Artist: Jim Crean
Title: Elegance, Excess & Decadence
Band line-up: Jim Crean-vocals, Steve Major-guitar, Roger Banks-drums, Chris Cambon-bass.
Stand out tracks: The Whole World’s Gonna Know, Downed, Cuz You’re Gone
Sounds like: 80’s style rock with an amazing vocalist
Summary: This is a five song EP from Jim Crean, who is a veteran rock vocalist from the Buffalo NY area. This EP consist of four cover tracks that Crean and producer Phil Naro recorded for various tribute CDs and one original, “Past Tense.”
The four cover songs on this CD are from some of the best bands on the face of the planet (well at least my planet). “Cuz Your Gone” from the Goo Goo Dolls is performed as a haunting acoustic ballad. The harmonies on it are just mind blowing. Crean gives this song a whole new dimension with his unique interpretation of it. Johnny Rzeznik would be proud.
“The Whole World is Going to Know” is the hardest driving song on the EP. It was originally a Talas song that Naro use to sing the hell out of back in the early 80’s. Talas founder Billy Sheehan eventually ended up taking that song with him to Mr. Big. And may I be bold enough to say that Crean’s version blows the Mr. Big version away. It not only features Crean at his rocking best, but also showcases the vast guitar prowlness of Steve Major.
“Downed” by Cheap Trick, which is one of the most under appreciated songs in rock history, is performed here with as much emotion and intensity of the original. “Blue Island” from Enuff Z’ Nuff has the swagger of the original with a little more of a melodic take and smooth, velvety vocals. The original track “Past Tense” is an acoustic ballad of heartbreak and despair and demonstrates that Crean is a good songwriter and has much potential.
Overall, this EP shows that Crean is a top notch vocalist and Naro a competent producer. Now let’s hear what this dynamic melodic duo can do with a CD of originals.
Rating out of 10: 8
Review by: Thomas S. Orwat, Jr.
Band site: www.jimcrean.synthasite.com
Enuff Z` Nuff - Tribute: A Tribute To Enuff Z`Nuff |
A true tribute by bands that were either influenced by, knows personally, or just admire. This CD captures the sound that made us all get high on a new thing In the first place. A Tribute To Enuff Znuff! Enuff Z`nuff has always been about the music and nothing else. Throughout their ten studio albums, Chip & Donnie have sustained and evolved the special chemistry that was already apparent on their self-titled debut. Their songwriting skills combined always seems to create something quite special and unique. The great vocal harmonies of lead singer Donnie Vie and bass player Chip Z`nuff would make both Lennon and McCartney proud. Whether you are looking for emotional ballads, powerful rockers or anything in between, the Enuff Z` nuff catalogue has it all. Their music has survived the test of time with long lasting and timeless songs. Now these 14 bands pay tribute to their heroes----Not Lame faves include Barely Pink, Receiver, The Rioteers and The Millions! Track Listing: Thing-dim, Fly High Michelle- The Millions, Baby Loves You-Best Of Seven/backing vocals Donnie Vie, Someday-Shawn Mars(lead vocalist for FastLane Records Mars Needs Women), There Goes My Heart-Crash Kelly, Heaven Or Hell-R5, Aint It Funny-Barely Pink, For Now-Receiver, I Could Never Be Without You-Willie Hines(Former Jet Red Vocalist), Day By Day-WWJLD?(members of New Machine & Mystery Bloom), Blue Island-Jim Crean/Phil Naro, One Step Closer-Zion James, Your Hearts No Good-The Rioteers, Freak-Seven Wishes (Z records) Long Way To Go-Frankenstein 3000, Bonus Track by Donnie Vie/She Forget Demo(Unreleased) |
A Tribute To Enuff Znuff
A Tribute To Enuff Znuff
© 2003 CDS Music
15 Bands Pay Tribute to America's Best kept secret Enuff Znuff. Incredibly catchy.Power Pop, Rock
Here it is....." A Tribute To ENUFF ZNUFF, the way overdue Tribute to America's answer to The Beatles.
A true tribute by bands that were either influenced by, knows personally, or just admire. This CD captures the sound that made us all get high on a "new thing" In the first place. A Tribute To Enuff Znuff
Featuring Some of the best up and coming bands around!!!
