A.J. Croce

FIT TO SERVE

Ruf 1358
visit the AJ's website
also available on Amazon

When this came in the mail I just kind of put it aside even though it had an interesting bit of cover art.  As things would happen I was busy and it got lost in the shuffle until the day I got a call from a rep. of the company to ask what I thought of it.  I promised her I would put it on that afternoon, and being honest I did.  Thank you Elissa for the wake up call.  This is a tremendously talented individual on his way to eventual recognition for great talent.  First off there are the outstanding songs, which combine intelligent lyrics with strong rhythmic music.  You can feel the strong influence of the New Orleans piano masters, such as Fess, and especially Dr. John in his compositions.  Many of his vocal stylings and complex rhythms combine that New Orleans funk with the Caribbean meter that is so particular to the area and lineage.  You know that is his strongest influence, but he adds some of his own self to that potpourri.  He either wrote or co-wrote 11 of the 13 tunes on this disc.  He has a crack band playing with him here, it is the band he tours and continually plays with and it shows in their understanding of what the songs are and where they are going.  He has Paul Kimbarow on drums and David Curtis on bass.  Then there is the voice that has that rich and gruff intonation that hints of a life that has been well and fully lived.  Please

 

 
AJ Croce Fit to Serve

don't make the mistake that I did and just let it slide.  This is an up and coming talent that is soon going to be seen only in stadiums.   See him now when he plays a more intimate club near you now and grab this disc and enjoy the pulsating rhythms that will come from the speakers.

Songs, times (not given)and writers - all songs written by A. J. Croce unless noted

1.  FIT TO SERVE -
2.  I DON'T MIND -
3.  LOVER'S SERENADE -
4.  TROUBLE IN MIND - Richard M. Jones
5.  TEXAS RUBY - A. J. Croce/Gary Nicholson
6.  UNCOMMON SENSE -
7.  I'LL GET THROUGH -
8.  CRY TO ME - Bert Russel -
9.  SO IN LOVE -
10. COUNT THE WAYS -
11. TOO LATE -
12. JUDGEMENT DAY - A. J. Croce/Gary Nicholson
13. NOBODY ELSE -
 
MUSICIANS
A. J. Croce - piano, vocals
Paul Kimbarow - drums
David Curtis - bass
 
PRODUCED BY -  A. J. Croce and Mark Lampe