Heart re-releases whet appetite for tour
Keep an eye out for three re-releases from the rock band Heart as the Wilson sisters and company prepare for their upcoming U.S. tour.
The summer tour includes a July 23 stop at the Zoo Amphitheatre in Oklahoma City. Journey and Cheap Trick also will play at the OKC show.
On May 13, Epic/Legacy will release a Heart two-for-one set that combines their landmark hit albums “Little Queen” (1977) and “Dog & Butterfly” (1979) into a single, eco-friendly package. The twofer is part of the debut of the X2 series, according to a news release.
The Heart X2 set includes five bonus tracks, including a live recording of Heart performing Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway To Heaven.” Heart is one of the only bands I’ve ever heard that can successfully and satisfyingly cover Zeppelin, so that’s definitely a bonus worth having.
Also, Epic/Legacy will release a Heart title as part of its Playlist series. The series bundles 14 of a group’s best songs - all re-mastered and mp3 ready - into an eco-friendly digi-pak that includes computer-accessible pdf files with liner note essays, discography information, photos and bonus features.
June 3 will mark the re-release of the 2004 album “Jupiter’s Darling,” Heart’s most recent studio recording.
According to the news release, 2008 has been a particularly good year for Heart. I didn’t like that the Wilson sisters had to have Fergie along for the ride to get a shot at playing on the “Idol Gives Back” charity extravaganza. But it certainly worked out for them: After performing “Barracuda” with Fergie on the “American Idol” special, the band saw a “sales surge” on iTunes for the original track and the video clip of the show performance. (Proceeds from that clip go to the “Idol Gives Back” charities.)
Since the announcement of the group’s summer tour with Journey and Cheap Trick, membership in the Heart fan club, Heartmongers, has doubled, the release goes on to report.
After a pair of dates in June, Heart will start its stint with Journey and Cheap Trick on July 9 in Denver.
On the tour, the band will perform songs from its hit-filled, three-decade career and from Ann Wilson’s 2007 solo debut album “Hope & Glory,” which was one of my favorite releases from last year.
-BAM
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Heart can cover Zepplin because Ann can actually keep up with Robert Plant’s vocal gymnastics. Not an easy task.