The Ann Wilson Thing! #2 Focus Review by Gary Hill
This is a new EP from The Ann Wilson Thing. That's Ann Wilson of Heart, and this is her solo band. It's just four songs. Two of them are covers and two are originals. It's an interesting set. Some of this does sound quite a bit like Heart. There is one particularly exceptional tune, but nothing is lacking, either.
This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2016 Volume 5 at lulu.com/strangesound.
Track by Track Review
Manic Depression
Wilson and company lead things off with this Hendrix classic. It's a modern take with plenty of retro texture built into it. This is a live recording.
Fighten Fer Life This mellower studio cut is pretty and powerful. It's very much the kind of thing that was common in the early Heart catalog. There is a bit of psychedelic rock trip out mid-track. I absolutely love this song. The set is worth the price of admission for this one alone.
Don't Give Up Here Wilson and her band put in a cool, almost bluesy fusion, take on a Peter Gabriel cut. I love this version. It's a lot more organic than the original, but this live take brings a different flavor and vibe to it. That serves it well. I prefer the original, but this one is quite cool. It rocks out in the ending section.
Anguish Acoustic slide guitar is the order of business here. They rock this out and turn it more toward hard rocking territory later. This resembles a cross between Zeppelin and Heart at times. It gets a bit more metallic at times, too. It's a real stomper and another intriguing flavor for the set.
