The Ann Wilson Thing Seattle Showbox 2015 Photo by Anna Knowlden Friel
Maybe you’ve wondered if rock stars ever tire of playing the same songs thousands of times over. In a recent article for Rolling Stone magazine Beach Boy Mike Love estimated that he’d sung “Fun, Fun, Fun” close to 6,000 times.
One elixir for song burnout is for an artist to go out and play a bunch of their favorite songs, other than the ones they are famous for. The challenge is getting audiences to go along for the ride and to be enchanted with hearing new renditions of old songs from favorite performers.
The Ann Wilson Thing finds Heart’s lead singer doing cover versions of classic blues and rock songs such as the Stones “Sympathy for the Devil,” Screamin’ Jay Hawkins “I Put a Spell On You,” Stephen Still’s “For What It’s Worth,” Aretha Franklin “Ain’t No Way,” and Jimi Hendrix “Manic Depression.” It’s the antithesis of so many bands these days doing full evening tribute shows to heritage acts like Heart.
In the process of interpreting classic rock, blues and soul numbers, Wilson finds she discovers new musical avenues leading deeper into the full spectrum of human feelings. “For me, to sing is to really touch life and feel love, deep inside. To pour out emotions in a song is a beautiful release,” she explains on the project website.
For The Ann Wilson Thing, Ann is joined on stage by veteran guitarist and longtime Heart bandmate Craig Bartock (since 2004) and Heart drummer Ben Smith (since 1995), plus Heart keyboard player Chris Joyner (since 2014). Bartock has credits playing with Madonna, Blondie and Simply Red.
Bass player Andy Stoller (Tracy Chapman, Chuck Prophet) is also happy to harken back mutual favorite songs with Wilson. “It’s amazing to play with Ann, not only because of her legendary voice and presence; but the music she chose to play is the very music that inspired me to become a musician in the first place.”
Chris Joyner united with Heart after touring with the Wallflowers and Soul Asylum and recording with Ray Lamontagne, Sheryl Crow and others. The Ann Wilson Thing’s drummer Ben Smith has been a member of Heart since 1995. He was with Heart when they recorded a live version of “Stairway to Heaven” with Jason Bonham (son of original Zep drummer John Bonham) plus the National Symphony Orchestra and two choirs at the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors.
No stranger to looking back, Wilson performed on a 2001 Beatles tribute show (A Walk Down Abbey Road) and, more recently, in the Concert for George (Harrison) concert film.
The Ann Wilson Thing comes to Rams Head On Stage for two shows (Monday and March 29, 8 p.m. each night). Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Heart is reported to be recording a new full-length album for release in 2016. But this is really a chance to see Ann Wilson with most of her Heart band members playing choice covers in an intimate setting.
“I’m excited to play unusual songs in small places. I am excited to push my creative and vocal boundaries,” exclaimed Wilson in a recent tour interview. Could be as close as you’ll get to the very heart of rock and roll!