Enuff Z'nuff has always been about the music and nothing else. Throughout their ten studio albums, Chip & Donnie have sustained and evolved the special chemistry that was already apparent on their self-titled debut
Their songwriting skills combined always seems to create something quite special and unique. The great vocal harmonies of lead singer Donnie Vie and bass player Chip Z'nuff would make both Lennon and McCartney proud. Whether you are looking for emotional
ballads, powerful rockers or anything in between, the Enuff Z'nuff catalogue has it all. Their music has survived the test of time with long lasting and timeless songs. Now these 14 bands pay tribute to their hero's.
Reviews:
The album includes many top class performances and overall the album surpasses my expectations. The tribute maintains a high standard even though it lacks big shots names on it. In spite of the fact that Enuff Z'nuff never managed to sell shiploads of records, they inspired lots of bands. This is a great way for the included bands to return the favor and salute the band. For a fan it's great to see other bands saluting the band we love so much and thereby giving them recognition.-Revelationz Magazine
"A Tribute To Enuff Z'Nuff" is truly a must have CD for all 80's fans & Enuff Z'Nuff fans. Each of the songs holds enough resemblance to the originals to keep the listener interested and singing along. However, each band's performance hides within it a slight style of their own. Whether it's kicking up the tempo, hanging onto a note just a little longer, or just the difference in lead vocals, these bands have given us a taste of their own talents combined with the much loved talent of Enuff Z'nuff.-Wild Cauldren.com
I must admit that I'm not a Enuff Z Nuff fan, although their last album really impressed. So the prospect of reviewing a Enuff Tribute album wasn't overly appealing.
But for all involved on this - some credit is well deserved. This sounds pretty good and as far as these ears can tell, pays good homage to the band's legacy. Melodicrock.com
Tribute albums are pretty easy to review. Unless the bands featured are well known, the intended audience is obvious, so really it's just a matter of how the performances and production stack up. Really, I'm incredibly impressed by this tribute album, which contains some very cool, well done covers-Anti-Music.com
TRACKS:
|
|
V.A.: A Tribute To Enuff Z'Nuff
(CD Smash Records USA)
Auch wenn es wohl inkonsequent ist, da sich der Verfasser dieser Zeilen grundsätzlich gegen diese Art von Tribute-Alben aussprach, erscheinen bei diesem Update gleich zwei derartige CDs, und hier habe ich die rosarote (in diesem Fall wohl eher die giftgrüne) Sonnenbrille auf! Aber die Band verfügt in Europa über einen kleinen Haufen absoluter Fanatiker speziell in Dänemark, so dass es kein Wunder ist, dass die Liner-Notes von meinem alten Kumpel Michael Bendixen vom RevelationZ (Web-) Magazin verfasst wurden - Well done, Michael!!
Die 16 Tracks erschienen bei dem kleinen Label CD Smash und dies ist übrigens nicht die einzige Tribute-CD an die Band, es gibt noch eine weitere, was demonstriert, wie einflussreich und stilprägend die Band doch war und ist.
Die Auswahl der Songs stimmt in 5 Positionen mit den in etwa zeitgleich Ende 2003 veröffentlichten "Favorites" überein, und anders als ein Track by Track-Review geht es wohl nicht:
