Jim Crean's latest project is called Scream Taker. Scream Taker features Jim Crean, Vinny Appice and Steph Honde.
Exclusive interview with Buffalo Music Hall of Fame alumni, Jim Crean by Joe Tell.
Jim is currently promoting his two latest releases, The London Fog and Gotcha Covered.
The London Fog and Gotcha Covered can be purchased by clicking on www.jimcrean.net or www.visionarynoise.com
Hello Jim,
-When did you start singing?
I started at the age of 13 and then started playing clubs by 15.
-Which instruments do you play?
I play guitar and sing.
-What was the first tune you learned to sing and play?
Dream On by Aerosmith.
-Was anyone in your family musical?
My dad was a drummer.
-Which famous musicians do you admire?
There are so many but probably mostly Ronnie James Dio & Steven Tyler from Aerosmith.
-Which famous musicians have you learned from?
I have been privileged to work with so many known high profiled musicians so It’s hard to pinpoint one person!
-What are your fondest musical memories?
There are so many it’s hard to keep track of, especially touring with Appice, however I just recently was inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall Of Fame and that was a highlight being recognized in my own home town!
-Were you influenced by old records & tapes? Which ones?
My biggest records that influenced me were Animal Magnetism from the Scorpions and all of the Talas albums!
-Who are your favorite musicians?
Every one that I have worked with.
-Any major tours/plans for the future?
Yes I am going out on tour with Appice in the coming year and The Jim Crean Band is planning on doing many shows along with releasing a Live album / DVD from the Whiskey A Go Go in Los Angeles that we recorded back in August.
Jim Crean - The London Fog music review by Joe Tell.
One of Jim Crean's 2019 releases is an all original album called The London Fog.
(Released on Visionary Noise records and produced by Jim Crean and Steve Major)
The London Fog is Jim Crean's third major solo release.
The guest stars that play on The London Fog is a list of who's who in the hard rock world. Guests' include Steph Honde (Cafe' Bertrand, Paul Di'Anno (Iron Maiden) Hollywood Monsters), Mike Tramp (White Lion, Freak Of Nature), Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake, Yngwie Malmsteen, Dio, Blue Oyster Cult), Carmine Appice (Cactus, Beck, Bogert and Appice, Ozzy Osbourne, Rod Stewart, Ted Nugent, Vanilla Fudge), Vinny Appice (Rick Derringer, Black Sabbath, Dio, Heaven & Hell, John Lennon), Frank Dimino (Angel), Tony Franklin (The Firm, Jimmy Page, Quiet Riot, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Whitesnake), Rik Fox (Steeler, W.A.S.P.), Colleen Mastrocovo, Robby Lochner (Great White), A.D. Zimmer, Ray Tabano (Aerosmith), Artie Dillon, Barend Courbois, Robbie Robson, Eric Lebailley, Chris Tristram (House Of Lords), Chris Holmes (W.A.S.P., L.A. Guns), Chris Konys, Dave Pontrello, Freddie Villano, Carl Canedy (The Rods) and Mitch Perry (Michael Schenker, Talas, Ratt). Wow, very impressive.
The London Fog starts off with Scream Taker. The intro is reminiscent of the cool music you usually hear at the beginning of any classic hard rock album and the music the band plays before you would see them in concert. Nice piano and guitar touches. The song features an all-star cast with Steph Honde on guitar and keyboards, Rudy Sarzo on bass and Vinny Appice on drums. The hard driving music starts fast and will make you move or raise your blood pressure, like a good rockin' song should. The lyrics strike me as a tribute to the legendary metal singer Dio. Jim immediately makes his presence heard with a couple of aggressive screams. An absolutely killer solo is enhanced with some nice string sounds. Jim takes the syncopated music out with a couple more high-pitched screams. Jim's vocal performance on Scream Taker is one of the best on the album, full of passion, fire and a little brimstone.
Conflicted continues the high energy vibe, the song features Steph Honde on guitar and keyboards and A.D. Zimmer rips a short but sweet bass solo reminiscent of Billy Sheehan. The guitar intro establishes the mid-tempo rocker. Jim gives another impressive vocal performance punctuating the music perfectly. The lyrics reflect the drama that only a rock and roll love affair can provide.
