Heart

You’re on tour right now?

We’re on tour right now in between recording sessions. So we’ve been really busy putting together the songs for the new album.

A new Heart album?

We’re making a new album and we’re working with producer Ben Mink.

It seems like nowadays I hear your music more than ever before.

We’ve seen so many young, young kids the last few years now, showing up at the Heart shows, in the front row, yelling, “BARRACUDA!” Which is really cool because it means that our songs are standing the test of time kind of beautifully and the generational dots are connecting. We couldn’t be more excited about that.

It seemed as if Heart had two distinct careers: the classic rock Portrait Records incarnation of the ’70s, and the run you had after signing with Capitol, with the smoke machines and big hair videos on MTV.

Well, at first it was kind of exciting because we had a new record label and new management and a new opportunity to survive. The way the culture was changing because of MTV turned quickly into something else—it was so bombastic, over the top, and [cost] so much money. It was really hard to live up to the standard of the imaging that was starting to support that ’80s fashion; it got to be more trouble than it was worth. All that hairspray. Oh my god.

You can read more of this recent interview over @ the Portland Mercury web site.

Track list
1. Strong, Strong Wind
2. Magic Man
3. Crazy On You
4. Dreamboat Annie (reprise)
5. Barracuda
6. Little Queen
7. Kick It Out
8. Love Alive
9. Heartless
10. Straight On
11. Dog & Butterfly
12. Even It Up
13. Bebe Le Strange
14. Tell It Like It Is
15. This Man Is Mine
16. How Can I Refuse
17. Rock And Roll (Live)

Taking Pre-Orders here NOW!

Acoustic instrumentals for babies to fall asleep to.
This is now available for Pre-order here!

Tracks:

1. Blinky Blinkers
2. Every Snowflake
3. Sun On The Rug
4. Toes In The Sand
5. Hold On To Me
6. Cozy Rain
7. Silky
8. Buzz Buzz
9. Cute Galoot
10. How Many Stars

Frontiers Records is excited to announce the European release of the brand new Howard Leese album Secret Weapon on July 3.

Best known as guitar player for Heart which he joined in 1975 and with whom he stayed for 22 years, Leese co-produced some of their 13 albums. Heart had 20 top 40 singles, 3 International n. 1 singles, a no. 1 album (“Heart”) in 85′, has received 4 Grammy nominations and has sold 40 million records worldwide. Following his decision to leave the band he put together a group in Seattle called “The Brigade”, a band playing some old Free classics and where he could express at best the various influences that shaped up his guitar playing: from Dick Dale (the first live experience that he had) and Mike Bloomfield to Keith Richards, Peter Green from Fleetwood Mac, Jeff Beck, Hendrix, Eric Clapton and of course Paul Kossoff of Free.

In 1997 the legendary Paul Rodgers (Free, Bad Co, The Firm with Jimmy Page, Queen) had moved from England to Vancouver and was looking for a U.S. back-up band. Intrigued by how well Leese could play Kossoff’s particular style and licks, he asked him to join his band. In 1998 Howard Leese joined The Paul Rodgers Band and more recently became touring member in the reformed Bad Company line-up. “For the last 10 years, every summer I play shows with Paul Rodgers” says Howard. “But 3 years ago, Paul was doing a QUEEN tour, and I had the summer off. So I decided to record a solo CD. I had just put a studio in my home, and knew it was a perfect time to express myself as an artist”.

Howard Leese has often been called “Heart’s secret weapon”. His debut solo record, aptly titled “Secret Weapon” is an effort that’s sure to thrust him into the spotlight he so patiently has watched dance around in front of him for decades. “”Secret Weapon ” has a wide range of styles. It can go from heavy power trio rock to full symphony orchestra to tender acoustic passages, and that’s just in one song!” says Howard, who offered up such Rock giants like Joe Lynn Turner (former Rainbow and Deep Purple singer), Paul Rodgers, Keith Emerson or Jimi Jamison (ex Survivor), to have their spotlight turn on his record.

Howard Leese takes great pride in having his work heard from the dark depths that linger behind the spotlight. The only difference now is that the secret is out, so he might simply be a weapon – one hell of a weapon! “My fans mean so much to me, they have changed my life” concludes Leese, “Secret Weapon” was a labour of love for all of you, and I hope that you all will love it”.

