Cregan & Co. - all new song with the Elton/Orbison connection...
CREGAN & CO. 'Shane'
Available now via iTunes, Spotify etc
The next all-new, original recording for the ‘Rod Stewart Songbook’ band. Jim Cregan book in progress…
“If you can’t afford my tickets go see these guys...They’re just as good and half the price !!” (Rod Stewart)
“BAND OF THE WEEKEND” Giants of Rock
"...one of the unexpected highlights of the whole weekend... 20,000 people up dancing and singing" (Cropredy review, Get Ready To Rock! )
Formed by Rod Stewart’s guitarist and collaborative songwriter, Jim Cregan, Cregan & Co. celebrate from 1977 to the present day with an evening of Rod’s hit songs.
Former Family and Cockney Rebel guitarist Jim joined Rod Stewart's band in 1977 and became his musical director, co-producer and co-writer. Cregan co-penned many hits with Stewart, including ‘Passion’, ‘Tonight I'm Yours (Don't Hurt Me)’, and ‘Forever Young’. Jim is a world class guitarist and has written for many other rock and pop stars, including Joe Cocker, Art Garfunkel and Steve Harley .
Now, following the release of 'Dont Listen!' their first, all-original new recording earlier this year - comes 'Shane'. Jim Cregan explained the story behind the song, co-written with Elton John/Alice Cooper/Starship/Heart lyricist, Bernie Taupin: " Bernie and I originally wrote the song for Roy Orbison, but just before we could play it to him, he died.I put it in a drawer and when Cregan & Co. were going start the new album I found it. I played it to Pat Davey, our bass player, during a break in recording and he said we should cut it. We did, that same day."
"Meanwhile after a concert on the Isle of Wight we meet the local radio presenter", Jim goes on, "" - they're also my local station - he loves the band and we get into a conversation about the new record. I play him 'Shane' and he wants it. Especially with the story about Roy Orbison. He thinks it would make a great tease for the summer months if he plays the song but doesn’t reveal who wrote it or the artist. This becomes a game between him and his listeners until Sept 24th, with our singer Ben Mills and I in the studio, he reveals who it is. We play it live and the phones ring off the hook from people loving it!."
The Band:
Drummer Harry James is renowned for his work with legendary rock band Thunder as well as drumming with Steve Harley, Jon Lord and Glenn Hughes amongst many others. He also occupies the drum stool for Magnum and Snakecharmer (alongside Whitesnake's Neil Murray & Laurie Wisefield of Wishbone Ash). Cregan & Co. bass player Pat Davey has toured the world with the Tom Robinson Band, Zoot Money, Jason Rebello and Rumer, as well as jazz greats like Ronnie Scott, or vintage rockers like pianist Roy Young.
Pianist Sam Tanner has also worked with Pete Townsend & Roger Daltrey (The Who), Jeff Beck, Mike Rutherford (Genesis), John Lodge (Moody Blues), Mick Hucknall (Simply Red) and Paul Carrack. Sam was delighted to be asked in 2015 to play piano with The Faces, only the second pianist to ever have that honour, replacing founder member, the late Ian McLagan. Sam was recommended for the job by Jim, Kenney Jones and Robin Le Mesurier, who have all played with The Faces' Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood on various occasions. This was Pat Davey’s second outing at Hurtwood Park, and with Geoff Dunn (drums) formed the backbone of the house band. On top of all of that, Sam fronts his own Funk-Soul band, 'Brother Strut' - whose debut album topped the iTunes Chart.
Singer Ben Mills was awarded a Platinum album for his debut release which charted at Number 3 in the Official UK Album Charts. Equally at home on both guitar and piano he has worked with musical legends Tony Bennett and Barry Manilow and written songs with Mark Owen (Take That). In 2006 Ben reached the final of X-Factor alongside Leona Lewis, winning accolades from Simon Cowell for his gravelly, soulful voice.Ben has his own band and performs all over the world.
"... headliners Cregan & Co really took the bull by the horns; Jim Cregan smashing out those classic Rod Stewart songs he co-wrote, played on and produced. Heads up goes to Ben Mills on vocals. this man is the real deal what a set of lungs! I wasn’t around to see Rod in his heyday - but this I think is as close as I am going to get!" (Cambridge Rock Festival review)
“Together, they soar, that great Rod Stewart sound conjured up by the guys who created it.”
(Southampton review)
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'LIVE' IN 2018 -
