{"id":71436,"date":"2022-07-19T19:58:59","date_gmt":"2022-07-20T00:58:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/?p=71436"},"modified":"2022-07-19T20:04:40","modified_gmt":"2022-07-20T01:04:40","slug":"ann-wilson-touring-in-support-latest-studio-album-fierce-bliss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/2022\/ann-wilson-touring-in-support-latest-studio-album-fierce-bliss\/","title":{"rendered":"Ann Wilson Touring in support of latest studio album ‘Fierce Bliss’"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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There is a calm, serene spirituality about\u00a0Ann Wilson<\/strong>\u00a0in 2022 which instantly draws you to her. She feels like a warm, wise someone who has seen enough bullshit to know how to avoid it calmly, and someone who is at peace with whatever she needs to be at peace with. Perhaps that is why the soul (and, indeed title) of her latest album,\u00a0Fierce Bliss<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0(released April 29 via Silver Lining Music) offers such universally entertaining, engaging, honest and safe harbor from these unpredictable times.

Take \u201cGreed<\/strong>,\u201d the powerful first single\u2026\u00a0\u201c\u2018<\/em>Greed<\/em><\/strong>\u2019 is that thing in our animal nature that makes us want MORE,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0Wilson<\/strong>\u00a0declares.\u00a0\u201cWhether it be money, sex, power or ecstasy, it fires our craving!\u00a0It happens with all of us. When you turn around and catch yourself making decisions because you want the money, or because you\u2019re caught in the headlights of glory, well, those are greedy moments.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wilson<\/strong> continues \u201cI think people who claim to have made every decision from a root of pure idealism, and never done anything dark or greedy, is lying. I think everybody who ventures into especially the music industry hoping for a career with big success, ends up making these Faustian bargains at some point even if only briefly. It\u2019s an aggressive song and I think I write best when I\u2019m angry.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the premier hard rock vocalists of all-time, Wilson<\/strong> smashed boundaries smashed boundaries with her band Heart<\/strong>, the 8-times Platinum, 35 million-plus selling Rock and Roll Hall of Fame trailblazers who formed in 1973. During a decades-long career, Wilson<\/strong> rode the roller coaster of fame, fortune and madness, learning both joyous and hard, hard lessons along the way. Fast forward to Summer 2020, and a meeting with legendary veteran \u2018artist\u2019s lawyer\u2019 Brian Rohan provided the catalyst for Fierce Bliss<\/strong><\/em>\u2019s creation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBrian recommended people to me that knew people in Nashville, so I met these guys like [famed Nashville session guitarist] <\/em>Tom Bukovac<\/em><\/strong> and <\/em>Tony Lucido<\/em><\/strong> at those Muscle Shoals Sound Studio sessions. I\u2019d never met them before, and they really inspired me. It was like a big door opening.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the musical chemistry organically established, Fierce Bliss<\/strong><\/em> came together quickly. \u201cI had originally intended to go in, record a few songs and see what I had, but it just took on this life,\u201d <\/em>remarks Wilson<\/strong>. \u201cAt Sound Stage in Nashville, <\/em>Kenny Wayne Shepherd<\/em><\/strong> came in and played on a couple songs. He was a whole other influence coming in. He just played his butt off, and with the gospel singers and everything else coming together, the whole project just started to grow.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wilson<\/strong> continues, \u201cI\u2019d known <\/em>Warren Haynes<\/em><\/strong> from <\/em>Gov\u2019t Mule<\/em><\/strong> for a while. We\u2019d written a couple songs together with <\/em>Gov\u2019t Mule<\/em><\/strong> playing, and those rounded out the record. So all of a sudden, where there was no record before, suddenly I had eleven cool songs that I really liked.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ann Wilson<\/strong> released the breathtaking rendition of Queen<\/strong>\u2019s \u201cLove of My Life<\/strong>,\u201dfeaturing vocals from Vince Gill<\/strong><\/em>, on April 20. She has always enjoyed bringing new life and verve to classic songs, and with Queen<\/strong>\u2019s \u2018Love of My Life<\/strong>\u2019 she has helped fashion a definitive version which stands toe-to-toe with the original. \u201cI had the idea for the Queen<\/strong> song \u2018Love of My Life<\/strong><\/em>\u2019 as a duet, so I just tried to picture who would be \u2018the male angel\u2019 that would sing the other part of it,\u201d explains <\/em>Wilson<\/strong>. \u201cI thought how great the song would be if it was stripped down and just sung with soul, and it had to be Vince Gill<\/strong> because he\u2019s got that voice, that soul.