Photo: Kimberly Adamis

ANN WILSON of HEART, one of rock’s most distinctive and powerful vocalists, has released “I Am the Highway” as the first track from her new album that’s due out September 14 on BMG. Fittingly titled Immortal, the album features 10 musically diverse tracks that pay tribute to some of Ann’s influences and friends who’ve recently passed and whose music poignantly lives on.

“I Am The Highway”–originally an Audioslave song that was sung by the late Chris Cornell and written with his bandmates—is released today. The song is also available as an instant track with album pre-orders, starting today; click here to access.

“The song is strong, confident, spiritual,” says the iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee of “I Am The Highway.” “It’s about a person who refuses to be tied down to the mundane, who is constantly looking for freedom and independence on a more universal scale, not just ordinary everyday reality. It was the cry of a soul, and it’s a beautiful song. Chris and I were friends; we had a lot in common, we were both outsiders in a way. He left us with amazing music.”

For Immortal, which marks her debut for BMG, Ann has teamed with original Heart producer Mike Flicker (Dreamboat Annie, Magazine, Little Queen, Dog and Butterfly and Bebe Le Strange, among others). “Mike was the first producer to believe in me,” Ann says. “He was my first teacher in the studio and knows how to provide that special support needed to bring out my soul in the recording process. It is exciting to work with him for the first time since 1980. I have traveled many, many miles since then but the old feeling is still there and fresh on Immortal. He has fearlessly helped me bring my ideas to life once again and it’s been a great collaboration.”

Ann chose the album title Immortal after revealing some working titles early on in the project. “The original working titles evolved as the concept for the album evolved; a little bit at a time,” explains Ann. “As my understanding of what I had undertaken grew and clarified, I realized a larger truth; that the souls may have departed but the songs will forever be their resonances. These are the poets of our time and their expressions must be handed down. Poetry is lasting and elemental like carvings in rock.”

The finely etched tracks that comprise Immortal cover a lot of musical ground, with many highlights including songs by Leonard Cohen (“A Thousand Kisses Deep”), Amy Winehouse (“Back to Black”), David Bowie (“I’m Afraid of Americans”), Lesley Gore (“You Don’t Own Me”) and Tom Petty (“Luna”). Ann says the criteria for choosing this collection of songs was easy. “First of all, I had to LOVE them! They had to be songs I could get inside of authentically as a singer. Lyrics are important to me but the most important thing is always the marriage of words and melody that makes the song magic!”

Immortal includes some very special guests as well. “Warren Haynes plays on Tom Petty’s ‘Luna’ and ‘You Don’t Own Me,'” Ann reveals. “Ben Mink is featured on Leonard Cohen’s ‘A Thousand Kisses Deep’ and Amy Winehouse’s ‘Back to Black.’ They are both musicians and great people whom I admire. It’s always a pleasure and an honor to work with them. Their souls shine through on these songs!”

Ann Wilson is currently on tour. Her solo dates start tonight and the Stars Align Tour with Jeff Beck and Paul Rodgers kicks off July 18th.

For more information see here http://www.annwilsonofheart.com/calendar

Website http://www.annwilsonofheart.com
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