Heart readies new album, children's book

[GoldDustOrphan]

Billboard.com

A new album and a children's book based on an old album are on Heart's docket for the balance of the year.

Guitarist Nancy Wilson tells Billboard.com that she and sister Ann have been in and out of the studio during the past few months with producer Ben Mink working on Heart's first set of new material since 2004's "Jupiter's Darling." "We've done a lot of writing and we've been in the studio a couple times so far between some of the touring stuff we're doing," Wilson says. "We've got about eight songs that we really like, and we've recorded three basic (tracks) that work so far. I know it will be out this coming year, but I can't give you any more specific time frame than that."

Wilson adds that recording has been done so far in Los Angeles and in various hotel rooms during the group's tours. She also expects to log some studio time in Seattle. Song titles so far include "Hey You" and "Closer," and Wilson says the recording process has been organic. "We're recording with just a real woodshed, small acoustic element, people playing together at the same time and (in) the same room -- like what they used to call a hootenanny," explains Wilson, who hopes to debut some of the new songs live this summer. "There's no ProTools feel to it at all. We're just sitting around playing guitars together and going for a performance that is on the spot."

Heart is also planning for a fourth quarter release of a storybook inspired by its 1978 album "Dog & Butterfly," which will come with a CD that includes new versions of the title song and "Dreamboat Annie" Heart will record with Mink. "We always wanted to do a children's book of some form or another," Wilson says. "Ann pretty much did the writing, and I kind of was her editor. She made the initial drawings of the dog and I did the butterfly. She drew the characters, mostly, and I painted them. And then we had an artist come in and kind of fill in some of the other designs 'cause we're kind of busy right now. It looks really good. It's really simple."

Heart has tour dates booked into September, including nine dates opening for Journey.

[vivfox]

The best live band I've ever seen!!

[snicksfan85]

One of those dates in September just happens to be in Nashvegas on my birthday....

[iamnotafraid]

Originally Posted by GoldDustOrphan

Heart is also planning for a fourth quarter release of a storybook .

Their first book was great, titled "The Old Woman Who Swallowed A Fly".
Almost autobiographical!

[UnwindedDreams]

The new album may come out early next year. Hopefully they stick to their words and play new songs this summer. Is anyone going to see them this year? I have Nassau and NC lined up.

[TeenageMac]

I've got 2nd row seats to Heart / Journey in September.

[BombaySapphire3]

Look forward to the all new album..Jupiter's Darling is pretty good IMO.

[TeenageMac]

Originally Posted by BombaySapphire3

Look forward to the all new album..Jupiter's Darling is prerry good IMO.

I agree. I love Jupiter's Darling. One of my favorite songs is "Make Me." It is a shame that that album did not sell more (100,000+ copies). Soverign Artists totally screwed Heart over in terms of promotion/advertisement for the album. I've read that they still owe the band thousands of dollars. Since, Soverign has gone bankrupt and no longer exists.

[BombaySapphire3]

Originally Posted by TeenageMac

I agree. I love Jupiter's Darling. One of my favorite songs is "Make Me." It is a shame that that album did not sell more (100,000+ copies). Soverign Artists totally screwed Heart over in terms of promotion/advertisement for the album. I've read that they still owe the band thousands of dollars. Since, Soverign has gone bankrupt and no longer exists.

I did not know these details ..I do remember when the album was released and I bought it the promotion must not have been that great because people I know who were causual fans did not even know it existed.

[TeenageMac]

Originally Posted by BombaySapphire3

I did not know these details ..I do remember when the album was released and I bought it the promotion must not have been that great because people I know who were causual fans did not even know it existed.

Yeah, the promotion was terrible. Apparently, Sovereign Artists promised Heart certain things in regard to advertisements and they never followed through at all. Even still, it is a strong album with some great tracks on it. I just wish it wasn't as long - There is some filler on it I think.

[daniellaaarisen]

I've seen Heart live twice-- one of those two times was last weekend.

If you want to die happy, go to one of their shows. NO ONE can cover Led Zeppelin except for Ann and Nancy Wilson. NO ONE.

And their version of "Love Reign O'er Me".... magic.