When Ann Wilson took the stage at the Avalon Ballroom at Fallsview Casino, the crowd did not know what to expect. A night of Heart music, perhaps? Well, after the first three songs it was clear this would not be a Heart concert. Starting the night with a blistering cover of “The Real Me” by the Who, Ann jumped right into two Heart classics with “Barracuda” and “Crazy on You”. She then put the Heart songbook away for a while and busted through a set of cover material that left the audience in awe. Wilson’s voice hasn’t lost a note to age. A varied list of artists such as The Eagles, Yes, The Black Crowes, Buffalo Springfield and Lesley Gore were covered with each one paid tribute to in her own style. Her friend Glen Frey was lovingly honored with a slower tempo “Life in the Fast Lane”. Acoustic renditions of “I’ve Seen All Good People” and “She Talks to Angels” were sublime. A powerhouse “Won’t Get Fooled Again” with a scream after the keyboard solo was a highlight for the ages. The dramatic Heart tune “Alone” stunned the crowd who burst into a standing ovation as the momentum of the evening was building. The show closed with “Love Reign O’er Me”
Wilson left the crowd chanting for more. She did not disappoint with two encores. The first was a rockin’ version of “For What It’s Worth” and Lesley Gore’s “You Don’t Own Me,” which was done in a more heavier style. The second encore of “I Put A Spell On You” and “Danger Zone” ended the night with a Wilson holding a crystal ball aloft as if to hypnotize her faithful followers. The crystal ball was not needed. A loud ovation from the already mesmerized crowd brought down the curtain on one of the most entertaining shows of the year. Wilson had great success with Heart and certainly has developed into one of the classic female voices of the rock and roll era.
Setlist:
The Real Me (Who cover)
Barracuda
Crazy on You
What About Love? (Toronto cover)
Fool No More
Life in the Fast Lane (Eagles cover)
A Million Miles
I’ve Seen All Good People (Yes cover)
She Talks to Angels (Black Crowes cover)
Won’t Get Fooled Again (Who cover)
Alone
Love Reign O’er Me (Who cover)
Encore 1:
For What It’s Worth (Buffalo Springfield cover)
You Don’t Own Me (Lesley Gore cover)
Encore 2:
I Put A Spell On You (Screamin’ Jay Hawkins Cover)
Danger Zone (Percy Mayfield cover)
We would like to thank Bari Lieberman from MSOPR for the credentials to review the show.
