Rockin Jimmy Crimmins
Keepin It Real
© 2003 James J. Crimmins (635759144622)
CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.
One of the most exceptional blues/jazz guitarists on the scene today, delivers a smokin' album of rockin' blues.
tracks
try this
albums you will love
genres you will love
By Location
Recommended if you like ...
notes
Rockin' Jimmy Crimmins -- one of the most exceptional jazz/blues guitarists on the scene today -- was born in Madison, Wis. He started on the instrument early, making his first live appearance at the age of 13. While attending high school and gigging on the weekend, Jimmy became obsessed with learning from the masters. He wore out every B.B. King, Freddy King and Paul Butterfield album he could get his hands on.
Heavy gigging and early influences
After graduation, Jimmy hit the road with the area's most popular blues bands, performing five to six nights a week. Then, one winter's evening in the early '70s, Jimmy's world really turned when he was introduced to George Benson at a Madison coffee house. Already very much into Wes Montgomery and Herb Ellis, that meeting took Jimmy to the next plateau. Later, at a gig in Milwaukee, Jimmy heard that George Pritchett, guitarist with the Buddy Rich band, was teaching at a music store in town. He studied with the dexterous jazz master briefly, while attending the Milwaukee Conservatory of Music.
While learning all he could about Pritchett's effortless command of the fretboard, Jimmy unlocked the secret behind the way masters practice the instrument. This simple secret became the catalyst for Jimmy's first guitar instructional manual -- ROCKIN' JIMMY'S DAILY GUITAR WORKOUT.
Headed for Hollywood
In a quest for more knowledge of the instrument and the music business, Jimmy moved to West Hollywood, Cal., where he landed a position with the world's largest music retailer, Guitar Center Hollywood. There he would learn from the best, see and hear the best and get to play with the best. For 14 years, he hung out with, gigged with and got to understand the inner workings of the hottest musicians on the planet. Jimmy's emotive style landed him on stage with major players -- including the Blues Brothers -- and Jim played the last performance with the duo from Saturday Night Live before frontman John Belushi's death.
Still in love with the blues
The last two years Jimmy's gigged over 300 shows from Buddy Guy's Legends to Luther's Blues, the Jazz Company Disney World and also blues club of the year Blues on Grand.
Today, Jim is back in his home state of Wisconsin where he continues his love affair with the instrument. From his home base in Green Bay, he teaches, records and embarks on tours to the delight of thousands who groove on his sophisticated blues sound infused with soul. A life spent mastering an instrument and a soul full of blues combine to make Jimmy a must-see live and a must-hear on compact digital disc.
In a world of make-believe, Rockin' Jimmy is truly KEEPIN' IT REAL.
reviews
Please log in to review this album.
Legato
author: Roland BowmanWell i bought a Kustom Amp from Jimmy's Music store and I saw him play but with no amp. So i got his card and now I am listening and lemme tell you. I have never heard a picker able to connect the notes so smmoth. Downright like liquid. I really am compelled to hear it again. This cd sure is fine with his excellent singing too. And that Organ(hammond b3?) sure is excellent. I am on track 7,"That Woman" and oh yes the entire thing is red hot. Then "Come Home" is bright sounding and has excelent tone. Im hooked! Roland Bowman
Tone that Grabs Ya
author: markGREAT guitar work here. "Footsteps" is a classic, in the tradition of mid 70's Larry Carlton at his tastiest. The guitar tone is to die for.
Rockin' Jimmy is hot and smooth!
author: MontyVery solid CD. Every track is a listener. I bought this CD after hearing That Woman and found all the music to stand out. This is a tight band and the engineering is well done throughout. I would recommend this CD if you like Blues or Rock. If you like both, you're in luck.
Tasty guitar, nice take on vocals
author: The DaveI stumbled upon Rockin' Jimmy while searching for guitar exercises (he's got a great system out there for hardly any bucks at all). Found his CD on this site and checked out a few sound files. I bought the disc because I liked the guitar playing, which is a truly eclectic mix of blues influences and rock stylings that flow together to create someting (dare I say it?) new in both genres. But Jimmy's vocals have really grown on me over the past couple weeks where his CD has held off all challengers in my car CD player. The band is tight, the recording is well-done and I get the impression that these cats had fun playing together.
