Customer Reviews

A.J. Croce

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Saw the man live and then bought his cd. He's one of the finest piano-players I've ever seen. He plays the boogie at a breathtaking speed, changes tempi, becomes slow again. And his voice is just out of this world. After the concert everyone walked out with a big smile on his face.

The first time I listened to this album I was in highschool and found it to be absolutely soul thrilling. Even today I can listen to this before or after preceeding jazz greats, and it fits the bill fantastically. If you're looking for an album containing more than a few great tracks, you'll thouroughly enjoy ALL of these.

If you like blues, jazz and rock and roll don't miss this album. I think he is a cross between Dr. John's piano and Louis Armstrong's voice -- good company and high praise indeed! I first saw A.J. on Austin City Limits and had to go to the newspaper to find out who this remarkable artist was. I still wondered if he was any kin to the late Jim Croce. He is, and his dad passed on some great musical genes, but the resemblence stops there. He's never going to write time in a bottle and you wouldn't want him to do so. This is a must have album if you even remotely like music! Buy a copy for a friend. Heck, buy me another copy! I can't wait to get his other albums! Wow!

If it weren't for his name, I would have never realized he is the son of one of my favorite composers and performers of the 70's. A.J. Croce's coarse voice and bluesy/jazzy style bear no resemblence to his father's music. But he has certainly inherited Jim Croce's genius for telling a story through his song. "He's Got A Way With Women" and "How'd We Get So Good At Saying Goodbye" are but a couple of examples of words painting a thousand pictures. It is difficult to categorize Croce's music because of the variety of styles he adopts and has mastered. "I Found Faith" is an introspective look at one man's search for truth, set to a smooth, soothing rhythm. That same soothing feeling comes through in "I Wonder", a classic torch song. But don't look for this CD to lull you to sleep. "Which Way Steinway", "Smokin' Good Time", and "Stuff You Gotta Watch" will rock your sock off. A.J.'s vocal qualities are well suited to the songs he sings, but his talent on the piano are what hooked me. I suspect this guy could have made a living playing Mozart as well as his own material. Since A.J.'s music is not typical of the candy-coated drool that fills the pop airwaves, he is not likely to become a household name. But I hope he continues producing CD's for years to come. His first three are on my shelf, and I keep watching for more!

I hate most music of the last decade and this decade isn't shaping up to be too much better. I heard this CD when my friend, the bassists nephew played it for me. Anyone who appreciates Rhythm & Blues will love this album. Croce has an amazing voice that fits the bluesy style of piano that he plays. Nobody should think that Croce plays the same music as his old man did. His has a lot more feeling to it, not to mention it comes from an entirely different genre.

Think of a studio session and Dr. John, Tom Waits and Marcia Ball drop on by and oh yeah Jim Keltner is beatin' the skins and T-Bone Burnett just happens to pick up Robben Ford''s guitar and voila! one DAMN FINE ALBUM is recorded.

Can you remember a time when someone had a Tuba solo??? The combination of N'Awlin's Boogie Woogie Stride Piano and a voice that you could"rasp" and groove with.

Simply splendid!!!

Great blend of top-notch musicians (Robben Ford, Jim Keltner), Jim's own fine grand piano playing, some really great tunes, and some whacky, but still mighty fine tunes make for a great cocktail here. The style is relaxed soul blues, a little bit of stride piano even. It definitely stands out, and the production, especially of the grand, is simply SUPERB! This CD helped sell me my stereo, and afterwards I got the salesperson to order me a copy (not so easy to find in Denmark). I highly recommend it!

What a voice! If you know what A.J. looks like you know that the voice doesn't fit the looks. He has that great blues voice! The music and lyrics are great. I find myself singing these songs all day long. One of the best CD I have purchased in a long time. Style, sound, music and all. He is great!!!

this is a great album its like jimmy buffet meets sinatra meets jim croce. amazing

I really didn't know what to expect, whether it would sound like his father but it was a very pleasant suprise.