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Showing posts with the label Jim Croce

6762. Jim Croce - Hey Tomorrow

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From: You Don't Mess Around With Jim ; Year: 1972; Genre: Folk Rock I remember buying an old stereo 8-track tape of this album at either a yard sale or thrift store back when I was a young teenager for five cents; the tape was already quite old and a dead format even back then. Not having a lot of money to spend then, I would normally get my music cheap and then record it onto a cassette tape or just play it. One thing about Jim Croce's albums, for me at least, I never skipped a song; I'd let it play. Each and every song was special and so uplifting. The only problem with 8-tracks was the fact that you couldn't rewind them, so, if you wanted to hear a song again you had to let it come back around on the continuous loop of tape. As long as you kept your player and cartridge in good working order it'd just keep playing, that is, until that little metal switching splice fell off and it started to eat your tape. then you'd have to re-spool and use the good ol' s...

6521. Jim & Ingrid Croce - What the Hell

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From: Jim & Ingrid Croce ; Year: 1969; Genre: Folk Without a doubt I will have this album playing in my mind even after I leave this Earth. Having both Mom and Dad as huge fans of his work, Jim Croce's music has been all around my entire life. The Jim & Ingrid Croce record was more of one I remember my Mom listening to; it has to be among her favourites from any artist. For me though, it is quite difficult to pick a favourite just because of how much of his music I love. I guess that as a writer he shot with everything he had right from the pit of his being and could express himself flawlessly, or so it would seem. Personally, I have noted that when you get down to it "folk music," be it a troubadour singing and playing wot is in that person's heart, a blues musician, bluegrass, soul, wotever drives that individual makes it the heaviest music in existence.   Hear What the Hell on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: The O'Jays - The Year 2000...

6341. Jim & Ingrid Croce - Big Wheel

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From: Jim & Ingrid Croce ; Year: 1969; Genre: Folk I believe that Big Wheel was one of the autobiographical songs Jim Croce penned about when he drove trucks long distances with a time crunch to make ends meet for his small family. Basically, this was how he made money after signing a very bad recording contract that left him essentially penniless. I have always marveled at how he was able to express himself and his experiences so flawlessly; that is something that I could never do, thus I admire that talent even more. Interestingly enough, at least for me personally, this song seems a lot "bigger" sounding than it actually is with scant percussion and bass, Jim and his guitar and a banjo and mandolin with backing vocals, just so well played, recorded, mixed and produced. Although, I suspect it was just raw and unabated talent with all who were part of it.    Hear Big Wheel on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Nick Gilder - 21st Century  ...

6129. Jim Croce - The Ballad of Gunga Din

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From: Facets ; Year: 1966; Genre: Folk Rock This is an interesting one from Jim Croce's first album, which uses lyrics from the poem by Rudyard Kipling of the same name that has spawned a lot of media concerning it. I love the rawness of his vocals and exquisite guitar playing.     Hear The Ballad of Gunga Din on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Cab Calloway and His Orchestra - Pickin' the Cabbage   My song pick 2 years ago today: The Jimmy Castor Bunch - L.T.D. (Life, Truth, Death)   My song pick 3 years ago today: John Denver - Sweet Surrender   My song pick 4 years ago today: Blind Faith - Sea of Joy   My song pick 5 years ago today: Ultravox - Reap the Wild Wind My song pick 6 years ago today: The Fixx - One Thing Leads to Another My song pick 7 years ago today: Kansas - Miracles Out Of Nowhere My song pick 8 years ago today: Wilson Pickett - I'm a Midnight Mover My song pick 9 years ago today: Beat Crusaders - Sl...

