Mistral Wind (Live 1980)

Zoo Freaks, get ready to ride the wild breeze with the Zoo Crew spinning "Mistral Wind (Live 1980)" by Heart from their album Greatest Hits / Live! This epic track, clocking in at over seven minutes, is a fan favorite that captures the raw energy of Heart’s live performances. Nancy Wilson, in a 2018 interview with Vulture, called it a “Ulysses-type song,” describing a journey where a gentle wind turns into a life-altering storm, leaving you forever changed. She even pegged it as Heart’s best, praising its storytelling, poetry, and sweeping philosophical symbolism. The song’s dynamic shift—from Nancy’s delicate acoustic guitar to a thundering rock crescendo—mirrors the unpredictable mistral wind of southern France, a cold, fierce force that inspired its name.

Dive deeper, and you’ll find "Mistral Wind" is a rare gem with four credited writers: Ann and Nancy Wilson, guitarist Roger Fisher, and childhood friend Sue Ennis. Written for the 1978 album Dog & Butterfly, it never hit the radio but became a staple at Heart’s live shows. A fan on Reddit in 2023 raved about its intensity, wishing Heart had more tracks like it, while a 2018 Progarchy post compared its heavy second half to Black Sabbath, noting its roots in the Led Zeppelin-inspired sound of Houses of the Holy. One vivid fan story from the same post recalls blasting the live version on a Radio Shack Walkman while mowing the lawn in 1980, cranked to “ear-bleeding levels.” The 1978 Largo live performance, available on YouTube, is especially beloved for its raw, fresh energy despite grainy video quality.

Heart’s journey began in Seattle in 1970, evolving from a band called White Heart. Sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson, born in 1950 and 1954, respectively, were the driving force. Ann, with her powerhouse vocals, and Nancy, a virtuoso on guitar and mandolin, crafted a sound blending hard rock, heavy metal, and folk. The band, initially formed by Steve Fossen (bass), Roger Fisher (guitar), David Belzer (keyboards), and Jeff Johnson (drums), hit the scene in the mid-1970s, gaining fame with hits like “Barracuda” and “Crazy on You.” Their early years were marked by a relentless drive, playing gigs across the Pacific Northwest before signing with Mushroom Records. Their 1975 debut, Dreamboat Annie, was a breakout, showcasing their unique blend of grit and grace, with Ann’s voice and Nancy’s riffs setting them apart in a male-dominated rock scene.

Heart’s impact on women in rock is undeniable, as noted in a 2018 Progarchy article, which highlighted their commercial success as a female-fronted hard rock band in the 1970s. Despite shifts in lineup—Roger Fisher left after Dog & Butterfly—and industry challenges, the Wilsons kept Heart evolving, navigating the 1980s pop-rock era and returning to their roots in later years. Their resilience shines through in albums like Jupiters Darling (2004), which nodded to their early hard rock sound. Fans can connect with Heart on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. For deeper dives, check out fan communities like the Heartmongers Facebook group or the fan-run Heart Watchers site, where Zoo Freaks can geek out over every riff and lyric.