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A. J. Croce
Studio album by A. J. Croce
Released	1993 (1993)
Genre	Jazz
Length	40:09
Label	Private Music
Producer	T-Bone Burnett, John Simon
A. J. Croce chronology
A. J. Croce (1993) That's Me in the Bar (1995)

A. J. Croce is the self-titled debut album by American singer-songwriter A. J. Croce, released in 1993.

Background

Croce was 21 years old when he made the debut album. The album was a result of his performance inducting his father, singer-songwriter Jim Croce, into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame. His record label, Private Music decided they wouldn't mount a campaign for a particular single from the album, instead they decided to let radio programmers listen to the entire album and decide for themselves what they wanted to play on the air. Croce said the feedback was "surprisingly supportive".

The album featured heavyweights from the music industry including; producer John Simon, guitarist and songwriter T Bone Burnett, drummer Jim Keltner, guitarist Robben Ford and keyboardist Benmont Tench. The album entered the top ten U.S. jazz chart in 1993.

Track listing

All songs written by A.J. Croce, except where noted.

1. "He's Got a Way with Women" (Rodney Lay, Hank Thompson)  – 3:31
2. "Which Way Steinway"  – 3:21
3. "I Wonder" (Cecil Gant, Raymond Leveen)  – 5:01
4. "How'd We Get So Good at Sayin' Good-Bye"  – 4:06
5. "I Found Faith"  – 2:45
6. "Keep on Lookin'"  – 4:09
7. "She Wouldn't Give Me None" (Minnie McCoy, Joe McCoy)  – 3:15
8. "I Know Better Now"  – 3:11
9. "Back Where I Began"  – 3:00
10. "Smokin' Good Time"  – 3:15
11. "Stuff You Gotta Watch" (Tom Dowd, Dan Greer, George Jackson)  – 2:32
12. "If I Could Be with You (One Hour Tonight)" (Henry Creamer, James P. Johnson)  – 2:03

Personnel

Production

Reception

Billboard Magazine said his debut album "covers acres, as much a tribute to the New Orleans piano masters, the Memphis soul sound, and the Basie-era Kansas City scene as it is a showcase for the artist's impressive songwriting, vocal, and piano playing talents". They also praised the "all-star cast" of players, saying; "together they pulled off a project that in lesser hands would be overambitious".

Graham Coxon wrote in Guitar Player that "Croce masterfully writes and performs songs reminiscent of '30s jazz, '40s jump blues, and late '60s New Orleans R&B, while the supporting musicians provide authentic period feel without sounding dated". Overall, he opined it was "refreshing music that eases the mind and soothes the soul".

Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic said the album "showcases his flair for low-key, atmospheric blues. As a performer, he's surprisingly confident and assured. As a songwriter, he still relies a little too heavily on cliches, but the best songs show potential, and that's what makes A.J. Croce a winning debut".

References

1. Track listing, personnel and production crew adapted from liner notes

1. Varga, George (May 9, 2017). "A.J. Croce on his old-school new album, Nashville life and his famous dad". San Diego Union-Tribune.
2. Demasters, Karen (October 8, 2000). "Jersey Footlights; A. J. Croce, on Guitar". The New York Times.
3. Sandler, Adam (May 24, 1993). "Like it or not, name invites comparison". Variety.
4. Hochman, Steve (October 22, 1993). "Old America Meets New in A.J. Croce's Songs : Pop music: Although he can't answer questions about his father, the late songwriter Jim Croce, he can talk enthusiastically about pre-rock figures such as Hoagy Carmichael". Los Angeles Times.
5. Ahrens, Chris (2023). "A.J. Croce". San Diego Reader.
6. Verna, Paul; Morris, Chris; Morris, Edward (June 12, 1993). "Jazz Album Reviews: A. J. Croce". Billboard. Vol. 105, no. 24. p. 49.
7. Coxon, Graham (November 1993). "Audio – A. J. Croce by A. J. Croce". Guitar Player. Vol. 27, no. 11. p. 110.
8. Erlewine, Thomas. "A.J. Croce – A.J. Croce | Album". AllMusic.

• A. J. Croce albums
• 1993 debut albums
• Albums produced by John Simon (record producer)
• Albums produced by T Bone Burnett