Customer Reviews

Cantos (Dig)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Just like many of you I am a fan of the first three records and above all AJ's raspy voice.
But that voice will NEVER come back, so we may as well stop complain about it and focus on the songs and try and get used to AJ's wider vocal spectrum.
On CANTOS, we get lots of piano and classic guitar back, and that is already an improvement over the past two records. Next, the songs are better imo, allthough I do not like that 'Beatles' sound that still pops up now and then .... miss the bluesy/jazzy influences. Because of his great piano playing, every now and then that NO Funk is back in, ie another positive point.
I wouldn't put CANTOS up there with 'Me In The Bar' or 'Fit To Serve', but maybe that is because also I still miss that raspy voice.
The songs are there, the piano is there and so are the guitars .... so let's get used to the 'new' voice.
To me CANTOS is GOOD, and that's why it get's the 3 stars.
Mind that 'good' is still lots better than most releases I have heard this year.

I bought this c.d. for my husband for Father's day. He had found one song of A.J. Croce that he really liked. We knew nothing about the rest of the c.d., but the whole c.d. is excellent!!! Nice suprise! What was a gift for my husband is now something that we both enjoy! You always feel like you got your money's worth when the whole c.d. is enjoyable!
Highly recommend!

I know many people miss the old AJ, but I personally like his new vocal range. I saw him play in Chicago last summer and he did a great job. Hats off to you AJ for another great album.

Cantos is a treat, for old fans and new fans alike. A.J. comes right out of the gate displaying his piano-man chops on "Time Will Tell." The next track, "Play," is another radio-ready tune with an assist from Ben Harper, and "Until We Meet Again" is a senior class song just waiting to happen.

"When I'm Gone" is a fun, up-tempo pop tune, as is "I Should Have Known." On both of these songs, A.J. lets loose on the piano, if only for a few seconds, giving us a tiny taste of his true talent. [...]

McCartney-esque melodies and falsettos haunt the whole disc, but for those who miss the obvious similarities, A.J. provides a respectful remake of "Maybe I'm Amazed." For my money, the homegrown "One and Only" is a more fitting tribute to A.J.'s muse.

A.J. Croce is a talented singer, songwriter, and musician, and I can't wait to hear what he comes out with next. My only question is why isn't this guy on the radio?? In track 2 he sings, "I just want to play the game." I say we ought to let him.

For fans of AJ's (now legendary) first cd this is a trip back in time. You'll find more more piano oriented stuff here than the last record. You will also find AJ the singer coming to the forefront. He's taking more chances vocally and it pays off in spades. Falsetto is a place AJ really never gone before but here he is and it's wonderful. A cover of the Wings/McCartney classic "Maybe I'm Amazed" fits perfectly on this set. This is just another fantastic offering from the guy Willie Nelson says holds the future of entertainment and Ben Harper (who appears on the cd...) says is one of the top 3 musicians he's ever worked with.
Buy it.
Darrin Harvey
www.soundscanadian.ca

Cantos Is without a doubt the most intimate recording to date. It feels like you are sitting in a living room listening to a private concert. The songs have a certain simplicity that is at once sincere, charming and deceiving. While they all have universal themes lyrically, musically there is a raw sophistication that has grown with every release.