JIMI JAMISON INTERVIEW 27 Nov 2009

[bomes]

Part I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RF94gMd ... re=related

Part II

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6D8Lrs8 ... re=related

[PianoMan1986]

Thanks for posting this. I was a bit surprised to see that Jimi smokes -- well, it surprises me when anyone who is a singer does, but maybe that's just me.

[Joe Vana]

Thanks for posting this. I was a bit surprised to see that Jimi smokes -- well, it surprises me when anyone who is a singer does, but maybe that's just me.

He has smoked for years...I laughed everytime I read someone saying he didn't....but it is cool, the tone of his voice is still him!!! He did an amazing job on CM...so smoke away Jimi!!!

JV

[MarcelJordan]

Thanks for posting this. I was a bit surprised to see that Jimi smokes -- well, it surprises me when anyone who is a singer does, but maybe that's just me.

He has smoked for years...I laughed everytime I read someone saying he didn't....but it is cool, the tone of his voice is still him!!! He did an amazing job on CM...so smoke away Jimi!!!

JV

Guess it works for him, like smoking pot worked wonders for others....when it came to songwriting.

[PianoMan1986]

Thanks for posting this. I was a bit surprised to see that Jimi smokes -- well, it surprises me when anyone who is a singer does, but maybe that's just me.

He has smoked for years...I laughed everytime I read someone saying he didn't....but it is cool, the tone of his voice is still him!!! He did an amazing job on CM...so smoke away Jimi!!!

JV

Always good to hear from you Joe. As long as he can still deliver and his health is good enough for him -- he still has that soul as well as grit that he can throw in and I agree with you on CM too.

[Joe Vana]

Thanks for posting this. I was a bit surprised to see that Jimi smokes -- well, it surprises me when anyone who is a singer does, but maybe that's just me.

He has smoked for years...I laughed everytime I read someone saying he didn't....but it is cool, the tone of his voice is still him!!! He did an amazing job on CM...so smoke away Jimi!!!

JV

Always good to hear from you Joe. As long as he can still deliver and his health is good enough for him -- he still has that soul as well as grit that he can throw in and I agree with you on CM too.

You too!

To be honest....I actuallly find his vocals on CM to be MORE impressive than that of alot of his Survivor material, because his is at an age when most guys are tore up, used up and faking it....this album does not have a bad vocal note on it....yes it is auto tuned...so what? The tone of his voice is still him....He sounded like a wounded dog on Reach, and yet sounds like a tiger on CM if I can use a pun....

There is a thread...JJ, Reach vs. Crossroads Moment.

To me there is NO comparison
........

JV

[PianoMan1986]

Thanks for posting this. I was a bit surprised to see that Jimi smokes -- well, it surprises me when anyone who is a singer does, but maybe that's just me.

He has smoked for years...I laughed everytime I read someone saying he didn't....but it is cool, the tone of his voice is still him!!! He did an amazing job on CM...so smoke away Jimi!!!

JV

Always good to hear from you Joe. As long as he can still deliver and his health is good enough for him -- he still has that soul as well as grit that he can throw in and I agree with you on CM too.

You too!

To be honest....I actuallly find his vocals on CM to be MORE impressive than that of alot of his Survivor material, because his is at an age when most guys are tore up, used up and faking it....this album does not have a bad vocal note on it....yes it is auto tuned...so what? The tone of his voice is still him....He sounded like a wounded dog on Reach, and yet sounds like a tiger on CM if I can use a pun....

There is a thread...JJ, Reach vs. Crossroads Moment.

To me there is NO comparison
........

JV

I think, for lack of better wording, there's a freshness to CM compared to the past. If I remember correctly, Jimi made a comment that Jim (Peterik) knew how to push and get the best out of him and his voice. I agree on his tone/timbre as well. Admittedly, I haven't listened to Reach since it came out...just sounds dry and forced or slapped together -- obviously his heart wasn't in it.

[7 Wishes]

Reach was the first and only time I have been disappointed in Frankie's writing and lack of memorable riffs. Here's hoping the new material rocks like the days of old.