6047. Jim & Ingrid Croce - Age

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From: Croce ; Year: 1969; Genre: Folk Rock/Folk All of Jim Croce's music is like hearing the voice of a dear friend every time a song of his starts. For me personally, he's always been someone that wrote the blues that no matter the situation was just genuine and reassuring; even though he tragically was killed before I was born it still brings a great deal of emotion to know that such a great artist's life was cut so young. This record, which my Mother still adores to this day, is another that every song is indelibly burnt into my mind. What especially made it that much better is that his wife, Ingrid co-wrote all but three songs and performed with him vocally as a team; a thing of beauty. He would later re-record this song, Age , for his final studio album, I Got a Name , sans Ingrid, but it's still very good, but I do prefer the earlier version.   Hear Age on YouTube. Hear the version from I Got a Name on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Ea...

5778. Jim Croce - Speedball Tucker

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From: Life and Times ; Year: 1973; Genre: Folk Rock Had this song in particular on my brain for the last couple of days, you know the rest. With some songwriting artists, like Jim Croce, I cannot fathom how their art just seemed to flow so easily and became something still so profound all these decades and years later. Ones like him were taken away far too quickly; you could only dream where music would be if he got to live longer. Anyway, Speedball Tucker has always been one that perks my ears up upon hearing this riff-heavy raucous folk song. With just 2:30 this one gives you everything you could want in a song; without a doubt it is a "transistor glamour." This is another track that contains one of my absolute favourite lines: "...and 95 was the route you was on, it was not the speed limit sign." Makes me laugh out loud every time I hear it.   Hear Speedball Tucker on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Steely Dan - Pretzel Logic   My song pick 2...

5267. Jim Croce - Steel Rail Blues

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From: Facets ; Year: 1966; Genre: Folk/Folk Rock Today I have had Jim Croce on my brain for some reason, which is always a good thing in my book. This song is a cover by the song apparently written and recorded by Gordon Lightfoot; Jim Croce does a pretty good job of in his rendition of it.     Hear Steel Rail Blues on YouTube.       My song pick 1 year ago today: Kansas - The Wall   My song pick 2 years ago today: Trio of Doom - Are You The One? Are You The One?   My song pick 3 years ago today: IQ - Fascination My song pick 4 years ago today: The Rolling Stones - Winter My song pick 5 years ago today: Archie Bell & The Drells - Tighten Up My song pick 6 years ago today: Yes - Cinema My song pick 7 years ago today: Heart - Sing Child My song pick 8 years ago today: Soundgarden - A Thousand Days Before My song pick 9 year ago today: The Ink Spots with Ella Fitzgerald - I'm Making Believe   My song pick 10 years ago today: B...

5213. Jim Croce - Box No. 10

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From: You Don't Mess Around With Jim ; Year: 1972; Genre: Folk Rock/Blues Rock I don't know wot it is, but there's just something amazing and comforting about Jim Croce's music; it still speaks volumes after all these years. This album in particular has been my favourite from the man; I still have my 8-Track tape I bought for 15¢ at an old record store. This was one of the songs I listened to when I let it play through; I've always loved that relatable tale told through the song and the bluesy rock music that goes along with it. Hear Box No. 10 on YouTube. My song pick 1 year ago today: Johnny Nash - I Can See Clearly Now My song pick 2 years ago today: The Cult - Sweet Soul Sister   My song pick 3 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Pied Piper My song pick 4 years ago today: Queensrÿche - Screaming in Digital My song pick 5 years ago today: Canned Heat - Going Up the Country My song pick 6 years ago today: Jaco Pastorius - Soul Intro/The Chicken My song pick ...

4407. Jim Croce - Thursday

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From: I Got a Name ; Year: 1973; Genre: Folk Rock Well, another brand new month upon us; it is difficult to believe that more than half the year has already passed us by.... Anyway, I happened to be thinking about the incomparable folk rock singer/songwriter Jim Croce. This aptly-titled tune was a perfect fit for today. Hear Thursday on YouTube. My song pick 1 year ago today: Soundgarden - Overfloater My song pick 2 years ago today: Alice Cooper - Hey Stoopid My song pick 3 years ago today: Eurythmics - Here Comes the Rain Again My song pick 4 years ago today: Jefferson Airplane - Plastic Fantastic Lover My song pick 5 years ago today: Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band - Express Yourself My song pick 6 years ago today: Muse - Explorers My song pick 7 years ago today: The Pretenders - Middle of the Road My song pick 8 years ago today: U2 - Where the Streets Have No Name My song pick 9 years ago today: Uriah Heep - Wizard My song pick...

