Gallery & Review: Ann Wilson, Paul Rodgers & Jeck Beck Live in Chicago 7/29/18

When I recently spoke with Ann Wilson of Heart to get a preview of her upcoming solo album, Immortal, and “Stars Align” tour with Paul Rodgers and Jeff Beck ( https://musicexistence.com/blog/2018/07/21/interview-ann-wilson-of-heart-announces-new-solo-album-tour/ ), she told me the tour was “a lot of really good music.” After having seen the Chicago stop of tour on July 29th, Ann’s comment feels like an understatement.

Wilson’s set was light on Heart material (she only played Barracuda), but high on energy nonetheless as she played several songs from the new Immortal covers album (see preview link above), plus several classic uptempo covers that aren’t on her new record. She opened with The Who’s, The Real Me which really got the crowd moving. Ann sounded strong and enjoyed talking to the crowd, as she discussed her new songs and motivation for the project.

Paul Rodgers played second on this night (really 3rd if you include Deborah Bonham…yes, the sister of late Led Zeppelin drummer, John…who seems to be in opening slot purgatory as she isn’t listed on the official ticket, and she plays about 30 mins. before the show’s announced start time. But she’s lovely and a great singer too!) and really rocked the house solidly for his approx. 75 min. set. Paul’s classic and distinctive tone is absolutely no worse for the wear, given his age is approaching 70. Truly, he easily sounds like a singer 20 years younger and is a marvel to hear. I am adding him to my list of freak singers whose voices haven’t faded despite their progressing age…thinking the likes of Steven Tyler, Robin Zander, and maybe a couple others. Rodgers played a set that consisted of Free and Bad Company songs, which the crowd gladly sang and rocked along to for the entirety of his performance.

Legendary guitarist Jeff Beck closed the show with a set comprised of his guitar wizardry in instrumental numbers, as well as blues rockers with vocals. The Beck faithful were on their feet throughout and left satisfied.

GALLERY BELOW SETLISTS

Ann Wilson Setlist:

1. The Real Me
2. Barracuda
3. Fool No More
4. Your Move
5. I Am The Highway
6. You Don’t Own Me
7. Life In The Fast Lane
8. Won’t Get Fooled Again

Paul Rodgers Setlist:

1. Little Bit of Love
2. Can’t get Enough
3. Wishing Well
4. Feel Like Makin’ Love
5. My Brother Jake
6. Ready For Love
7. Walk In My Shadow
8. Mr. Big
9. Movie’ On
10. Woman
11. Fire And Water
12. Shooting Star
13. Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy

Jeff Beck Setlist:

1. Pull It
2. Stratus
3. Nadia
4. You Know You Know
5. Morning Dew
6. I Have To Lauhg
7. Lonnie On The Move
8. Mna Na H-Eireann
9. Just For Fun
10. Little Wing
11. Big Block
12. ‘Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers
13. Brush With The Blues
14. Superstition
15. A Day In The Life
16. Corpus Christi Carol
17. Going Down