Hot as a back alley love affair
author: Johnny MannionRockin' Jimmy Crimmins... "Keepin' It Real"... Bluzone Records... I haven't been this excited about a guitar player since I first heard Warren Haynes some 15 years ago. Jimmy Crimmins is a monster guitar player. He as a great feel for the music and isn't affraid to push the envelope. His solos are huge, swirling, festive, passionate, tasteful and joyful. He has a command of the guitar that comes along every decade or so if we are lucky. He sings with conviction and soul. This CD is a "must have" guitar album... If you are a guitar fan you must have this in your collection. Jimmy is joined on the CD by Tom Reynolds on Keyboards, Craig Panosh on Drums and Jim Denk on Bass. They are a great band and add much to the overall sound. My favorite tunes are, "Making Such A Fuss" which opens with some of the most joyous guitar playing I have heard. "Deep Blue Sea" is a classic slow blues which showcases Jimmy's perfect phrasing and sensuous licks, fat with an edge. "Educated Fool" is a wonderful shuffle and Jimmy scorches this one with his blow torch guitar... the man can play. "That Woman" kills me everytime I listen to it. I wish I had written this song!! I wish I could play guitar like this! "Come Home" is a rhumba in the vein of Albert Kings "Crosscut Saw". Some very tasty understated guitar on this one. The whole CD is just top of the line blues, with guitar playing that can be as tender as a grandmothers hug or as hot as a back alley love affair.. Jimmy Crimmins should be a household name, and I'm sure he soon will be.
Best guitarist I've ever heard,No lie!
author: Dave KrugmanJimmy Crimmins is simply the best guitarist I have ever heard.Walter Trout was my favorite and I didn't think anyone could match his passion but this guy is simply in a league by himself.Highest recommendation.Listen to the sound samples and decide for yourself but for my money Rockin' Jimmy Crimmins is the most passionate and tasteful guitarist around.
THIS CD IS A MUST HAVE!!
author: Tim CI was looking around the internet when I found Rockin' Jimmy Crimmins. I listened to some sound bits from Keepin' It Real, I liked what I heard so I ordered the CD. I was blown away! THIS KAT CAN PLAY & SING!! The CD is straight ahead raw hot rockin' blues with a touch of soul & jazz, no over dubs or processed sounds. Having been an old time touring and studio musician back in the 60s and early 70s I've shared the big stage with some of the best. Rockin' Jimmys' powerful sound, ability to blend blues, soul and jazz with advanced playing techniques, without over complicating the sound, puts him right up there with the Big Boys. Buy this CD, put it on, crank it up and enjoy!!
A sophisticated blues masterpiece
author: Rockin' Jimmy DiscipleThe blues is an idiom that never seems to change much, saving the arrival of newer, younger cats playing the same pentatonic scale. That's why I am so impressed with Jimmy Crimmins. Jimmy's absolute mastery of the fretboard is apparent whether you see him live or listen to this new disc (or one of his older releases with the Blues Weasels). But the more important thing is that he uses that mastery to communicate a depth of feeling and sense of soul absent from all but the finest music. For the first time on this CD, Jimmy creates his own blues world, writing all the songs and handling all the vocal chores in addition to all the guitars. The other players are also beyond reproach as well, particularly blues maven Craig Panosh on drums. But from the cool, literate lyrics (my favorite being the lyrics on the tune Evil Mood) to the graceful yet SCATHING guitar work, this CD leaves a new high water mark for other blues talents to try to match. FAT CHANCE. All I'll say is that SOMEBODY better SIGN this cat FAST.
He nailed this one for sure
author: RandyYa gotta love this guys music. I know I do. I've been listening to Jimmy play for more years than I want to admit. This is his very best work ever and I'm glad I own a piece of it.If you love the blues , you'll love Keepin It Real !!!
One crazy good blues album
author: Southern Cali Tone ConnoisseurI can't emphasize enough how well rounded this cd is. Everyone involved has delivered something special. Jimmy is truely in touch with what the blues is about. In this album he has taken a life time of experience and knowledge and refined it into a phenomenal original blues album. His virtuosity serves only to enhance his emotional expression and never overplays. I've honestly never heard anything like it anywhere else. He plays every pitch and tone with perfect inflection. I recommend this album to anyone who appreciates good music, blues or otherwise.
Gourmet Blues served HOT!!!
author: Dino - Ordinary Average guyChicago is arguably one of the blues meccas of the world, but just further up north by the bay, in a far away place called "Packerland", lives a shaolin blues master by the name of Rockin'Jimmy....Reminiscent of, but not just another clone from the Robben Ford school of badass, RJ's unique legato style of playing meticulously weaves in & out of tastefully thought out "bluescapes". His tenure as all around guitar sage at the Hollywood Guitar Center in LA is evident in his blues approved "fusion" chops, that could very well be served LIVE! ...at the "Baked Potato", one smoldering cut after another!
Truly the REAL DEAL!!!! No cliche's here!
author: Open minded Music EnthusiastJazzy blues? Bluesy Jazz? Who cares?!? This is a 100% unadulterated cliche free ROCKIN' "tone-fest" to all you guitar geeks out there! Most of the tunes have an original & more contemporary flavor yet undoubtably respectful to the blues tradition. Anyone who appreciates GREAT music that transcends silly categorization labels will love this CD!!! I did!