart :: Alive in Seattle

Bobby T. (boogaloobob) from OCEANSIDE, CA
Reviewed on 2/26/2011...

Live recordings give the feel that you are there. The performances
are great with great audience in background. Not a bad song in the
bunch.

This ' Heart ' Is Still Beating

Barry | 06/18/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ann and Nancy Wilson, the sister duo who were one of the biggest rock acts of the 70's, and one of the biggest pop/rock acts of the 80's, are back and better than ever. It seems that time away from Heart was a good thing for the sisters. The group has pretty much off the radar since the mid 90's, while the two ventured out onto their own projects. Heart is firing up again and this 2-disc live set shows that this Heart beats just as fast as it always has. Maybe even more. This concert, which is also available on DVD, was recorded in their hometown of Seattle, Washington on August 8, 2002. It was the final show of their summer love tour. How fitting to end it in their hometown, which is like a second home to me as well since it is close and I have been there a million times. The CD opens on a lively, energetic version of their first classic hit, "Crazy On You". After the classic opening, the sisters unleash a brand new song called "Sister Wild Rose". It's a sparkling, kicked up rocker that has a very old school sound to it. It then goes into a cover tune of "The Witch", from the group The Sonics. I had never heard that song before. It's a simple, up tempo track. One of the best performances of the concert comes with the kickin' performance of "Straight On". This has always been a great tune, and it sounds fantastic. After the lively first few numbers, it settles into a more tamer show with "These Dreams", done in a differnt, more accoustic manner. It's a lovely re-working if their 1985 classic, and it sounds great. They do the same with the 1987 gem, "Alone". It really works well done in that treatment, and it features a beautiful vocal from Ann. What else is new?. "Dog And Butterfly" is expertly done. That has always been a favorite. They do a cover of Elton John's 1972 song, "Mona Lisa's And Matters". It's a lovely tune, and they thought it fit perfectly with the summer of love tour. Disc one ends with a Led Zeppelin cover, "The Battle Of Evermore". If anyone con do Led Zeppelin, it is Ann Wilson. She did their hits "Rock And Roll" in 1980, and also does "Black Dog" on this CD. It's brilliant. Disc 2 starts off with another new song called "Heaven". It's a lengthy, mid-tempo song. It is good, but it's the least of their 4 new songs here. After this new entry, it really kicks into high gear with a pulse pounding rendition of "Magic Man". The song never sounded so rockin', and Ann is just stunning on vocals. "Two Faces Of Eve" is another new song, and it is one of the better ones of the 4. Up-tempo and fun. They then do the sweet, "Love Alive". This is a great song and it turns more up-tempo in the middle, and it is wonderful. The 4th and final new song is called "Break The Rock". This is the best of the 4. It's an old fashioned Heart rock and roll song, and it comes off very, very nicely. I hope it is on the new studio album. "Barracuda". One of the greatest rock songs. It is always one of the best songs done live, and this one doesn't disappoint at all. They kick it up some more with "Wild Child", off of their 1990 album, "Brigade". This is a fun, up tempo rocker that definitley fits in with the mood and style of music they are doing here. The disc ends with the gorgeous and beautiful ballad, "Dreamboat Annie". The title track off of their debut album, back in 1976. This is a marvelous live CD from the two women. It's energetic, fresh, fun, and the sound quality is incredibly fantastic. There's even more talk on this one than on other live CD's I have heard of late. I always like a little talking. Ann's voice is a wondrous thing. So powerful, so strong, so beautiful. She could knock the socks off the newer female singers. None of them can beat her. Nancy Wilson has proven to be a kick butt guitar player. Her playing is strong, passionate, and as solid as you can get. Most of the 80's and 90's material is ignored, which isn't a surprise since it seems that they are going back to their roots, and those songs don't fit there. The 80's and 90's were a big part of their history, so it would of been nice for a more well rounded collection. It also would of been nice if their had been a couple more classic tunes on here, and not just covers and new material. "Kick It Out", "Even It Up", "Heartless", and even "What About Love", would of been very welcomed. The covers were great, and the new songs are great, but one of preferred some more classics. That is the only gripe here. Heart is back in a big way. They may have taken time off for a while, but they never lost their touch or sound, or their special gift of talent. It is all right here on this CD. You gotta have Heart."

Heart Still Sounds Great After All These Years!

highway_star | Hallandale, Florida United States | 07/31/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Recorded in Seattle, during the last show of their 2002 Summer Of Love Tour, sisters Ann (Lead vocals) and Nancy Wilson (vocals & guitar)and company put on one great show. New memebers of the group include Scott Olson on guitar (longtime guitarist Howard Leese is no longer with the band), Mike Inez on bass guitar, Ben Smith on drums and Tom Kellock on keyboards. Heart performs some of their classics such as "Crazy On You", "Magic Man", "Dreamboat Annie", "Barracuda", "Straight On", "Dog & Butterfly",etc. and later songs such as "These Dreams" and "Alone". They also do quite a few covers as well. Led Zeppelin is represented here with "Black Dog" and "The Battle Of Evermore", Elton John with "Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters" and The Sonics with "The Witch". Heart also performs three new songs such as "Sister Wild Rose", "Heaven" and "Break The Rock" (all of which could have come from one their 70's albums). Heart still sounds great after all these years (27+) and after hearing this "live" 2-cd set I'm sure you'd agree. Of note, these cd's are designed to be used in both cd-compatible as well as super audio cd players. If you enjoy listening to seventies rock then this cd would make a nice addition to anyone's collection. Recommended!"