Heart's Ann Wilson revels in 'Fierce Bliss'

Ann Wilson's third full-length solo album Fierce Bliss, slated for April 29 through Silver Lining Music, features covers of Queen’s “Love of My Life” and Robin Trower’s “Bridge of Sighs.”

The Heart vocalist says of the remakes: 

“I had the idea for the Queen song “Love of My Life” as a duet, so I just tried to picture who would be ‘the male angel’ that would sing the other part of it? I thought how great the song would be if it was stripped down and just sung with soul, and it had to be Vince Gill because he’s got that voice, that soul. “Bridge of Sighs” in my opinion is the best blues song ever written. That’s really saying something because it’s the vastness of the blues world, but this song is about true existential dread. It isn’t just you’re hurt because you lost your boyfriend or girlfriend, you’re on the edge of the abyss. I like stuff that goes all the way, I’m one of these people that halfway is not good enough. So with Kenny Wayne Shepherd, one of the coolest monster guitar players around, it just made so much sense, and he tore it up. One of the most rewarding things for me as a singer, to not be hurried. The best singers are the ones who can sing ballads and really make it work, because you don’t have to be a genius to be a rock shouter or sing rock songs. But that ballad, where it’s slowed down or stopped and you’re center stage with the spotlight? Every little nuance is important, and I think that’s what “Bridge of Sighs” was for me.”

Special guests on the album include Vince Gill, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Warren Haynes of Government Mule. 

The album artwork is by artist Roger Dean, who aside from his work in fantasy art is also renowned for his Yes sleeve artwork. “When I came up with the title Fierce Bliss, something in my soul just started thinking about those Yes covers like Tales From Topographic Oceans, and I just thought that would be perfect. We found him and I think you can tell from the look of the work it’s done with joy.”

Wilson is hitting the road with her new band. 

“Tom Bukovac on guitar, Tony Lucido on bass, Sean T. Lane on drums, and Paul Moak on keyboards/other guitar/mandolin, are the guys that’ll be out with me on tour, and we’re doing a mix of stuff from Fierce Bliss, a few other songs we like, and there will be Heart songs too. It’s going to be a proper evening, not real flashy and splashy, but with musicianship on this level, believe me it is going to be quite amazing.”

Track listing:

1. Greed
2. Black Wing
3. Bridge of Sighs
4. Fighten for Life
5. Love of My Life (feat. Vince Gill)
6. Missionary Man
7. Gladiator
8. Forget Her
9. A Moment in Heaven
10. Angel’s Blues*
11. As the World Turns

*Available on CD and digital formats only

Tour dates: 

5/4 San Francisco, CA Great American
5/5 Napa, CA The Uptown Theatre
5/7 Pala, CA Pala Casino
5/9 Los Angeles, CA El Rey Theatre
5/10 Los Angeles, CA El Rey Theatre
5/13 Toronto, ONT. Scotiabank Arena (with Journey)
5/16 Quebec City, QUE. Videotron Centre (with Journey)
6/11 Peachtree City, GA Fred Amphitheater
6/13 Nashville, TN Basement East
6/14 Nashville, TN Basement East
6/16 Tampa, FL Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa
6/17 Ft. Lauderdale, FL The Parker
7/30 Floyd, VA FloydFest22 Heartbeat