[axecrew]

Thanks for posting this. I was a bit surprised to see that Jimi smokes -- well, it surprises me when anyone who is a singer does, but maybe that's just me.

He has smoked for years...I laughed everytime I read someone saying he didn't....but it is cool, the tone of his voice is still him!!! He did an amazing job on CM...so smoke away Jimi!!!

JV

Always good to hear from you Joe. As long as he can still deliver and his health is good enough for him -- he still has that soul as well as grit that he can throw in and I agree with you on CM too.

You too!

To be honest....I actuallly find his vocals on CM to be MORE impressive than that of alot of his Survivor material, because his is at an age when most guys are tore up, used up and faking it....this album does not have a bad vocal note on it....yes it is auto tuned...so what? The tone of his voice is still him....He sounded like a wounded dog on Reach, and yet sounds like a tiger on CM if I can use a pun....

There is a thread...JJ, Reach vs. Crossroads Moment.

To me there is NO comparison
........

JV

Joe, who produced "reach"?

[Joe Vana]

Thanks for posting this. I was a bit surprised to see that Jimi smokes -- well, it surprises me when anyone who is a singer does, but maybe that's just me.

He has smoked for years...I laughed everytime I read someone saying he didn't....but it is cool, the tone of his voice is still him!!! He did an amazing job on CM...so smoke away Jimi!!!

JV

Always good to hear from you Joe. As long as he can still deliver and his health is good enough for him -- he still has that soul as well as grit that he can throw in and I agree with you on CM too.

You too!

To be honest....I actuallly find his vocals on CM to be MORE impressive than that of alot of his Survivor material, because his is at an age when most guys are tore up, used up and faking it....this album does not have a bad vocal note on it....yes it is auto tuned...so what? The tone of his voice is still him....He sounded like a wounded dog on Reach, and yet sounds like a tiger on CM if I can use a pun....

There is a thread...JJ, Reach vs. Crossroads Moment.

To me there is NO comparison
........

JV

Joe, who produced "reach"?

I am sure you know the answer to that already....and I have spent extensive time with both guys behind the glass and them producing me on vocals.....and I have a definate educated opinion on who is a better vocal producer....

JV

[MarcelJordan]

Thanks for posting this. I was a bit surprised to see that Jimi smokes -- well, it surprises me when anyone who is a singer does, but maybe that's just me.

He has smoked for years...I laughed everytime I read someone saying he didn't....but it is cool, the tone of his voice is still him!!! He did an amazing job on CM...so smoke away Jimi!!!

JV

Always good to hear from you Joe. As long as he can still deliver and his health is good enough for him -- he still has that soul as well as grit that he can throw in and I agree with you on CM too.

You too!

To be honest....I actuallly find his vocals on CM to be MORE impressive than that of alot of his Survivor material, because his is at an age when most guys are tore up, used up and faking it....this album does not have a bad vocal note on it....yes it is auto tuned...so what? The tone of his voice is still him....He sounded like a wounded dog on Reach, and yet sounds like a tiger on CM if I can use a pun....

There is a thread...JJ, Reach vs. Crossroads Moment.

To me there is NO comparison
........

JV

Joe, who produced "reach"?

I am sure you know the answer to that already....and I have spent extensive time with both guys behind the glass and them producing me on vocals.....and I have a definate educated opinion on who is a better vocal producer....

JV

JV since on this "vocal producer" subject, who is your pick on being the BEST vocal producer in this genre and business? My choice goes to Ron Nevison.

Justin

[Joe Vana]

Thanks for posting this. I was a bit surprised to see that Jimi smokes -- well, it surprises me when anyone who is a singer does, but maybe that's just me.

He has smoked for years...I laughed everytime I read someone saying he didn't....but it is cool, the tone of his voice is still him!!! He did an amazing job on CM...so smoke away Jimi!!!

JV

Always good to hear from you Joe. As long as he can still deliver and his health is good enough for him -- he still has that soul as well as grit that he can throw in and I agree with you on CM too.

You too!

