So, we thought: ‘Why not share that with his fans and have a little fun?’ ” always makes it a party when he’s playing for friends at home or in the studio. It’s good to be able to attach that to songs that are familiar to fans and resonate with them. “Plus, he’s got a library of old songs in his head and has such a unique voice. can find that space between the mindset and the relationship with his wife that influenced his previous records - and then he can (address) the absence of that relationship, which will no doubt influence his next record,” West said. Croce has made three albums for the label since 2014. West co-founded Compass in 1995 with his wife, La Jolla-bred banjo star Alison Brown. Because it brought me to that place where I have this closeness with all these friends, from different times, who would come over to the house and ask me to play songs by different artists that mean a lot to me.”Ĭompass Records’ co-founder Garry West, whose Nashville-based label Croce is signed to, also regards “By Request” as a sound move. “In the meanwhile, I think ‘By Request’ was the perfect project at this time. I do feel like there’s some heavy moments that will be relatable to a lot of people. And, obviously, some of the new songs I wrote came from that grief, not that I think it will be a particularly sad album when I make it. “Writing an album of original material is a very personal endeavor. “I started touring again and it was very hard, at first, playing so many songs I wrote that my wife had inspired. “After several months of being in my house and grieving and spending time with my two (adult) kids, I felt like I needed to experience the other part of my life, which is my music,” Croce recalled. The album focuses entirely on songs that various friends requested Croce perform while visiting him and Marlo at their San Diego home in University Heights and, later, in Nashville. Instead, he takes the title of “By Request” literally. Those new songs are simply too personal for now, although he plans to feature them on his next album. Like Waits, he is also an accomplished singer and songwriter - as befits the son of famed troubadour Jim Croce, who died in a 1973 plane crash barely a week before his son turned 2.īut when it came time to make “By Request” in Nashville with his band and some choice guest artists, Croce opted not to include any music he has written since his wife’s death. Like Waits, a key early influence, the piano-playing Croce grew up in San Diego and honed his music chops playing in local clubs and coffee houses. It was great, and it seemed like that ride got shorter and shorter.” l was also listening to old rock ‘n’ roll, jazz, blues and soul music.
I listened to Tom Waits’ first two albums, on cassettes while doing a lot of driving back and forth to L.A. I was recording, playing live dates, doing film work and some sessions for other artists. I used to have a root beer-colored ’56 Ford Mustang and was driving up to Los Angeles a lot. “I listened a lot to ‘The Heart of Saturday Night’ album after, and even before, my first record came out. “Absolutely,” said Croce, whose all-star 1993 debut album was released internationally when he was only 21. “San Diego Serenade’s” closing lines - Never saw my hometown till I stayed away too long / I never heard the melody till I needed the song - have even more meaning for him now than when he first heard Waits’ music as a teenager here. Waits’ song, from his second album, 1974’s “The Heart of Saturday Night,” is especially resonant for Croce, who lived in San Diego for all but about eight of his nearly 50 years.
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