Customer Reviews

Classic Hits of Jim Croce

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For a long time, the "Photographs and Memories" album was the best Croce collection to own and that was topped by the Dunhill gold disc "24 Karat Gold in a Bottle" that contained so many more important Croce tracks than "P&M". But "24 Karat" was pricey and is now out of print. Rhino comes to the rescue with a near perfect 20 track compilation. The perfection of Croce classics like "Photographs and Memories", "Time in a Bottle", "Lover's Cross", "These Dreams" and "I'll Have To Say I Love You in a Song" have remained unmatched in pop music for over 30 years. Upbeat tracks like "You Don't Mess Around With Jim", "Rapid Roy", and "Workin' at the Car Wash Blues" show that Croce was more than a gifted composer of love songs and sad ballads but also equally adept at constructing story songs that were injected with humor. Two of the best tracks he recorded during his brief career at ABC records, "Roller Derby Queen" and "One Less Set of Footsteps" are even more evidence of his versatility. The hauntingly somber piano ballad, "Salon and Saloon", composed by Croce's guitarist who also perished in the plane crash that claimed Croce's life is a great addition to this collection. If I could add anything to this compilation it would be "Speedball Tucker" and "Box #10" but this is still the very best single disc Croce collection available.
I'm sure that these amazingly moving and very original recordings will be winning new fans for as long as music goes on.

"Classic Hits Of Jim Croce" is yet another collection from the late great folksinger Jim Croce. Croce, who died in the early seventy's was one that decade's most gifted singer/songwriters. This collection contains his most memorable songs such as "Time In A Bottle", "Operator", "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown", "I Got A Name", "Lover's Cross", "Photograph's & Memories", "One Less Set Of Footsteps", "Rapid Roy (The Stock Car Boy)", "You Don't Mess Around With Jim" plus many more. The only difference between this collection and the "Photographs & Memories His Greatest Hits" cd is that there are seven more songs on this latest compilation. The sound quality is superb due to remastering, Jim Croce certainly never sounded better. If you enjoy listening to artists such as Seals & Crofts, James Taylor, Dan Fogelberg, Gordon Lightfoot, Cat Stevens and Paul Simon then this collection is a must have.

This Greatest Hits album could be called Sing Along with Jim Croce - the songs are just so foot-tapping that it's hard to resist!

You've got Bad, Bad Leroy Brown, who's meaner than a junkyard dog. I love this song, the imagery is right there and quite fun too. It falls into the "Mack the Knife" category :)

Then you've got "Operator", another classic story telling of a guy who is trying to get over the pain of his girlfriend running off with his best friend. You can hear him trying to get through all of the emotions and finally just saying to forget about it.

If you were still wanting an uppity song about bad guys, there is "You Don't Mess Around with Jim" - which has a great twist to it!

Just about everybody who has seen a Hallmark Movie has heard "Time in a Bottle" - it seems this song is always used for poignant love scenes. It's the clsasic song of wanting to catch a moment in time and tuck it away forever.

For the shy, there's the "I'll Have to say I Love You in a Song". I wonder how many lovers have used this ploy - playing the tape - to reveal their true feelings to their partner?

There are a number of other great songs on here too - the "Working at the Car Wash Blues" gets your toes a tappin!

Highly recommended!

Granted for more money one can purchase Jim Croce's double cd the "50th Anniverary Collection", but for less dollars this latest from Rhino Records should suffice. It contains all Jim Croce's most cherished songs like "Operator", "You Don't Mess Around With Jim", "Time In A Bottle", "I Got A Name", "Bad Bad Leroy Brown" and many others. Jim Croce died in a plane crash in the early seventies and the world was dealt a great loss. If you love Croce's beautiful songs, that only he knew he could sing, then buy this excellent collection and enjoy.

This is a great collection, aptly titled, with everything expected. Be aware, however, that this version is not the one advertised. There are only 20 songs on this CD, not 21, and the Chain Gang Medley is not on it. This is disappointing, given that this song would improved the uniqueness of the album. Still a great listen, and better sound than some of the old recordings.

This is the best single CD Jim Croce collection available. It includes nearly all of his hits (it is missing his "Chain Gang Medley") and some of his classic album cuts. Highly recommended!

Undeniably a perfect collection of Jim Croce's work. Digitally remastered to give superb sound quality and compliment the perfection, clarity and uniqueness of his voice. A celebration of Croce's greatness that clearly demonstrates and pays tribute to the poetic intimacy of a real life lived and shared in tune, by an amazingly gifted artist, that will always live on. A selection of some of Croce's very best work such as "Lover's Cross", "Alabama Rain", "Photographs and Memories", "Dreamin' Again" "Operator", and of course one of my own personal favourites "Time in a Bottle". If you have lived a little this album is for you. I truly fell in love for the first time and this album was the perfect companion to serenade my dreams. A timeless piece of art that will haunt the best of us and please any Croce fan - well worth every penny! Trust me buy it - you won't be disappointed.

Jim Croce touched us all in the early 70's with his story telling and catchy love song. This compilation is just stunning. His sing-a-long style, tune after tune of mixing everyday life with thoughtful ballads, and a little comic twist here and there....this is Jim Croce...a must have full length cd !~!

I am a latecomer in terms of discovering Jim Croce's music. He's hardly featured in my country. But... What a discovery? What a talented and gifted singer songwriter! Guess it must had been said countless times... but nonetheless let me add to the countless echoes of 'What a premature loss to the fans and world of music'! It has certainly been a pleasure to the senses listening to Jim Croce (and his partner Maury Muehleisen) and the lyrics especially after a hard day in the office. Such exquisite singing songwriting talent is hardly heard of nowadays. Thanks for the music, Jim.

Not only do you have the pleasure of listening to some of Croce's most popular hits like "You Don't Mess around with Jim", "Operator", and "Time In A Bottle" but other sweetly sublime tunes are included like "It Don't Have to Be That Way" and "New York's Not My Home". Of the 20 songs on this CD, not a single one is disappointing. Check out #19, "Salon and Saloon", a lyrical challenge which Croce pulls off with soulful grace.

This album was a lovely reminder of my youth in the '70s. It's a pity the world lost such a talented artist in his prime!