Facets

Album Review

Since he only left a precious few full-length albums behind, fans have always clamored for more recordings from the late/great Jim Croce. Probably one of the most sought-after items was an ultrarare album that Croce issued himself back in 1966, Facets. With 500 dollars in his pocket (a wedding gift from his parents), Croce recorded 11 tracks and pressed up 500 copies of the resulting album — all of which were snapped up except for a handful. With the majority of Croce's fans never having the chance to hear these early tracks, the folks at Shout Factory have finally reissued this ultrarare recording (on CD for the very first time) — as it's been expanded to a two-disc set, which includes seven collaborative tracks between Jim and his wife, Ingrid Croce, titled "Jim and Ingrid Too." Of course, Facets is aimed strictly at Croce's most ardent fans, but they won't be disappointed. Although Croce was still finding his own voice and style, such tracks as "Steel Rail Blues" show that the singer/guitarist was already on his way to greatness. On the second disc, the music resembles more of the acoustic/folk style that Croce would become aligned with during the early '70s, while Ingrid's vocals harmoniously coexist with Jim's, especially on such standouts as "Child of Midnight," "It's All Over, Mary Ann," and especially the delightful "Hard Times Be Over."