Customer Reviews

The Essential Heart (Rm) (2CD)

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"The Essential Heart" is probably the one stop Heart record casual fans will need, which is fine, because as a compliation it does it's job gathering all of their big hits and (nearly) all of their noteworthy album cuts.

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.

This CD is worth twice the asking price. Love it !!! It is Heart at their talented best. If you never buy another Heart CD, don't pass on this one
Highly recommended.

The 70's gave the Wilson Sisters a chance to demonstrate their talents and they surely did. Not only could they write some of the nicest ballads I have ever heard (Dreamboat Annie, Love Alive), but they could belt out some of great rock tunes too. All of which have become rock classics (Magic Man, Crazy on You, Barracuda).

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 !!!

It took the talents of not one but two top level producers to digitally remaster this compilation. It shows- big time. With the exception of the songs from the 1st album all songs sound like they were recorded and produced yesterday. The re-mastering brings out nuances not heard on the vinyl or original recording CDs. The bottom end and guitar solos are tight. Ann's voice soars like never before with expanded headroom and endless clarity. The producers knew what they were doing it really, really shows.

Playing air guitar really pisses my girlfriend off to the point were she will not even speak to me for hours if I rock out in public. Well this CD had me in my isolated splendor. She can't dig my riffs! Funny she does not mind my air drums though.

This is the best compliation album representing esoteric selections that you would not want to buy the whole album for, (rock 'n roll), commercial hits like Magic Man, and gems that received short lived air play like "How Can I Refuse".

I hate greatest hits compilations. This one truly is "Essential".

Next to Blondie, Heart is one of my personal favorite bands that I grew up listening to (especially their '80s material). Over the years I have seen so many best of/greatest hits released that it has gotten a bit silly, even for this lifelong fan. I mean really? How many best of/greatest hits cds do we really need? And I really think that anything with the two words "The Essential..." tacked on before the artist/band's name is getting a bit cheesy and out of control. I'm just waiting for "The Essential Kathie Lee Gifford" to come out (not). These "Essential" compilations have really spread like a fungus, and not necessarily in a good way. Still, after seeing the tracklist for the Heart compilation, I thought this compilation looked quite appealing especially since they included one of my personal favorite Heart songs that wasn't included on past comps, "Secret". That and the band's live covers of Led Zeppelin's "Rock and Roll" and that cavity-inducing ballad "Unchained Melody" intrigued me. Well,I loved the Led Zep cover but loathe the "Unchained Melody" cover. That is another song that should never be covered. Hated the original, hate Heart's version. Overall the inclusion of both of the band's '70s and '80s material was a great idea. I think we have seen enough comps of just the band's '80s music or their '70s music. I thank the gods that they didn't include that treacly ballad "Almost Paradise" or the cheeseball "Surrender" (like on their last greatest hits (from the past decade). I think the live version of "You're The Voice" is a lot better than the studio version. I still loathe "All I Wanna Do...". Hideous song, and of course written by Mutt Lange. Blech! Overall solid compilation, even though anything with the word "Essential" tacked on is getting tiresome and cheesy IMO.

I shouldn't have chose this cd because I only know a few songs and the second cd has songs that I don't know and don't care for.

got 'round to this at last.
"crazy on you" is totally wicked, cool opening track
"barracuda" - brilliant - good to play when someone's p..ssed you off!
"love alive" - quite beautiful,
the early accoustic tracks are simplistic & airy,
this band is quite unique in it's overall style, they don't follow any rules musically,
"ring them bells" - this is my heart christmas song, but also can be played at other times!
"rock & roll" - totally cool rock chicks - totally rockin' out - brilliant! - when i saw this live @ wembley arena, i totally fell in love with the band!
the '80s collection "what about love" etc, of these all, "never" is my fave, really positive & catchy - love the chorus
they have made some completely blow away anthems - "alone", "what about love", "these dreams" - they go off the richter scale, surely!
the end track - "the road home" - a great drivin' track & the perfect round up to this album - excellent stuff!
these women really can kick ass!
old & new, their sound is very different, but each in their own way, is pure magic, man!

As a 48 yr. old female rocker, I am in awe of Ann and Nancy Wilson. And now that they are back, I feel a piece of myself that has been missing for so long has been returned. These women are the epitemy of what good rock music is about. Anyone reading this review should seriously listen to all their music and I'm sure they will find the spirit and soul of these girls to be encouraging and totally fulfilling. Thanks Heart for all you do and for the wisdom of your words and notes.

Great overall collection. I have 5 other Heart CDs but wanted this new remastered disc. Second disc is great...except that I noticed "Nothin' At All" wasn't the original release. Why would you do that?! So be careful, there may be more non-original songs.

You can play checkers or chess with the Wilson sisters. I think they're great!