3993. Jim Croce - I Got a Name

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From: I Got a Name ; Year: 1973; Genre: Folk Rock Could not believe that I've not chosen this song yet; it's one of my absolute favourites from Jim Croce. There's so much I like about I Got a Name : the music is simply amazing and well composed, and the lyrics are so deep and powerful. Hear I Got a Name on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Rush - Open Secrets My song pick two years ago today: Sonny & Cher - The Beat Goes On My song pick three years ago today: The Soul Searchers - Think My song pick four years ago today: Soundgarden - My Wave My song pick five years ago today: Midnight Oil - The Stars of Warburton My song pick six years ago today: Rush - The Garden My song pick seven years ago today: Jethro Tull - Wicked Windows My song pick eight years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Take Me Away My song pick nine years ago today: Alice Cooper - Billion Dollar Babies My song pick ten years ago today: Fastball - The Way

3770. Jim Croce - One Less Set of Footsteps

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From: Life and Times ; Year: 1973; Genre: Folk Rock Had this song running through my head this morning; as normal I thought I should go ahead pick it. Hear One Less Set of Footsteps on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Jeremy Bender My song pick two years ago today: Peter, Paul & Mary - I Dig Rock And Roll Music My song pick three years ago today: Ozzy Osbourne - So Tired My song pick four years ago today: Mastodon - Iron Tusk My song pick five years ago today: Rammstein - Rammlied My song pick six years ago today: Zombie Nation - Kernkraft 400 My song pick seven years ago today: Duke Ellington & His Orchestra - Ko-Ko My song pick eight years ago today: Rush - Bastille Day My song pick nine years ago today: The Steve Miller Band - Brave New World My song pick ten years ago today: C.W. McCall - Convoy

3110. Jim & Ingrid Croce - What Do People Do

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From: Jim & Ingrid Croce ; Year: 1969; Genre: Folk I cannot begin to count the times I've heard the song over my lifetime, mostly as a child; my parents, especially my mom loved this album and song. Anyway, this is, I believe, the only studio album to feature the husband and wife duo of Jim and Ingrid Croce performing together; it was also his second studio album. While all of his major hits came later there is a certain uplifting feeling from this record that is not as noticeable on his later albums. Whilst I absolutely love his heavier songs, I love this material too, but in a different way. This song is very much a folk song in the late 60s tradition with just enough great accompaniment, (the bass line is quite fun), and more of a normal"every day" subject matter and feeling that to some degree all can relate to. Hear What Do People Do on YouTube. My song pick one year ago today: Rage Against the Machine - Take the Power Back My song pick two years ...

2526 Jim Croce - Bad, Bad Leroy Brown

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From: Life and Times ; Year: 1973; Genre: Folk Rock The other day when I was out and about this song came on and being that I am a big fan of his music I thought I would pick it. I've always have liked this song about one of the baddest men around finding out he's not as bad as he and others think and gets himself beat up. That's probably one of the biggest draws to his music: singing about things that are commonly experienced and of course his music is incredible too. Hear Bad, Bad Leroy Brown on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Béla Fleck and the Flecktones - Life in Eleven My song pick two years ago today: Red Rider - White Hot My song pick three years ago today: The Allman Brothers Band - Melissa My song pick four years ago today: Queen - Play The Game My song pick five years ago today: Jerry Reed - Guitar Man My song pick six years ago today: Blind Faith - Can't Find My Way Home

