American songwriting legend A.J. Croce is releasing his new album ‘By Request’ via Compass Records. ‘By Request’ is the first album Croce has released since losing his wife of 24 years, Marlo Croce, after a sudden heart ailment. It’s also the first album by Croce to feature his full touring band: Gary Mallaber on drums (Van Morrison, Steve Miller band), GRAMMY®-winning bassist David Barard (Allen Toussaint, Dr. John), and up-and-coming guitarist Garrett Stoner. Over the past three decades, A.J. Croce has established his reputation as a piano player and serious vocal stylist who pulls from a host of musical traditions and anti-heroes — part New Orleans, part juke joint, part soul. While his last album, ‘Just Like Medicine, paired him with soul legend Dan Penn and an all-star cast of players, his new album was born of memories — of favorite artists and shows, but mostly, of late-night gatherings with groups of friends, many of them fellow musicians, with Croce at the piano taking requests.
Croce revisits these musical memories on ‘By Request’, 12 personally curated covers that traverse decades and genres. With Croce’s animated jazz-infused piano at the helm, the album comes to life with blues tracks such as Allen Toussaint’s ‘Brickyard Blues’, and rock n’ roll bangers like Randy Newman’s ‘Have You Seen My Baby’. His loose and fun style floods the songs in swagger, aptly capturing the essence and energy of the late-night gatherings that inspired the album.
With the jaunty funky rendition of Billy Preston’s ‘Nothing from Nothing’ and a full band sound, each track is brimming with character, charm and warmth. Within ‘By Request’ there are many hidden musical gems to delight and tantalize listeners’ ears. One such gem which perhaps shines most brightly is Croce’s musical genius on piano. Croce puts his spin on songs by Neil Young, The Beach Boys, Sam Cooke, The Faces and more, with his unique piano-driven arrangements to create an engaging album brimming with passion and feel-good fun. Love it.
About the album Croce says : “BY Request’ is my way of inviting you over for a private gathering at my place. We listen to great music, laugh, make great food and after a few drinks and maybe a few more we end up in my music room and I start taking requests of every genre and era. The music is always fun and completely diverse. We’ll play and sing all kinds of music. Some of my friends are professional musicians, some do it for fun and many friends are just serious music fans. So you’ll fit right in. There’s no way that I could record the thousands of songs I’ve performed at home over the years, nevertheless every song on this album has been requested by close friends who have hung out at my place many times for many years. “Welcome to my home, by request, you’re hereby invited to join the party.”
Stream ‘By Request’ Below
Author : Danu
