Although unfairly remembered chiefly for their MTV-humping power ballads, Heart are actually a terrific rock band in the vein of Led Zeppelin - all mammoth riffs and folky acoustic tales delivered with bewitching sensuality by Ann and Nancy Wilson.
This enjoyable live offering covers all eras of Heart’s career, and proves they've more depth and drive than you might imagine. Their songwriting and style helped the band shift a tidy 30 million albums worldwide, starting as a classic hard rock act before diving into the world of outside writers, huge hair and commercial anthems during the bombastic 1980s.
Since the turn of the millennium they've rediscovered their rock roots, with 2012’s 'Fanatic' album featuring some seriously heavy guitar work. The tour for that record culminated in this concert in Windsor, Ontario.
Almost half the set is comprised of tracks from 'Fanatic', but unlike the strangely lifeless studio versions those songs come alive on stage. The title track and 59 Crush groove along on gnarly riffs, while Mashallah! provides a thrilling banshee chorus and Dear Old America is a corrosive salute to the armed forces.
The set is filled out with jewels from the band’s back catalogue, with highlights being the sexy rock ‘n' roll of Even It Up and Heartless, both of which pulse with Aerosmith-style sass. Ann's voice remains powerful, brassy and soulful, and although more denim rough than silky smooth these days, it suits the rock dynamic.
The ballads are given a particularly rapturous reception, with What About Love custom built for stadiums, Dog And Butterfly beautifully serene and These Dreams causing lighters to rebel against gravity. Unsurprisingly, the biggest cheer is reserved for Alone.
Instead of rolling out the overwrought original, they treat the watching masses to a stripped back, emotionally naked rendition that leaves sections of the crowd in tears. The string section – magnificent throughout - provide the perfect foil for Ann's heavens-shaking performance.
The best two cuts are saved for last, with Nancy's nimble acoustic work leading into a storming rendition of Crazy On You and Barracuda's ball-breaking gallop providing an explosive, pulse-quickening finale.
The accompanying DVD should boast a label that reads 'Masters At Work', such is the band’s ability to wow their audience. The Wilsons ooze charisma, with Ann being big of body, voice and character and Nancy bouncing, flicking back her blonde locks and hammering out riffs. They could have played more hits, and perhaps one of their renowned Zeppelin covers, but when it comes to performing, Heart clearly don't require a defibrillator just yet.
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