Eine Formation namens dim (ja, kleingeschrieben) nahm sich des ersten Hits "New Thing" an, und diese Version ist nahezu 95% identisch mit dem Original, faszinierend wie die das hinbekommen haben, incl. Chorusse, schön. Die 2. Single, auch vom Debut, "Fly High Michelle" wird von einer Band namens THE MILLIONS gespielt - Achtung, das ist NICHT die gleichnamige Band, die 1991 auf Polydor ihr Debut vorlegte, jene hatte eine Sängerin. Ebenfalls gut gespielt, leicht rauer Gesang, angenehm, aber mit kratzigem seltsamem Ausklang. "Baby Loves You" wird von einer Band namens BEST OF SEVEN gecovert und Donnie Vie selbst singt hier als Gast mit, weicht auch nicht viel vom Original ab. "Someday" dann von SHAWN MARS, der gleichnamige Mensch spielt auf dem ruhigen tollen Song, der ohne Drums auskommt, alles selbst ein, gelungen. Die Band CRASH KELLY, die ENUFF Z'NUFF schon supported haben, kümmern sich um "There Goes My Heart" von "10" aus dem Jahre 2000, kommt etwas verhalten, aber dennoch sympathisch rüber. "Heaven Or Hell" wird von R50 akzeptabel nachgespielt. "Ain't It Funny" ist einer meiner absoluten Lieblingssongs und nun drehen ihn BARELY PINK zu Beginn durch eine Schleudertrommel, aber diese Version hat was, Brian Merill ist der erste Sänger, dessen Stimme arg differiert von Donnies und wenn man sich mal daran gewöhnt hat, macht das richtig Spaß. Bei RECEIVER, die "For Now" ... na ja verhunzen, möchte ich schon fast sagen, wird's zum einzigen Mal unangenehm, der Sänger ist "out of key": Aua!! "I Could Never Be Without You" von WILLIE HINES entschädigt einen dann wieder, ein vom Gesang her sicher nicht einfach zu interpretierendes Lied (vom Debut von 1989), das die Herren in einer Akustik-Version vortragen. Es folgt "Day By Day", keine Ahnung was der Bandname von WWJLD bedeutet, kann man sich anhören, viele Gitarren, auch akustisch. So, jetzt kommt endlich mal jemand, den ich kenne: Der Kanadier PHIL NARO bekannt von seiner Band NARO und auch der Band 24K: Er hat sich zusammen mit Jim Crean den Track "Blue Island" von "Strength" ausgesucht. Kurioserweise singt Phil nur Backings, Jim macht seine Sache gut, der Track ebenfalls unplugged. "One Step Closer" vom "Animals ..."-Album wird von ZION JAMES gecovert, die Version zieht sich etwas zähflüssig wie Kaugummi dahin, an die leichten Country-Untertöne kann man sich schlecht gewöhnen. THE RIOTEERS' Version von "Your Hearts No Good" fällt in dieselbe Kategorie: lahmarschig. Ganz im Gegensatz zu den Schweden SEVEN WISHES, die es dann in "Freak" richtig krachen lassen. Auch wenn die bezaubernde Drummerin Linda Gustavson nicht mehr in der Band ist, die damals am 08.09.2001 übrigens zusammen mit ENUFF Z'NUFF auch ihren bis dato ebenfalls einzigen Deutschland-Auftritt in Mannheim hatten, das Quartett transportiert den Track in eine Heavy-Metal-Version, die über eine Minute länger als das Original ist! Sogar ein Live-Stück ist vertreten und ich behaupte, hier ist ein Fehler auf der CD oder es hat jemand ans Mischpult gestumpt, denn es ruckelt! Das bei dem Track "Long Way To Go" von FRANKENSTEIN 3000. Was einen etwas konsterniert, ist, dass bei dem letzten Stück, dem nicht allzu aufregenden Bonus-Song von Donnie Vie, "She Forgets" der Sound schlechter wird, das ist schon eigenartig, denn die komplette CD besitzt durchgehend einen (normalisierten) guten Klang, was ja schwer genug ist bei 15 verschiedenen Studios. Nichtsdestotrotz ein erfrischendes Album, das nicht jeder hat, aber wohl nur die o.E. Minderheitengruppe interessiert.
Bandkontakt: http://www.enuffznuff.com
Labelkontakt: http://www.cdsmashrecords.com
Tracklist:
New Thing
Fly High Michelle
Baby Loves You
Someday
There Goes My Heart
Heaven Or Hell
Ain't It Funny
For Now
I Could Never Be Without You
Day By Day
Blue Island
One Step Closer
Your Hearts No Good
Freak
Long Way To Go
Bonus: She Forgets
Don Mancuso featuring Lou Gramm
D:Drive
© 2005 Don Mancuso
Hard Rock/Classic Rock
tracks
Don Mancuso's D:Drive project was put into motion upon the completion of recording tracks for Phil Naro's last release Glass Mountain at Wellesley Studio in Toronto Canada.
