ANN WILSON – Fierce Bliss (2022) HQ

ANN WILSON is one of the premier hard-rock vocalists of all time. Smashing boundaries with longstanding Seattle outfit HEART, she’s enjoyed a decades-long career resulting in more than 35 million albums sold and an induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Wilson recorded much of her new, upcoming solo album”Fierce Bliss”, at Fame Studios, Muscle Shoals in Sheffield, Alabama, and enlisted the company of a trio of guitar powerhouses for good measure: co-producer Tom Bukovac, Warren Haynes and Kenny Wayne Shepherd.
Haynes, who last worked with Wilson on her Immortal solo release returns for Fierce Bliss, bringing along Gov’t Mule for a pair of original songs: ‘Gladiator’ and ‘Angel’s Blues’. Shepherd accompanies Wilson on two covers: a monstrous version of the Robin Trower classic, ‘Bridge of Sighs’, and an ambitious take on the Eurythmics’ hit, ‘Missionary Man’.
An ethereal duet version of Queen classic ‘Love of My Life’ with Vince Gill is also featured on the album, as well as fantasy art by Roger Dean, renowned for his work designing Yes’ sleeve artwork.

Next year will see the 50th Anniversary of Heart, conjuring fond memories of classics like “Barracuda”, “Dog and Butterfly” and “Crazy On You”.
Many casual fans of the band would likely not be expecting new music from the band’s lead singer at this stage in 2022, much less a substantial album of quality material that rocks. Ann Wilson is here to prove otherwise.

Her new album “Fierce Bliss” is a startling home run that sees the pioneering rocker excel in songwriting and swagger. As for her voice, it sounds like we’re still in the 70s – she’s lost none of her power or emotive range. Armed with a slew of inspired new original songs and a few choice covers, Wilson succeeds on one track after another. In short, this album is a must-have for fans of any era of the band, particularly those who still want to rock out a bit.

Primary to the album’s inspiration were the supporting musicians. Wilson had been writing and collecting songs the past few years but needed the incentive to put them together on one album. Having been introduced to several famed Nashville-based musicians, she got to check off a bucket list item by recording at the famed Muscle Shoals Sound Studio.
“I met these guys like [famed Nashville session guitarist] Tom Bukovac and Tony Lucido,” explains Wilson. “I’d never met them before, and they really inspired me. It was like a big door opening.” Having a new ace band forming was crucial but Wilson didn’t stop there, inviting in several guest artists from guitarists Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Warren Haynes to singer Vince Gill and many more, resulting in a satisfying musical range.

Although the album features some pretty cool covers, it’s always encouraging to find that some of the best songs are originals. “Fierce Bliss” quickly establishes that Wilson’s songwriting chops are up to par with two impressive opening tracks. “Greed” is both accessible and compelling as it rocks with the spirit of the 70s era and a slight sheen of the 80s as window dressing. A great lead-off track.

“Black Wing” is even better, a more acoustic, earthy piece that sends shivers via Wilson’s voice. “On the breath of your liberation and the perfume of wild ginger bloom, black wing on highways of heaven riding all the way back home.” With Tyler Boley on guitar, the latter half stretches out with slide electric playing as the rhythmic ambience conjures up the feels, big time.

“Fighten for Life” has been around for a little while in Wilson’s repertoire and this recorded version was worth the wait. Although kept at a slower tempo, the band and the singer ratchet up the intensity throughout, a transcendent piece where the choral backing vocals carry that “Heart” feel.
Elsewhere, Warren Haynes teams up for the triumphant “Gladiator” which also echoes with classic Heart vibes, “A Moment In Heaven” shines a light on the fickle nature of fame and “As The World Turns” closes the album with an anthemic, lighter-raising send-off with style and grace.

Having proven herself several times over already, Wilson provides some icing for the cake with several welcome covers. “Missionary Man” is a fun nod to fellow rock diva Annie Lennox while making the song her own, complete with gospel backup singers.
Vince Gill is tapped to deliver Queen’s “Love of My Life” as a true duet, a charming surprise as is a deep cut from Jeff Buckley, “Forget Her”.

But it’s Robin Trower’s classic “Bridge of Sighs” which establishes itself as a centerpiece of the album, providing a showcase not only for Wilson’s scorching vocals but also for legendary blues guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd to let it rip. What a perfect match up, leaving no survivors.

We all hope that next year sees the Wilson sisters reuniting once again to celebrate the band’s 50th Anniversary. Whether or not that nostalgia is realized, “Fierce Bliss” proves that Ann Wilson is having something of a rebirth in the present moment.
Her legacy has just risen a notch higher with an album that belongs in every Heart fan’s collection.
HIGHLY Recommended

01 – Greed
02 – Black Wing
03 – Bridge of Sighs
04 – Fighten for Life
05 – Love of My Life (feat. Vince Gill)
06 – Missionary Man
07 – Gladiator
08 – Forget Her
09 – A Moment in Heaven
10 – Angel’s Blues
11 – As the World Turns

Pre order:
www.amazon.com/Fierce-Bliss-Ann-Wilson/dp/B09RPKC7FX