Hope & Glory by Ann Wilson (CD, Sep-2007, Zoe)

I've been a HEART fan for 30 years and have seen them many times in concert & bought every album they made. This is Ann Wilson's first solo album ever, and to say it's not very good is disappointing. Firstly, the theme to most of the songs is war. Secondly, the bulk of the songs are all remakes , with only one original self-penned song. Thirdly, Ann's voice is surprisingly not up to the standards of her trademark highs or gutsy singing, and she does sound much better on the recent HEART CD " Dreamboat Annie Live ". And Fourthly, what are all these guest stars doing on this album? Everyone was recorded at a different studio according to the liner notes, except for one guest l.d. lang.

Ann's love of Led Zeppelin has been well known with Heart's many great versions of Zep classics. Here " IMMIGRANT SONG " does not rock, but is in some new arrangment with the opening siren call banished to the background. A real dud. Overall, this is NOT a rock album. There are no rock songs like on a Heart album, nor is there even a love song! There is no R&B classic for Ann to sing her soul out on, like " Tell It Like Is " that she did so great 26 years ago. The theme to this album is dealing with the times we are on with war, and the songs are all about that or as in the bland cover of the overplayed hit by The Youngbloods in 1969 that is here - " GET TOGETHER ". Instead of being inspiring , or creatively artistic , this whole project is a big downer.

It's too bad it took this long for Ann to do a solo album. If she had done one years ago, it would have not sounded like this . If Capitol or Epic had released an Ann Wilson solo album back then, it would have been stellar. Maybe it is too late in her career for a great solo album. Original material like the last few Heart albums showed growth , inventiveness & great tunes. This sadly has very little. And besides Rounder/Zoe is a roots/bluegrass label, so perhaps they didn't have a clue about so little rock on this debut solo album. Years in the making, but not worth the wait. Stick to a Heart album to enjoy.