Don and long time friend Phil Naro decided to join forces with Steve Major as co-writer/producer. Once 5 of the ideas were etched out and basic tracks recorded, Don's
Friend/Ex-Foreigner/Black Sheep singer Lou Gramm was in town on break from the last Lou Gramm Band tour and gave the tunes a listen. He was so impressed at what he heard that he asked if there was any way that he could come in as a guest vocalist/co-writer. The rest of the story is documented on this hard rocking CD. Lou and Don had written "Wait till the Sun Goes Down" during the Foreigner 4 tour and decided to put that one on as well as some great tunes written by Naro and Mancuso and a remake of the Beatles "Hey Bull Dog". On the song "Your Never Alone" (which was written for a friend dying of cancer) extra contributions came from long time friend/producer/musician Tony Gross of GFI Studio.
The core band consists of Don Mancuso (Black Sheep, Cheater, Linda Rutherford & Celtic Fire, Lou Gramm Band) Phil Naro (Talas, Peter Cris, 24 K), Lou Gramm ( Black Sheep, Foreigner, Shadow King, Lou Gramm Band), Dave Quick (Kid Kurry Band), Joe Lana (Uncle Plum), Andy Knoll (Lou Gramm Band) and Richard Gramm (Black Sheep, Lou Gramm Band).
Other guest musicians appearing on the CD are: Jeff Cosco, Jim Crean, Jessie Hamilton, Larry Crozier and Brian Eggleston.
For more details and purchase info refer to www.donmancuso.com
Website BIO
Born in Rochester, New York Don Mancuso has been firmly entrenched in the music scene since the day he picked up his first guitar. By age 18, he was playing professionally with blues rock band Black Sheep, which featured Lou Gramm who eventually became the voice of super-group Foreigner. Black Sheep toured nationally opening for Procol Harem, Ted Nugent, Argent, Hall & Oats, Peter Frampton and Kiss to name a few.
Black Sheep was the first American act signed to Chrysalis Records and released one single on this label before releasing 2 albums on Capital Records. Don was a major contributor to the writing on these efforts.
Following the disbanding of Black Sheep Don explored rock/fusion with a group called Aurora along with studying classical guitar and doing studio work in NYC with Ian Lloyd of Stories.
Within a year, Don moved on to another group which quickly took the Northeast by storm called Cheater. Cheater released a 10 inch EP called Ten Cent Love Affair which brought them to the forefront of the regional music scene.
Don was once again working with Lou Gramm on pre-production and recording of the album Ready Or Not.
Recording projects since then include Imaginary Few, Johnny Smoke, Linda Rutherford & Celtic Fire (who appeared at Woodstock 99 for amp3.com on the emerging artist stage), Steve Robb "Under This Roof" (Gospel recording), Red Heart "Bridge", Don Mancuso "Now You See It" (solo album), Phil Naro "Glass Mountain" and Jessica Hamilton.
Presently Don has completed and released his second solo endeavor entitled "D:DRIVE", which features Lou Gramm, Phil Naro, Jeff Cosco, Jessica Hamilton, Dave Quick, Joe Lana, Larry Crozier, Brian Egglestein and Andy Knoll.
Don continues to add the golden touch that has provided a creative edge to every venture he's been involved with. Don has been called up! He is now playing guitar for the Lou Gramm Band Tour! His versatility, professionalism and incredible artistry have made him one of the most respected and admired guitarists on the national music scene and among his peers.
Straight Up The Middle
 |
Straight Up The Middle Format: CD Artist/Author: D:DRIVE - Don Mancuso with Lou Gramm |
TANGO DOWN - Take OneUS Release : KR027
|
|
|
|
| In a market where the main focus on albums has become polished glossed over production and less about the attitude, enter TANGO DOWN! A band that is going to Kick the door in with a BANG old school style! Comprised of some familar faces to the Melodicrock.com market, Adriangale-Lead Guitarist Scott Rif Miller. Off the heels of AG's latest success CRUNCH, has joined forces with none other then vocalist- Phil Naro of TALAS/24K fame. Accompanying them is bassit Chris Konys of No MOre Johnny and drummer Keith Michaels of Livesay. All together, they bring a fresh sound with their hard hitting blend of VAN HALEN, TESLA, JOHN SYKES rock. In your face guitars and BIG vocals are what is on order here, and will bring you back to the days of VH Panama and Tesla's Hang Tough. Throw in a touch of bands like DOKKEN and John SYkes and you have a album that will remind you what its all about, ATTITUDE and rock n roll. This album was a labor of love where the FUN factor was put first, above all else! It’s only Rock N Roll!!! Enjoy, TANGO DOWN did! | |