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Queen<\/strong> themselves are quite thrilled and honored for their classic to be so beautifully reimagined. Says Brian May<\/em><\/strong>, “Well, there are two stellar talents there\u2026 Very innovative and emotional.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fierce Bliss<\/strong><\/em> is classic rock comfort food of the finest ingredients, carrying a richness and light that allows you to escape into timeless nostalgia. 11 perfectly weighted and selected songs ranging from Wilson<\/strong>\u2019s own co-penned originals to breathtaking covers and collaborations. \u201cA Moment in Heaven<\/strong>\u201d could easily apply to anyone who has seen their career suddenly bathed in a bright beam of glory before the spotlight is abruptly moved elsewhere. There is a deeply spiritual air about Ann Wilson<\/strong> 2022, and both \u201cBlack Wing<\/strong>\u201d and \u201cAngel\u2019s Blues<\/strong>\u201d show different facets of that soul and ethos. Furthermore, Wilson<\/strong> brings new life and verve to classic songs, such as Queen<\/strong>\u2019s \u201cLove of My Life<\/strong>\u201d and Robin Trower<\/strong>\u2019s \u201cBridge of Sighs<\/strong>,\u201d and has helped fashion definitive versions of each which stand toe-to-toe with the originals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To cap it all, the album artwork comes from the mind and hands of celebrated fantasy artist Roger Dean<\/strong>, who aside from his work in fantasy art is also renowned for his Yes<\/strong> sleeve artwork.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wilson<\/strong> will soon be hitting the road with her new band, and make no mistake, she\u2019s a performer at heart thus her excitement is palpable. Ann Wilson<\/strong> seems to be more comfortable with herself (and her art) than ever before with both Fierce Bliss<\/strong><\/em> and the band she\u2019ll be touring with. \u201cI think that for someone who\u2019s been through as much as I have, and has lived to tell the tales, it\u2019s okay to share my experiences,\u201d<\/em> says Wilson<\/strong> sagely. \u201cI\u2019ve heard from a lot of younger musicians and listeners too who have thanked me for staying around and for just keeping upright, just making it through, making the concessions once but not twice, and being able to live through it all with dignity.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Here\u2019s the track listing for FIERCE BLISS:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Greed<\/li>
  2. Black Wing<\/li>
  3. Bridge of Sighs<\/li>
  4. Fighten for Life<\/li>
  5. Love of My Life (feat. Vince Gill)<\/li>
  6. Missionary Man<\/li>
  7. Gladiator<\/li>
  8. Forget Her<\/li>
  9. A Moment in Heaven<\/li>
  10. Angel\u2019s Blues*<\/li>
  11. As the World Turns
    *Available on CD and digital formats only<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Ann Wilson – Vocals
    Tom Bukovac – Guitar
    Tony Lucido – Bass
    Sean T Lane – Drums, Percussion & Bike
    Gordon Mote – Keyboards
    Tim Lauer – Keyboards<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Produced by Ann Wilson and Tom Bukovac
    \u201cGladiator\u201d and \u201cAngel\u2019s Blues\u201d produced by Ann Wilson and Warren Haynes<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Mixed by Chuck Ainlay
    Recorded by Chuck Ainlay at Fame Studios, Muscle Shoals, AL and Soundstage, Nashville, TN
    \u201cGladiator\u201d and \u201cAngel\u2019s Blues\u201d recorded by Joe Paterno at Power Station, Waterford, CT
    Black Wing Recorded by Sean Walker at Uberbeatz, Lynnwood, WA
    Mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound, Edgewater, NJ
    Executive Producer Jim Zumwalt<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Musicians who appear on Fierce Bliss:
    Vocals – Vince Gill on \u201cLove of My Life\u201d
    Lead Guitar – Kenny Wayne Shepherd on \u201cBridge of Sighs\u201d and \u201cMissionary Man\u201d
    Guitar – Warren Haynes on \u201cGladiator\u201d and \u201cAngel\u2019s Blues\u201d
    Guitar – Tyler Boley on \u201cBlack Wing\u201d
    Keyboards – Danny Louis on \u201cGladiator\u201d and \u201cAngel\u2019s Blues\u201d
    Keyboards – Dan Walker on \u201cBlack Wing\u201d
    Bass – Jorgen Carlsson on \u201cGladiator\u201d and \u201cAngel\u2019s Blues\u201d
    Bass – Andy Stoller on \u201cBlack Wing\u201d
    Drums – Matt Abts on \u201cGladiator\u201d and \u201cAngel\u2019s Blues\u201d
    Choir – The Rev Nathan Young Singers on \u201cMissionary Man\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    FIERCE BLISS buy link:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    h<\/a>ttps:\/\/lnk.to\/AnnWilsonFierceBliss<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cGreed\u201d official video (ok to post online):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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