Croce stitches together stories of his musical life

Groove Tube with Cian O’Connell

AJ Croce has had a career steeped in American music. A virtuosic pianist from an early age, the Pennsylvanian native had toured with the likes of BB King and Ray Charles before he turned 21. And over the course of his ten studio albums, he has enjoyed major chart success across a host of genres.

His is a remarkable story of talent and resilience – AJ’s father, the late, legendary folk singer-songwriter Jim Croce, passed away days before his son’s second birthday.

Facing a number of difficult moments in his life – including the loss of his wife Marlo two years ago – AJ remains positive and passionate, as is evidenced by his latest project.

By Request is something of a nostalgia trip. The twelve-track LP consists of various covers (some reimagined, some more faithfully performed) that AJ has played to and with friends in his home over the years.

It’s as much a celebration of friends and good memories as it is a body of work but, as usual, his ability in terms of performance and arrangement shines throughout. The covers are largely blues-y and soulful – recorded with AJ’s live band, they do a good job of recreating the atmospheres that inspired the album.

“I wanted the listener to feel like they were joining me in a party at my place,” he explains.

“I wanted them to feel it so I recorded with me singing live with a piano or guitar. There were overdubs but all of the basic stuff that I did, you hear live. It was really about having fun. I think that was it. I took it seriously but it was a matter of having fun with a bunch of friends.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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