Tracklisting of “Secret Weapon” includes: Alive Again (vocals Joe Lynn Turner); Heal The Broken Hearted (vocals Paul Rodgers); Hot To Cold (vocals: Deanna Johnston & Joe Lynn Turner), French Quarter (instrumental feat. Keith Emerson); 33 West Street (instrumental feat. Paul Reed Smith), The South Summit (vocals Duke Fame), Rada’s Theme (instrumental), The Vine (vocals Jimi Jamison), In These Eyes (vocals Keith St. John), Vermilion Border (instrumental), I’ve Been Leavin’ You (vocals Andrew Black), Somewhere (Theme From West Side Story) (instrumental).

WebLinks: www.frontiers.it / www.myspace.com/howardleese

Los Angeles / New York, February 27, 2009 : ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publisher) will honor Heart’s Ann & Nancy Wilson with the prestigious ASCAP Founders Award during its 26th Annual Pop Music Awards, it was announced today by President and Chairman Marilyn Bergman. The invitation-only gala will take place on April 22, 2009 at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles, California, and will also honor the songwriters and publishers of ASCAP’s most performed pop songs of 2008.

The ASCAP Founders Award is among the most prestigious honors that ASCAP gives to songwriters who have made pioneering contributions to music by inspiring and influencing their fellow music creators. Each recipient is a musical innovator who possesses a unique style of songwriting genius that will enrich generations to come. Past recipients include Ashford & Simpson, Burt Bacharach & Hal David, Alan & Marilyn Bergman, Jackson Browne, Elvis Costello, Melissa Etheridge, Billy Joel, Annie Lennox, Sir Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, Smokey Robinson, Steely Dan, James Taylor, Tom Waits, Stevie Wonder and Neil Young.

ASCAP President and Chairman Marilyn Bergman commented: “Ann and Nancy Wilson have made an indelible mark on rock music history. Their success and influence helped pave the way for other female artists, and they continue to build their musical legacy with an artistic energy that remains as strong today as when they first started out over 35 years ago. They are true musical trailblazers and ASCAP is extremely proud to honor them with the Founders Award.”

Ann Wilson and her sister, Nancy Wilson, first showed the world that women can rock when their band Heart stormed the charts in the 1970s with hits like “Crazy On You,” “Magic Man,” “Barracuda,” “Straight On,” “Even It Up,” “Kick It Out,” and so many more. They continued topping the charts through the ’80s and into the ’90s with huge hits like “These Dreams,” “Alone,” “What About Love,” “If Looks Could Kill,” “Never,” and a string of other hits that showcased the sisters’ enormous talents as musicians and singers. During their extraordinary 35-year career, Heart has sold more than 30 million records, had 21 top 40 hits, sold out arenas worldwide and had a profound influence on rock music.

The group is currently on their latest U.S. tour, and they will be hitting the studio this year to record what will be their 14th album. They are also gearing up to mark the 30th anniversary of their classic multi-platinum album Dog & Butterfly with special events and celebrations. They also continue to win new generations of fans with their #1 single “Barracuda” being included in “Guitar Hero World Tour” and the new American Idol contestants paying tribute to their catalog of hits every season.

The songwriters and publishers of ASCAP’s most performed pop songs of 2008 will also be honored at the awards ceremony. Top awards will be given to Songwriter of the Year, Song of the Year and Publisher of the Year, in addition to the presentation of the ASCAP Vanguard Award, which recognizes the impact of musical genres which help shape the future of American music.

The 26th Annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards is part of “ASCAP I Create Music Week” — an entire week of events being held in Los Angeles to celebrate the voice of the music creator.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtyoZab4cFo&fmt=18

Heart in the Studio

Continuing with its ‘In the Studio’ series, Rock n’ Roll Books will release Heart – In the Studio in June, 2007. Featuring a chapter-by-chapter account of the recording of the entire Heart catalog, including the making of hits like ‘Magic Man’, ‘Crazy On You’, ‘Barracuda’, ‘These Dreams’, ‘Alone’, ‘All I Wanna Do (Is Make Love To You)’, and others Ann and Nancy Wilson made famous over their 25+ year career, the book will feature exclusive interviews with all of the band’s producers, including Mike Flicker, Keith Olsen, Ron Nevison, Ritchie Zito, Duane Baron, and others, as well as interviews with band members chronicling the recording of the band’s catalog of multi-platinum albums. Authored by biographer Jake Brown, the publishing house will also release ‘Rick Rubin In the Studio’ in June, 2007.”