  
Frontiers/Playground
Sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson have sure left their mark on the world of rock. Not as a girl band but as female pros in a half girl band that never seems to have focused much on the gender issue. Since back in the early 70-ies Ann has handled the vocals, being synonymous to their sound, and Nancy has been there on rhythm guitars since 1974. Other musicians have come and gone, most notably guitarist Howard Leese, drummer Denny Carmassi and the surprises Mike Inez, bass, and Gilby Clarke, on guitars. Today the band consists of the sisters backed by guitarist Craig Bartok, bass player Dan Rothchild, keyboardist Debbie Shair and drummer Ben Smith. This gig was recorded about a year ago as Heart celebrated a fantastic coupe of recent years, as well as them being home for Christmas for once. They also brought a few friends with them, hence the “and Friends” tag.
This album is a very American Christmas by a band much at home on stage, bringing a few good friends along for the ride. They lasted ten slow songs before rocking it up a bit, and I waited for that moment too. They wisely steered clear of the most commercial and overused songs of the Holidays, but still captured all that is tinkering and glittery about Christmas with friends and family. First out among their friends is Shawn Colvin, who is probably more known in the States than in Europe. They get more feedback from the audience as RICHARD MARX is presented for lovely rendition of “All Through the Night”. Next up is the joker himself, the Red Rocker Sammy Hagar. He must be comedian material and his was of talking to an audience must be copyrighted. Last one out is Pat Monahan, who is lead vocalist for the band TRAIN. You might not want this is you prefer banging round the X-mas tree with the old Teutonic project X-MAS PROJECT. But if you´re in the mood for some well arranged cosiness this is probably your cup of tea.
Track List
River
Seasons
Rocking
Love Came Down at Christmas
Poem
All Through the Night
All We Need Is an Island
Santa´s Going South (for Christmas)
Please Come Home for Christmas
Remember Christmas
Barracuda
Even It Up
Stairway to Heaven
Ring Them Bells
www.frontiers.it www.heart-music.com
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