Disco de Heart: “The Road Home”

1995 was an annus horribilis. I was unemployed from July and sank into a deep depression. When I saw that Heart had come out with The Road Home, I saw the titles and said to myself, "Big deal, yet another live album!" and never gave it a second thought. Besides, my initial reaction, now since corrected, of course, of 1993's Desire Walks On, was still etched in me. 2003 is looking to be another annus horribilis, but this time, a renewed interest in the Wilson sisters, thanks in large part to Eric Andrews--take a bow :), is trying to fend off my dark demons. Anyway, I just heard The Road Home for the first time this year and was totally blown away at the stripped down renditions of the songs, taken from acoustic concerts recorded 12-16 August 1994 at the Backstage in Seattle, representing a new phase in Heart after the arena rock reputation they achieved in the mid-1980's.

The tempo for "Dreamboat Annie", despite being the Fantasy Child version, mirrors the original version, but then it has that lovely string section and flute in the Reprise version.

I've always wanted to hear "Dog And Butterfly" live and that's next. But the string section of the Seattle Symphony, including a nice oboe, really melted me.

The first new song is the bluesy "(Up On) Cherry Blossom Road", which due to the mandolin, I can imagine appearing on Little Queen. John Paul Jones of Led Zep, produced this album and does mandolin here. Ann introduces him as they launch into "Back To Avalon", which has the same engaging energy as the original despite the lack of electric guitars.

The most noticeably difference in Heart's scaled back music are their renditions of their two #1s and #2, "Alone", "These Dreams", and "All I Wanna Do..." In fact, when I heard the opening acoustic notes opening "Alone", I half-expected "Stairway To Heaven"--well, sort of. No Ron Nevison synths here, only an oboe and mandolin. And it's sad violins and a viola that provide the opening notes for "These Dreams." And "All I Wanna Do..." becomes a piano ballad.

I've heard the original version of "Love Hurts" by Nazareth and Joan Jett's cover, but Ann Wilson does it with such intensity, accompanied by guitar and piano, I really believe it.

Speaking of covers, they do heartfelt string-laden renditions of Elton John's "Seasons" and not out of place on the ballad side of their Dog & Butterfly album, and Joni Mitchell's "River." That cello and oboe on "River" adds to the melancholy of the song, with Ann still demonstrating the potent range of her voice at one point.

Ann really belts it out on the bluesy classic "Crazy On You", slowed down in the initial minute and a half, before things get more rousing during the remainder of the song. Speaking of classics, their rendition of chugging electric guitar classic "Barracuda" still packs a wallop despite its acoustic format.

"Dream Of The Archer" from Little Queen sounds much like the original, due to the mandolin and acoustic Led Zep-stylings.

The engaging title track, with its jangling mandolin, jamming guitar, and heavy drums, is looking to be a new Heart classic to be played on car radios on return homes from long trips.

A real treat is the interview in the booklet where one can learn the story behind the songs performed on the set. I don't know how I would've reacted to this had I bought it upon its original release, but now that I have it, expect to put this on heavy rotation.

Typically fans of Heart fall into one of two camps, `70s album rock fans, or `80s Power ballad fans. I am a huge fan of the former, and a fan with less fanaticism about the latter. But I also fall into a third category as a huge fan of the more acoustic pieces. Love Alive, Dreamboat Annie (the song), Dream of the Archer, etc are some of my very favorites from what is probably my very favorite band.

I still recall when I saw Heart on their first headline tour supporting "Dreamboat Annie", and the first time Ann played a bar on the flute, I was hers for life. During that show which was curiously opened by a pop group (Player.. "Baby Come Back"), the crowd was in a very mellow mood, wanting to sit on the floor and wave the lighters. Ann was kind of befuddled about the reaction, and Said "Wow you guys really like the quiet stuff; Someday we'll come back and play a show like that... But tonight we're gonna ROCK & ROLL!

To this day, it was one of the best shows I ever saw. But I still am waiting for that show. I wish I would have been in the club where "The Road Home" was recorded, because it is the show I always wanted to see. These songs are performed largely acoustic, give or take, and have a very intimate feel. A lot of performers use the line Ann does in this set of "Welcome to our Living Room", but it really has that feel. The versions on this song you can readily imagine being at one of the sister's houses and watching a jam session like this from them and a few friends.

This is definitely a CD every Heart fan should own, but I think it is an album anyone would enjoy would enjoy, even if they didn't know they were fans yet.

I just ordered my second copy of this CD because my first one has absolutely been through the wringer and couldn't be saved. I wouldn't dare go for weeks or months without listening to this album. I am usually into heavier rock, but this album has truly captured me. It just floats me away to a magical, beautiful, and peaceful place and the versions of the songs have left me STARVED for more Heart music like this. I believe that the Wilson sister's talent is best portrayed in these versions of their masterpieces and in other songs that were never well known by the general public. I have been a Heart admirer since chiildhood, and always listened to Little Queen, Magazine...but this album is over the top incredible and I highly recommend it. It is definitely my favorite Heart album and is also the most listened to of all my albums, of which there are many.

There is a reason the sisters of Heart, Ann and Nancy Wilson, were so successful. It wasn't the record label glammed up overly made up mid-80s look they were given, but teh love of the music they played that lept from the speakers.

One of the most beautiful CDs I have ever heard, this collection of songs is very much like MTV's Unplugged series. Its a shame that MTV never aired the concert.

All the classics are here ALL I WANNA DO, THESE DREAMS, and a stirring DOG & BUTTERFLY.

But for me, my favorite is a cover version they did of Elton John's SEASONS. The song is an ode to the friends we have made and lost on our journey of life. (ok, maybe I'm getting overly grand here but it is gorgeous music!)

This is not an 80s hair band like many thought Heart to be.

These are to serious musicians who love to perform and are masters of their craft!

"The Road Home" is one of Heart's best albums (and that's saying something). Recorded live in a small Seattle club, this CD leaves behind the big production and shiny sheen that dominated their music for most of the 1980's. What's here is really what makes Ann and Nancy Wilson so powerful - - acoustic arrangements and Ann's amazing voice. John Paul Jones from Led Zeppelin did the arranging and producing - a great homage since the Wilson's have been very vocal about their love of Led Zep over the years. All the Heart originals here are just great and it's eye-opening to hear them played stripped down. Like another reviewer, I never liked "All I Wanna Do Is Make Love To You" (really guys, what were you thinking when you originally recorded this for the Brigade album??) and was surprised to see that it was included here. This version is much better than the original, but the song is just lame (dumb lyrics). Of the covers, the best is Joni Mitchell's "River". I love Joni's version, but Ann makes this her own. Any Heart fan should own this album - and any fan of acoustic/folk rock should too.