Here's an Archive of my August 2010 Album Review of Heart's album "Red Velvet Car"
http://guitarinternational.com/2010/08/31/heart-red-velvet-car/
By Arlene R. Weiss
© Copyright August 23, 2010, 2016 By Arlene R. Weiss
It’s always a welcome event when the very musically gifted and multi-talented sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson release new music, and what a sparkling album this is. So much so, that one feels like rolling out a red-velvet carpet for these First Ladies of Rock.
Red Velvet Car, the first new studio album from Heart since 2004’s “Jupiter’s Darling”, is a much more authentic, true, and stripped down release than their heavily polished mid ’80s and early ’90s albums. Albums where The Wilson Sisters lost much of their creative control to record labels, producers, and outside songwriters.
Red Velvet Car is refreshingly reminiscent of the delicate acoustic folk meets rock, Renaissance influenced atmosphere and sound of ’70s Heart. With Ann and Nancy once again taking up the directorial and artistic reigns themselves.
“WTF” storms the horizon much like their anthemic rocker, “Barracuda” with Ann’s soaring vocals and Nancy’s powerhouse guitar voicings, spirited and empowered, and still what they do best.
Their ’70s classics “Little Queen” and “Mistral Wind” shine through and are reborn via “Queen City’s” lustrous chime harmonics guitar intro, Ann’s elegant vocals, and poetry laced lyrics.
Nancy does a stunning turn on both lead vocals and autoharp throughout the lovely and delicate, “Hey You.” An ensemble piece with a rootsy, folk effervescent air wafting through it.
Check Out the Heart Collection at Amazon.com
“Safronia’s Mark,” a blissful duet of luminous mandolin and acoustic guitar courtesy of Nancy, makes way for her sun-kissed turn on lead vocals once again on “Sunflower”.
The subtle title-track showcases Ann’s bittersweet vocals and a tale of love’s resolve, hope, and ultimate redemption. Much like the wondrous, enchanting storytelling of these sweet and musical soul sisters, charming us with fiery rock-prowess, intelligence and grace.
Track Listing
1. There You Go
2. WTF
3. Red Velvet Car
4. Queen City
5. Hey You
6. Wheels
7. Saffronia’s Mark
8. Death Valley
9. Sunflower
10. Sand
© Copyright August 23, 2010, 2016 By Arlene R. Weiss