The next song Broken was released with a accompanying Youtube video. The video features Colleen Mastrocovo and members of Jim's cover band Hair Nation, Dan Kaplin and A.D. Zimmer.
Click on the arrow in the middle to watch the video.
Broken sounds like it was pulled directly off of an MTV Headbangers ball playlist. Jim Crean delivers an emotionally driven and strong vocal performance, the song is completed with some blazing lead guitar by Steph Honde.
Aphrodisiac is an exciting song that stimulates the listener in more ways than one. The repeating musical figures have a mesmerizing quality and the amazing guitar solo raises the sexual tension even more.
Lady Beware has a solid drum beat that will get your toes tappin'. Jim's aggressive vocals rise above the backbeat lifting the energy up and the quick, sharp solo emphasizes the quick tempo.
Let It Go is a ballad that features a melodic piano track further emphasized by a brilliant backing guitar track. Jim delivers another emotionally charged vocal performance.
Loaded lifts the energy and the tempo back up. Loaded delivers a head-banging, fist pumping musical track. Jim provides a melodic touch with the catchy chorus. A.D. Zimmer provides the thunder with a pounding and punchy bass track.
Candle is a duet that features Mike Tramp on vocals along with Jim. Candle is a song that Mike Tramp wrote with Freak Of Nature, it appears on the Gathering Of Freaks album. If you haven't heard of this song before you are missing out. Jim's version puts a new spin on the killer track.
1981 sounds like it is from 1981, one of my favorite years for heavy rock music. Colleen Mastrocovo provides a pounding and intense drum track. Jim Crean is seemingly singing about and old flame that he still may hold a candle for. The guitar solo on this track is one of the best on the entire album, absolute shredding! I can envision a massive crowd singing along with the catchy chorus.
Time Will Let You Know is a stylish and sophisticated rock ballad that was written by Robin Zander. Jim delivers the goods once again providing a passionate vocal performance.
A cover of Rod Stewart's Passion is up next. This song features the killer rhythm section of Carmine Appice on drums and Tony Franklin on bass. Jim does a great hard rock version of this song that you can still dance to.
To watch the video on Youtube click on this link https://youtu.be/xJYzNZAYDiQ
Fool delivers an Aerosmith-like punch. Jim shows off his rock vocal chops by expertly singing on this track like only he can. Former Aerosmith member Ray Tabano plays guitar on Fool.
Don't Take Your Love is another duet that features Angel singer Frank DiMino. This song is a classic 70s arena rock anthem. Don't Take Your Love was written by Angel and it appears on the Angel album Sinful.
Tears closes out The London Fog. A heavy guitar track is provided by W.A.S.P. veteran Chris Holmes. Jim belts out a melodic vocal track in perfect contrast to the metallic strings.
Jim Crean's second musical release of 2019 is called Gotcha Covered.
Gotcha Covered is a good mix of popular rock songs and a few lesser-known deep cuts.
The metallic and heavy, Hall Of The Mountain King by Savatage kicks off Gotcha Covered.
Next up is Like The Way I Do by Melissa Etheridge. Jim puts his own unique spin on the song adding a heavy touch.
Hungry by White Lion, Outlaw by The Scream and The Last Time by Badlands are a few songs I've never heard of but after listening to them it's obvious that they are all killer choices.
The popular Lonely Nights by Bryan Adams is rocked up by Crean and Mazzy Star's Fade Into You is a surprising choice. Jim creatively turns the song into a rock ballad.
Bye Bye Love by The Cars draws the listener back in with its familiarity.
Falling In Love by the Scorpions is a song I have always loved and Jim does a stinging version. Jim executes a great version of Saved By Zero by The Fixx.
Fellow hometown heroes the Goo Goo Dolls are next up on the album. Jim keeps the song melodic while making the main riff even stronger and heavier.
Cry No More is a deep cut by the band Arcade. Arcade was fronted by Stephen Pearcy (Ratt) and featured Fred Coury (Cinderella) on drums.
When Heaven Comes Down by Dokken and Love Is Like Oxygen by The Sweet brings everyone back up to speed.
A slammin', hard rock version of 25 or 6 to 4 by Chicago closes out Gotcha Covered in style.