The Essential Heart (Rm) (2CD) [Original recording remastered]

Their are noteworthy tunes abound. Disc 1 walks through their 70's work, Stand-outs being the mystical feel of "Magic man", the heavy distortion of Barracuda". And the folky riff of "Crazy on you". The latter being the ideal opener.
After a brief dry spell, the hits kept coming, which brings us to Disc 2. Many of these songs have a lighter, more radio friendly sound. Ballad-fare such as the sentimental and heartfelt (no pun intended) "These Dreams".

If there's one questionable omission, it's from the "Little Queen" album: the acoustic "Cry to me". Which was also released as the B-Side to the "Barracuda" single. It definetely deserves it's place alongside these classics and it's absence made my head itch. So for that I must deduct a star from my rating.

Anyways despite that, "The Essential Heart" is definitely one of the better titles in the series. In hindsight given Sony's botched Ozzy Osbourne, Bob Dylan, Blue Oyster Cult, and Billy Joel compilations, they for once got it right. If you're on a budget looking for Heart's music, "The Essential Heart" is the way to go.

If you have followed Heart the way I have, you will know that there were 2 journeys for this band. The fab 70's where they played the way they wanted to play, and recorded songs they wanted to record. However, record companies in the 80's weren't so accepting or generous and groups had to conform to 'standards'. My first impression of Heart's 1985 album "Heart" was "omigod, they have died". Gone were the great rock and folks songs. Here we had big hairdo's, big power ballads and synthesizer city. But that's what the 80's were about. Heart still received hit after hit (What about Love, Never, Alone) and the 80's albums kept coming. I was disappointed with the change that Heart adopted, by understand it so much better now. Alot of the 80's stuff wasn't their choice. Interesting to note, that none of the 80's hits that Heart sang, were actually written by Heart. This pleased me because I just felt that Anne or Nancy couldn't write such crappy songs (eg. All I Want to Do is Make Love to You).

The Wilson sisters, have said, in one way or another, that they are glad the 80's have passed, and that they can return to what they really do best ie. folk and rock.

What 'Essential' does, is give an impressive look at the career of this great band. Disc 1 is obviously my favourite as it features most of the 70's classics (with some strange omissions) while Disc 2 features those 80's power ballads, and some early 90's stuff which sees them Heart returning to the true Heart.

That reviewer who said this is HEART's debut album has no idea. Do not pay any attention to his review.

I urge new Heart listeners to buy "Dreamboat Annie" and "Little Queen".

I have one message for Heart - Please tour Australia !!!