Spotlight Album Review: A.J. Croce "By Request"

A.J. Croce, By Request 

Recording an album of covers requires a certain chutzpah. You either have to reimagine them or pay tribute to the originals with stellar versions. A. J. Croce combines both approaches on his new album, By Request, which is this month’s Spotlight Album.  For the most part the songs are true to the spirit of the originals, but occasionally deviate in exciting ways.

By Request is the first album A.J. Croce has recorded since the sudden death of his wife in 2018. He wasn’t up to recording something new, but felt he could fill the hole in his life and honor the party-giving tradition they had shared, so on the whole the tracks are surprisingly upbeat.

Inspired by Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder, A.J., who suffered from blindness as a child, mastered the art of piano playing and was a regular in San Diego clubs as a teenager, absorbing a broad repertoire. Even after his first record in 1973, he went on to perform with the likes of Willie Nelson, the Neville Brothers, to Ry Cooder.  That virtuosity and versatility runs through the album,

Soul music in all its variety informs much of By Request: the ebullient Billy Preston hit, “Nothing from Nothing”; the high-energy groove of Shorty Long’s instrumental, “Ain’t No Justice”; the neo-gospel of Sam Cooke’s lesser-known “Nothing Can Change This Love”; the Chicago soul of The Five Stairsteps’ “Ooh Child” (which has also been covered by everyone from Nina Simone to Beth Orton to Jill Sobule). Perhaps A.J. was drawn to “Ooh Child” by the consoling optimism of the line, “things gonna get brighter.” That follows “Better Day,” a country blues done by Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee; A.J.’s version benefits from a tasty guitar solo by Robben Ford.

Beyond Robben Ford’s cameo, A.J. relies on his full touring band and an occasional horn section. “Have You Seen My Baby,” from Randy Newman’s 1970 album, 12 Songs, is a standout, with a pounding Little Richards beat and a little New Orleans feel (supplied by David Barrard, who’s played bass with Dr. John and Allen Toussaint).   A.J.’s first concert as a two-year-old was seeing Randy with his father, Jim Croce, on a double bill shortly his death in 1973. The New Orleans connection continues in “Brickyard Blues” by the late Allen Toussaint, an ambassador of New Orleans music and a Croce hero.

A.J. channels Ian McLagan, the great keyboard of The Faces, on “Stay With Me,” the only flat-out rocker on the album.  Generally, the quiet songs take more liberties with the originals. Neil Young’s “Only Love Can Break Your Heart” gets a soulful treatment, while the Beach Boys’ “Sail On, Sailor” has a bluesy vibe.  On the other hand, Croce plays it straight with the classic Tom Waits ballad, “San Diego Serenade,” which is fitting, since A.J. spent most of his life there. He’s been in Nashville for the last few years. Who knows where his muse will lead him? After the pain of his wife’s death, By Request could represent a placeholder or musical comfort food, but it’s a satisfying meal in any case.

photo by Joshua Black Wilkins