Heart released their latest studio album Red Velvet Car on August 31, 2010, via their label, Legacy Recordings. The legendary rock band consists of sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson on vocals and instrumentals. They are known for their hit singles “Alone,” “What About Love,” “These Dreams,” “Barracuda,” “Never,” “Magic Man,” among many others.
Red Velvet Car, produced by Ben Mink, consists of ten tracks, all of which were co-written by Ann and Nancy.
According to the official website of Billboard Magazine, the CD peaked at #10 on the Billboard 200 all-genre charts, as well as #3 on the Billboard Rock Albums charts, becoming one of their most successful records to date.
Highlight Songs on the CD
Red Velvet Car opens with “There You Go Again,” and it is followed by their up-tempo single “WTF,” and the title track, which is a bluesy ballad.
Ann showcases her superb vocal range on such tunes as “Death Valley” and “Safronia’s Mark,” and is equally noteworthy on “Queen City” and “Wheels,” proving that she still has one of the most powerful female voices in the history of rock music.
Nancy Sings Lead on Two Tracks
Nancy is featured on lead vocals on two tracks including the soothing “Sunflower,” as well their spitfire single “Hey You,” where her voice is as mellifluous as ever. This shows that Nancy is one of the most underrated musicians of our time, since she excels on vocals, in addition to playing guitars, autoharp and mandolin on this record.
“Sand”
The CD closes on a spiritual note with “Sand,” which is perhaps the greatest track on the album, and one of their best vocals to date. It is a well-written song with heartfelt lyrics, and a poignant homage to a deceased friend of theirs. The song is simple, performed by Heart on their acoustic guitars, however, they transform it into a vocal masterpiece thanks to Ann’s incredible pipes, and Nancy is stunning on harmonies and backing vocals. It is a tune that will certainly tug at the listeners’ heartstrings and leave them in goosebumps.
The Verdict
Based on this release, it is evident that Ann and Nancy Wilson are like fine wine! They only get better with age. Fans that enjoyed Heart’s music back in the 1980s will certainly enjoy Red Velvet Car, since it shows their ability to re-invent themselves and introduce their craft to a new generation of listeners. It is an asset for any rock or pop music fan’s collection. Mink has done a brilliant job on its production.
Hopefully, Ann and Nancy will be around to entertain us for a long time to come, since they are two of the most talented women in music.
To learn more about Heart’s Red Velvet Car CD, be sure to check out their official website.
Source
- Billboard 200 Charts, September 18, 2010, issue.
Markos Papadatos - Markos Papadatos holds over six years journalism experience, authoring over 700 articles, many of which are feature profile interviews.
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