Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Heart brightened up the Fallsview Casino for a 2 day engagement this past week. This is the first time since June of 2007 that the band has played Niagara Falls, Ontario. You can say the fans from the area have been chomping at the bit to see Heart and they were treated to some classics, some deeper cuts and some covers.
Heart has had the same lineup since 2012 except for the new addition of keyboardist Chris Joyner who took over for the departed Debbie Shair. The band is still as tight as ever as longtime drummer Ben Smith provides the beat along with Dan Rothchild on bass and also now 11 year veteran Craig Bartock on lead guitar.
The band shared stories behind some of the tracks including “Bebe Le Strange” and “There’s the Girl.” On the latter, rhythm guitarist Nancy Wilson explained how the song was about a good friend of hers and how he had blinders on about a girl he was dating at the time. Even though the song wasn’t as well received as the other songs that were performed, I loved it. It was one of the highlights for me as it was off of 1987’s “Brigade” album and also the first time I was able to see the band live.
After the song Nancy Wilson brought out the mandolin and stayed on lead vocals for Heart’s first number one hit “These Dreams.” The next song was the evening’s show stopper as vocalist Ann Wilson can still bring the house down when performing “Alone.” She still has the bravado and can connect with the audience like few other lead vocalists can.
The band did a few covers outside of the Led Zeppelin ones they have become known for doing. One was Robin Trower’s “Day of the Eagle” and The Sonics “The Witch.” They have performed “The Witch” live as it has been on “Alive in Seattle,” which was released back in 2003. It’s a fun, edgy song that fit perfectly into the band’s setlist. I have seen Heart perform a number of Led Zeppelin covers but can’t remember seeing them do “No Quarter.” What a treat and another highlight of their performance on Wednesday.
Heart still performs at a high level and when they roll into town you can bet on Ann Wilson giving her all. She has one of the greatest voices in rock still after all this time.
Setlist:
Magic Man
Heartless
What About Love
Kick it Out
Straight On
Bebe Le Strange
There is the Girl
These Dreams
Alone
Day of the Eagle (Robin Trower cover)
The Witch (The Sonics cover)
Crazy on You
Barracuda
Encore:
Immigrant Song (Led Zeppelin cover) No Quarter (Led Zeppelin cover) Misty Mountain Hop (Led Zeppelin cover)
We would like to thank both Sacha Guzy from Peters Mangament and Samantha Hoodless from the Fallsview Casino for the credentials to review the show.
