HEART singer Ann Wilson has released the video for her new single ‘A Moment In Heaven,’ taken from Ann‘s upcoming album, “Fierce Bliss”, due on March 29 via Silver Lining Music.
“’A Moment In Heaven’ tells the story of a one-hit-wonder in the star-maker machinery of Hollywood: the sublime cruelty of transient fame.” says Ann Wilson
“A Moment In Heaven” carries a specific point of reference for Wilson but could easily apply to anyone who has seen their career suddenly bathed in a bright beam of glory before the spotlight is abruptly moved elsewhere. “It’s one of those anti-Hollywood screed things,” offers Wilson, “the meat grinder of the music image maker machine and what it feels like to be on the inside of that. All of a sudden, it’s ‘happening’ on all thrusters, you’ve got a number one record and everyone’s pouring champagne telling you how much you ‘deserve this.’ You’re in heaven! But then the cruel reality comes down… what’s the next one? Can you follow that? It’s all about the short-lived glamour and ecstasy of being successful in the rock business.”
One of the premier hard rock vocalists of all-time, Wilson smashed boundaries with her band HEART, the eight-times platinum, 35-million-plus-selling Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame trailblazers who formed in 1973. During a decades-long career, Wilson rode the roller coaster of fame, fortune and madness, learning both joyous and hard, hard lessons along the way. Fast forward to summer 2020 and a meeting with legendary veteran “artist’s lawyer” Brian Rohan provided the catalyst for “Fierce Bliss”‘s creation.
Ann says: “Brian recommended people to me that knew people in Nashville, so I met these guys like [famed Nashville session guitarist] Tom Bukovac and Tony Lucido at those Muscle Shoals Sound Studio sessions. I’d never met them before, and they really inspired me. It was like a big door opening.”
With the musical chemistry organically established, “Fierce Bliss” came together quickly. “I had originally intended to go in, record a few songs and see what I had, but it just took on this life,” remarks Wilson. “At Sound Stage in Nashville, Kenny Wayne Shepherd came in and played on a couple songs. He was a whole other influence coming in. He just played his butt off, and with the gospel singers and everything else coming together, the whole project just started to grow.”
Wilson continues, “I’d known Warren Haynes from Gov’t Mule for a while. We’d written a couple songs together with Gov’t Mule playing, and those rounded out the record. So all of a sudden, where there was no record before, suddenly I had eleven cool songs that I really liked.”
“Fierce Bliss” is classic rock comfort food of the finest ingredients, carrying a richness and light that allows you to escape into timeless nostalgia. 11 perfectly weighted and selected songs ranging from Wilson’s own co-penned originals to breathtaking covers and collaborations. “A Moment in Heaven” could easily apply to anyone who has seen their career suddenly bathed in a bright beam of glory before the spotlight is abruptly moved elsewhere. There is a deeply spiritual air about Ann Wilson 2022, and both “Black Wing” and “Angel’s Blues” show different facets of that soul and ethos. Furthermore, Wilson brings new life and verve to classic songs, such as Queen’s “Love of My Life” and Robin Trower’s “Bridge of Sighs,” and has helped fashion definitive versions of each which stand toe-to-toe with the originals.
To cap it all, the album artwork comes from the mind and hands of celebrated fantasy artist Roger Dean, who aside from his work in fantasy art is also renowned for his Yes sleeve artwork.
Wilson will soon be hitting the road with her new band, and make no mistake, she’s a performer at heart thus her excitement is palpable. Ann Wilson seems to be more comfortable with herself (and her art) than ever before with both “Fierce Bliss” and the band she’ll be touring with. “I think that for someone who’s been through as much as I have, and has lived to tell the tales, it’s okay to share my experiences,” says Wilson sagely. “I’ve heard from a lot of younger musicians and listeners too who have thanked me for staying around and for just keeping upright, just making it through, making the concessions once but not twice, and being able to live through it all with dignity.”
‘AN EVENING WITH ANN WILSON OF HEART & THE AMAZING DAWGS’ Tour will kick off on February 19 at Family Gras in Metairie, LA, with more dates to be announced soon.
02/19 – Metairie, LA – Family Gras
05/04 – San Francisco, CA – Great American
05/05 – Napa, CA – The Uptown Theatre
05/07 – Pala, CA – Pala Casino
05/09 – Los Angeles, CA – El Rey Theatre
05/10 – Los Angeles, CA – El Rey Theatre
05/13 – Los Cabos, MEX – Hard Rock
06/11 – Peachtree City, GA – Fred Amphitheater
06/13 – Nashville, TN – Basement East
06/14 – Nashville, TN – Basement East
06/16 – Tampa, FL – Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa
06/17 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – The Parker
Tickets can be purchased at this location.
“Fierce Bliss” is available to pre-order now on CD Casebound Book (deluxe package), Vinyl and Digital formats here.
“Fierce Bliss” Track Listing:
- Greed
- Black Wing
- Bridge of Sighs
- Fighten for Life
- Love of My Life (feat. Vince Gill)
- Missionary Man
- Gladiator
- Forget Her
- A Moment in Heaven
- Angel’s Blues*
- As the World Turns
*Available on CD and digital formats only
- Ann Wilson / Vocals
- Tom Bukovac / Guitar
- Tony Lucido / Bass
- Sean T Lane / Drums, Percussion & Bike
- Gordon Mote / Keyboards
- Tim Lauer / Keyboards
Musicians who appear on “Fierce Bliss”:
- Vocals – Vince Gill on “Love of My Life”
- Lead Guitar – Kenny Wayne Shepherd on “Bridge of Sighs” and “Missionary Man”
- Guitar – Warren Haynes on “Gladiator” and “Angel’s Blues”
- Guitar – Tyler Boley on “Black Wing”
- Keyboards – Danny Louis on “Gladiator” and “Angel’s Blues”
- Keyboards – Dan Walker on “Black Wing”
- Bass – Jorgen Carlsson on “Gladiator” and “Angel’s Blues”
- Bass – Andy Stoller on “Black Wing”
- Drums – Matt Abts on “Gladiator” and “Angel’s Blues”
- Choir – The Rev Nathan Young Singers on “Missionary Man”