Song appears on Fierce Bliss
Ann Wilson releases the breathtaking rendition of Queen’s “Love of My Life,” featuring vocals from Vince Gill. Taken from Wilson’s forthcoming album, Fierce Bliss, out April 29th via Silver Lining Music.
“‘Love of My Life’ is a beautiful song about endless love. It was my honor to duet with Vince Gill on this song; an unforgettable experience for which I’m grateful!” Wilson shares.
Wilson has always enjoyed bringing new life and verve to classic songs, and with Queen’s “Love of My Life” she has helped fashion a definitive version which stands toe-to-toe with the original.
“I had the idea for the Queen song ‘Love of My Life’ as a duet, so I just tried to picture who would be ‘the male angel’ that would sing the other part of it,” explains Wilson. “I thought how great the song would be if it was stripped down and just sung with soul, and it had to be Vince Gill because he’s got that voice, that soul.”
Wilson’s rendition of Robin Trower’s “Bridge of Sighs” is another spectacular take on the classic featuring on Fierce Bliss.
“‘Bridge of Sighs’ in my opinion is the best blues song ever written,” offers Wilson. “That’s really saying something because it’s the vastness of the blues world, but this song is about true existential dread. It isn’t just you’re hurt because you lost your boyfriend or girlfriend, you’re on the edge of the abyss.”
“I like stuff that goes all the way,” Wilson continues. “I’m one of these people that halfway is not good enough. So, with Kenny Wayne Shepherd, one of the coolest monster guitar players around, it just made so much sense, and he tore it up. One of the most rewarding things for me as a singer, to not be hurried. The best singers are the ones who can sing ballads and really make it work, because you don’t have to be a genius to be a rock shouter or sing rock songs. But that ballad, where it’s slowed down or stopped and you’re center stage with the spotlight? Every little nuance is important, and I think that’s what ‘Bridge of Sighs’ was for me.”
Fierce Bliss is not just an album for fans of Ann Wilson and Heart, it is an album for everyone seeking a lavish ticket out of the sharp edges of an increasingly fraught society. The album also marks perhaps the first time in her illustrious career that Wilson has truly felt the wind in her wings, something which might seem a strange statement given her pioneering history.
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 for An Evening with Ann Wilson of Heart & The Amazing Dawgs. Additional dates are set to be announced.