2141 Jim Croce - Operator (That's Not the Way It Feels)

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From: You Don't Mess Around With Jim ; Year: 1972; Genre: Folk Rock The other evening I was listening to some of Jim Croce's songs with my wife, and after talking about some of them I thought I would pick one of them. After checking his songs that I have already chosen, I happened to notice that this one, which is one of my favourites, hadn't been picked yet. Hear Operator (That's Not the Way it Feels) on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) - Last Train to London My song pick two years ago today: Jaco Pastorius - Kuru/Speak Like a Child My song pick three years ago today: The Grass Roots - Let's Live For Today My song pick four years ago today: The Ventures - Walk-Don't Run My song pick five years ago today: Ten Years After - I'd Love To Change The World

1665 Jim Croce - Workin' at the Car Wash Blues

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1665 Jim Croce - Workin' at the Car Wash Blues From: I Got A Name , Year: 1974 Genre: Folk Rock It would seem as if most of my weekend will now be taken up working on my car, so I figured I would pick a fitting song today. Although this excellent one from Jim Croce isn't about working on cars, it happened to get stuck in my mind and it also had 'work' and 'car' in the title. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a live performance on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Flaming Telepaths My song pick two years ago today: AC/DC - Carry Me Home My song pick three years ago today: The Eagles - Get Over It My song pick four years ago today: Mily Balakirev - Islamey: an Oriental Fantasy +

1154 Jim Croce - Photographs and Memories

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1154 Jim Croce - Photographs and Memories Seemed like a nice day for some Jim Croce; I noticed that I had not chosen this track yet. I used to listen to this song on the greatest hits album of this song's namesake whilst I was working; it always made for some excellent background music. This track was always one of my favourites from his catalogue, I love the way the chorus contrasts verses. Hear Photographs and Memories on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) - Turn To Stone My song pick two years ago today: Sniff'n the Tears - Driver's Seat My song pick three years ago today: Styx - Lady +

1021 Jim Croce - Tomorrow's Gonna Be a Brighter Day

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1021 Jim Croce - Tomorrow's Gonna Be a Brighter Day I had a couple songs in mind for my pick this evening, however this one started playing through my mind whilst I was driving home. As always I took it as a sign that I should choose it, plus the reassuring nature of the song really fits my mood. Back about 20 or so years ago I procured an 8-Track of the album You Don't Mess Around With Jim for about 5¢; it sure beat paying the $15-$20 for the CD version. Anyway, as anyone with experience with a stereo 8-Track can attest you usually had a "path" that you went through on a tape which consisted of your favourite songs. This is one of the 8-Tracks which I did not have a path, I would play all the way through; simply a very strong album. This is one of the songs in which he wrote as an apology to his wife; quite a beautiful track. Here is the studio version on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: The Doors - Crystal Ship My song pick two years ago today: ...

901 ( Jim Croce - These Dreams )

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901 ( Jim Croce - These Dreams ) The last few days I have been logging many miles on the road with my iPod playing. Yesterday whilst on the road this rather beautiful song from the Folk/Rock maestro Jim Croce came on from my playlist; I figured that it would make a nice pick for this Sunday evening. Here is the studio version on YouTube. Here is a performance on YouTube. My song pick a year ago today: Alice Cooper - No More Mr. Nice Guy My song pick two years ago today: Savatage - Tonight He Grins Again +

683 ( Jim Croce - Alabama Rain )

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While on the road today after passing my counselor license exam this nice Jim Croce tune started running through my mind. It has always been one of those "peace of mind" songs that I use to calm myself down. An absolutely beautiful track by a master of his art. Hear Alabama Rain on YouTube. +

Song 412 ( Jim Croce - Rapid Roy (The Stock Car Boy) )

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This song just popped into my head this morning and I knew I had to pick it. Jim Croce is one of the best character lyricists ever; a lot of his work chronicle incidents or snippets of the lives of these characters, i.e. Bad, Bad Leroy Brown , You Don't Mess Around With Jim , Roller Derby Queen , and such. This one is about a daredevil early NASCAR dirt track racer who, like most early racers learned to drive by running moonshine. This song is very deceptive musically, it seems at first to be quite a simple song, but if you listen closely there is a lot chord changes and little runs that make it quite interesting. Here is the studio version on YouTube. +