"I like a good story, well told. That is the reason I am sometimes forced to tell them myself." - Mark Twain
Sunday, January 23, 2022
Sunday Music: You Don't Mess Around With Jim
Before his career was tragically cut far too short by gravity, Jim Croce was the absolute master of the story-song in the early '70s. With a face made for radio and a voice for the ages, here's one of his best three-act three-minute masterpieces.
Great memories for me from late summer, 1972. I still remember the first time I heard this song on that very hot, August day, 55 years ago. As matter of fact, I wish it was still '72. I'd take Tricky Dick Nixon with his balls in a ringer over the Watergate Affair than President Poopy Pants on the verge of starting WW 3 to cover his ass.
Chapin is OK but other than fan hardly a gone remembers his music, maybe a few know Taxi. Most know Croce's most popular songs. I Got a Name, Time in a Bottle, Bad Leroy Brown, Have to Say I love You in a Song, plus the title above.
I listed to him way before it became cool for someone my age to listen to him. (of course, I also had Lynn Anderson, Chet Atkins and a few Smothers Brothers albums in my collection about that point as well.) You're never too old or too young to find a preference in musical tastes, even if that preference is all flavors.
I saw him in concert in l972 (maybe early 1973--my college memories are a bit fuzzy). He was just starting to move up from the roadhouse circuit to bigger venues. We were just a bunch of partying numbskulls going to a free campus concert. When he and his partner took the stage with a couple of guitars, we were disgusted: "What is this acoustic shit? We want some ROCK-N-ROLL!" Well, he proceeded to do a dynamite concert that I remember to this day. After working roadhouses, he had some trucker jokes that had us laughing till it hurt.
Back when I was flying the Embraer-145,the boarding music CD player was easily accessible in the galley. One of the flight attendants made a mix CD of musicians that died in plane crashes, and played it instead of the usual elevator music. It was so much more fun to listen to while we were doing our preflight duties. Sadly, some stick in the mud passenger that didn't find it funny finally complained to corporate one day, and they told her she had to stop playing her mix CD.
One of my earliest music memories, remember Mom playing this on 8 track in the car, an album in the house. Rediscovered Jim as a teenager in the 80s and still love it. Great music that has lots of good memories attached to it. This and the Doors LA Woman album are the first music I remember hearing at 3-4 years old. Thanks for sharing.
Love it when this comes on and plays from the list on my phone.
ReplyDeleteGreat memories for me from late summer, 1972. I still remember the first time I heard this song on that very hot, August day, 55 years ago. As matter of fact, I wish it was still '72. I'd take Tricky Dick Nixon with his balls in a ringer over the Watergate Affair than President Poopy Pants on the verge of starting WW 3 to cover his ass.
ReplyDeleteLoved Jim Croce! Like Lennon, he was a wordsmith; the music was just another great addition.
ReplyDeleteLike a shooting star on a clear night, Ole Jim cast his righteous light.
ReplyDeletePushing it up, past full throttle but TIME was a genie in a bottle.
Fickle Genie's no faithful sentry...she'll burn you down, rather re-entry.
RIP Jim
aj
Uh,,,,,Harry Chapin?
ReplyDeleteWhat about him? He didn't come along until after Jim Croce was dead, and owed his follow-on success in no small part to their similar styles.
ReplyDeleteChapin is OK but other than fan hardly a gone remembers his music, maybe a few know Taxi. Most know Croce's most popular songs. I Got a Name, Time in a Bottle, Bad Leroy Brown, Have to Say I love You in a Song, plus the title above.
ReplyDeleteI know Jim Croce was the master at story/song. I do enjoy listening to Harry Chapin also, I think of Harry as a padawan to Jim...
ReplyDeleteI listed to him way before it became cool for someone my age to listen to him.
ReplyDelete(of course, I also had Lynn Anderson, Chet Atkins and a few Smothers Brothers albums in my collection about that point as well.)
You're never too old or too young to find a preference in musical tastes, even if that preference is all flavors.
I saw him in concert in l972 (maybe early 1973--my college memories are a bit fuzzy). He was just starting to move up from the roadhouse circuit to bigger venues. We were just a bunch of partying numbskulls going to a free campus concert. When he and his partner took the stage with a couple of guitars, we were disgusted: "What is this acoustic shit? We want some ROCK-N-ROLL!" Well, he proceeded to do a dynamite concert that I remember to this day. After working roadhouses, he had some trucker jokes that had us laughing till it hurt.
ReplyDeleteAnother great pick.
ReplyDeleteI still remember learning that he had died. One of the few singers at the time that my Dad and I could both enjoy.
Okay, confession time. I only heard that in 2012 or so. Must have been in my musical dead zone.
ReplyDeleteBack when I was flying the Embraer-145,the boarding music CD player was easily accessible in the galley. One of the flight attendants made a mix CD of musicians that died in plane crashes, and played it instead of the usual elevator music. It was so much more fun to listen to while we were doing our preflight duties. Sadly, some stick in the mud passenger that didn't find it funny finally complained to corporate one day, and they told her she had to stop playing her mix CD.
ReplyDeleteOne of my earliest music memories, remember Mom playing this on 8 track in the car, an album in the house. Rediscovered Jim as a teenager in the 80s and still love it. Great music that has lots of good memories attached to it. This and the Doors LA Woman album are the first music I remember hearing at 3-4 years old. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI always like Jim Croce. He was indeed a wordsmith and had a good voice. I liked Harry Chapin too.
ReplyDelete