Rock 'n' Roll's Best Female Vocalists' (1975)

Two of the best female vocalists in rock 'n' roll would make their world-debut in the fall of 1975. Those two ladies, sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson, would release Dreamboat Annie in September 1975. The duo showed the world that a band can be fronted by powerful women. Besides Heart released in 1985, Dreamboat Annie is one of my favorite Heart albums. How can one not love the various tracks that have been a crucial part of rock 'n' roll for the past four decades? The compelling vocals between the sisters are what makes this album and others worthy of listening to today.

Dreamboat Annie, a rather short album spanning thirty-nine minutes, contains four memorable singles that I am sure most, if not all, rock 'n' roll fans have heard. The prominent singles on the LP include: "How Deep It Goes," "Magic Man," "Crazy on You," and "Dreamboat Annie." The first track on the album, "Magic Man," is written in the viewpoint of a young girl being seduced by an older man. Ann Wilson's piping vocals are accompanied by a unique synthesizer and guitar blend that initiates halfway through the song. This interesting combination almost provides the listener with a progressive-rock type of feel!

Third on the list, and one of my favorite's on the album, "Crazy on You," features an acoustic guitar segment that includes both arpeggios and chords at a fast tempo. Shortly after, the song breaks into the loud rock 'n' roll style that defined Heart's style back in the mid-to-late 1970s. I always found this song interesting for how the band paired the acoustic guitar with an electric guitar. Usually during upbeat rock songs like this, two electric guitars are featured; not an electric with an acoustic guitar providing rhythm. However, it is something different that is enjoyable to listen to.

A handful of slower-ballads are included on the album as well. "Soul of The Sea," while not known by many, offers listeners a beautiful track backed up by a cheerful acoustic guitar and bass riff. Towards the end of the song, the tempo increases along with Ann's vocals and the instruments, but then slows back down for a peaceful ending.

While I listened to the entire album before writing this, I really enjoy "White Lightning And Wine." The guitars and other instruments remind me of something The Rolling Stones would have composed. The very "honky-tonk" chord-driven riffs and occasional solos make me wonder if Keith Richards had anything to do with the song. Like others on the album, this song is a hidden-gem.

To conclude their debut, the band throws in two ballads. The single "How Deep It Goes," and the second "Dreamboat Annie - Reprise." At this point in the album, no more fast, upbeat rock 'n' roll is heard. These two tracks are heavily defined by peaceful lyrics and the "airy-like" synthesizers. Even though I wish the album could have ended with a "bang" like others have, I do really enjoy the flute that can be heard. The wind-instruments adds onto the calm, steady theme of the songs.

Overall, Dreamboat Annie is an album that includes various singles that became popular during the album's reign on the charts. The other songs that compose at least half of the LP did not become as popular as the singles. Those that never gained attention have not been heard by many. However, it does not mean that they aren't good tracks. For their debut, I believe the Wilson sisters had great success; despite Dreamboat Annie only landing on the number seven spot in the United States. For being my favorite female-fronted band, this album is a quality listen, but I believe there are better Heart records.

Nancy Wilson with guitarist Roger Fisher in concert