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| Ann Wilson : Hope & Glory At a time when America was beginning the lengthy healing process that followed the Viet Nam War and rock bands like Aerosmith, The Eagles and The Steve Miller Band were dominating FM radio airwaves, Sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson emerged at the center of one of the first critically recognized female fronted rock-n-roll bands. With Heart the Wilson sisters redefined what it meant to be a woman in the male dominated world of rock and helped to pave the way for future female artists, and along the way they made some invaluable contributions to the rich lexicon of rock-n-roll music. Today America is turning another dark corner in its notable history and Ann Wilson has chosen September 11, 2007 to offer a glimmer of light in these perplexing times. With her first solo effort Hope & Glory on Zoë/Rounder Records, Ann revisits the rock-n-roll classics that inspired her to embark on her distinguished career in the recording industry. She puts her signature on some of the music she has enjoyed over the ensuing years and introduces the new song “Little Problems, Little Lies.” Collaborator/producer Ben Mink insisted that Ann push herself as an artist and as a singer so that this collection of songs would be a relevant and personal expression for our times. All of the songs for Hope & Glory were lovingly selected by Ann for their collective message that the world can’t be healed by fighting or by turning our eyes away from the truth. Featured are seminal rock-n-roll classics such as Pink Floyd’s “Good Bye Blue Skies,” Led Zeppelin’s “The Immigrant Song,” Bob Dylan’s “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall,” as well as songs by The Animals, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Youngbloods, Lucinda Williams and Neil Young. Joining Ann on the recording is a list of artists that includes Elton John, K. D. Lang, Alison Krauss, Rufus Wainwright and Ann’s sister Nancy Wilson. Change is in the air. The world of amity and love that were celebrated in song all those years ago is still within our reach, but we now find ourselves lost in a furious desert. Ann Wilson has discovered elemental wisdom in the music that has shaped her life, and Hope & Glory is her valiant effort to illuminate the path on our continuing journey. write your comments about the article :: © 2007 Jazz News :: home page |