To be honest....I actuallly find his vocals on CM to be MORE impressive than that of alot of his Survivor material, because his is at an age when most guys are tore up, used up and faking it....this album does not have a bad vocal note on it....yes it is auto tuned...so what? The tone of his voice is still him....He sounded like a wounded dog on Reach, and yet sounds like a tiger on CM if I can use a pun....

There is a thread...JJ, Reach vs. Crossroads Moment.

To me there is NO comparison
........

JV

Joe, who produced "reach"?

I am sure you know the answer to that already....and I have spent extensive time with both guys behind the glass and them producing me on vocals.....and I have a definate educated opinion on who is a better vocal producer....

JV

JV since on this "vocal producer" subject, who is your pick on being the BEST vocal producer in this genre and business? My choice goes to Ron Nevison.

Justin

Depends on alot of factors.....JP is a WORLD CLASS vocal producer as an example.....I have heard from some complaints about the vocal production on Mecca, as far as some extraineous sounds and effect selection....but as I listened to the album last week (first time in years) I finally see what he was going for, and it all makes sense now....he lets the singer SING, he cuts ya loose and then reigns you in to a degree that is natural yet within the singers range.....I really feel that is his strongest talent (besides pure co-songwriting).....overall production we definaltely have a different vision, but he is an amazing vocal producer....just ask Thom Griffin, who as far as talent level of a singer is probably in the top 10 in the world, no shit...he really is....but ask him about JP's vocal production...and I am sure he will agree...and shit, just ask JJ....I am sure he will agree JP is an amazing vocal producer as well....alot of guys think they are the shit, but only a true few really are as far as vocal production....I am thrilled to have worked with some really gifted ones over the years....FS included.....

JV

[MarcelJordan]

Thanks Joe for the "education" on vocal producer. JP is certainly up there with the best then.

I'd have to say that in WSC album, Man Against The World has the smoothest and classy sound to it. In the credits it states JP produced that particular one. Too cool!

MJ

[Joe Vana]

Thanks Joe for the "education" on vocal producer. JP is certainly up there with the best then.

I'd have to say that in WSC album, Man Against The World has the smoothest and classy sound to it. In the credits it states JP produced that particular one. Too cool!

MJ

I think that is his fav Survivor tune as well....JV

[Joe Vana]

Thanks for posting this. I was a bit surprised to see that Jimi smokes -- well, it surprises me when anyone who is a singer does, but maybe that's just me.

He has smoked for years...I laughed everytime I read someone saying he didn't....but it is cool, the tone of his voice is still him!!! He did an amazing job on CM...so smoke away Jimi!!!

JV

Always good to hear from you Joe. As long as he can still deliver and his health is good enough for him -- he still has that soul as well as grit that he can throw in and I agree with you on CM too.

You too!

To be honest....I actuallly find his vocals on CM to be MORE impressive than that of alot of his Survivor material, because his is at an age when most guys are tore up, used up and faking it....this album does not have a bad vocal note on it....yes it is auto tuned...so what? The tone of his voice is still him....He sounded like a wounded dog on Reach, and yet sounds like a tiger on CM if I can use a pun....

There is a thread...JJ, Reach vs. Crossroads Moment.

To me there is NO comparison
........

JV

Joe, who produced "reach"?

I am sure you know the answer to that already....and I have spent extensive time with both guys behind the glass and them producing me on vocals.....and I have a definate educated opinion on who is a better vocal producer....

JV

JV since on this "vocal producer" subject, who is your pick on being the BEST vocal producer in this genre and business? My choice goes to Ron Nevison.

Justin

I have recieved a few private messages...I DO hold FS in very Hi regard as a vocal producer....but, I cut my teeth with JP and worked with him wayyy more is all.....JV

[Ehwmatt]

JP is indeed an incredible vocal producer. Love hearing your take on it Joe.

[axecrew]

Yes Joe we ALL know who produced reach. So far what we've established is that Reach sucks,The vocal production blew. And the writing was sub-par at best. All validatinmg what I have said all along, and been chastsized for by "certain" others. Glad to see the you've finally put Jim up where he belongs, as the creative force behind the Survivor sound both on paper and "behind the glass".See I can use cute little musician jargon also.lol. I'll await the almighty's response(Sorry Joe not talking about you lol).

[Joe Vana]

Yes Joe we ALL know who produced reach. So far what we've established is that Reach sucks,The vocal production blew. And the writing was sub-par at best. All validatinmg what I have said all along, and been chastsized for by "certain" others. Glad to see the you've finally put Jim up where he belongs, as the creative force behind the Survivor sound both on paper and "behind the glass".See I can use cute little musician jargon also.lol. I'll await the almighty's response(Sorry Joe not talking about you lol).

As far as Survivor goes I still feel it was a collective....FS and JP TOGETHER embody the life and soul of that band....I could care less who was "Kirk" and who was "Spock"....but together those two had something that is impossible to recreate or replicate...

I really miss those days today....especially today...

JV

[Jeremy Holiday]

deleted

[Ehwmatt]

The lead guitar tone on Talkin Bout Love is just flat out bizarre, especially when he does the fast picking. Very strange.

[Red13JoePa]

I think the lead vocal on Jamison's Fire Makes Steel is phenomenal....passion, menace, little bit of grit adn the classic Jamison resonance and the growl of the line No Pain No Gain gives chills. It was an up and down vocal effort, I guess, on Reach overall with his strength, no surprise, being on the rockers (FMS, title track, Don't Give Up).

[Slander]

I think the lead vocal on Jamison's Fire Makes Steel is phenomenal....passion, menace, little bit of grit adn the classic Jamison resonance and the growl of the line No Pain No Gain gives chills. It was an up and down vocal effort, I guess, on Reach overall with his strength, no surprise, being on the rockers (FMS, title track, Don't Give Up).

Hi Red,

It's been a while, but I couldn't agree with you more. While Reach is not even close to being my favorite Survivor album there are some good moments on it. Love the title track and Gimme The Word is fantastic. I don't care what anyone says. FS, Jimi can be proud of that one. As far as I'm concerned it ranks right up there with some of the classic tracks of all-time.

[Red13JoePa]

[ Gimme The Word is fantastic. I don't care what anyone says. FS, Jimi can be proud of that one.

Much agreed on Give Me The World.

"An inspiration in the making!" good lyric

[Joe Vana]

[ Gimme The Word is fantastic. I don't care what anyone says. FS, Jimi can be proud of that one.

Much agreed on Give Me The World.

"An inspiration in the making!" good lyric

Great Great tune...my favorite alone with Seconds Away off of Reach....JV

[Slander]

As far as Survivor goes I still feel it was a collective....FS and JP TOGETHER embody the life and soul of that band....I could care less who was "Kirk" and who was "Spock"....but together those two had something that is impossible to recreate or replicate...

I really miss those days today....especially today...

JV

Well said Joe!

[Saint John]

I've long been a Frankie detractor, but I'm starting to realize that his guitar is the backbone of the Survivor sound as far as musical instruments go. His style is extremely "camouflaged" at times and at others times unique, but it's always essential to their sound.

[Red13JoePa]

Yep he's come up w/ some amazing and unique hooks on guitar.
I mean, EOTT is quintisenntial NOW but think of that staccatto slashing (as Jeremy H brilliantly described it in the sleeve notes to Ultimates)...that was totally original sounding. It threw you totally off in a good way following abruptly after the classic Frankie tonal picking that drives the rythym track. I've long been a detractor too as a bandmate/leader but as a guitarist I cannot find fault.

[7 Wishes]

There's no denying his brilliance as a performer and songwriter.

[Jeremy Holiday]

There's no denying his brilliance as a performer and songwriter.

+1

[MarcelJordan]

Gimme the Word is definitely up there with Survivor's rocking best. The way Frankie's tuned the guitar (someone tell me which one he's using please), and it's unmistakeable pure Frankie and intense! (although I would have preferred having it a bit more front-just a minute complaint).

It also helps that JJ had a more raw vocal, that totally befits the tune, IMO.

On a personal note, it's the guitar sound that pulls me into Survivor more than anything else. Very much like Journey as far as I'm concerned.

MJ