By Ken Paulson – –
“Just like Medicine” s A.J. Croce’s most soulful album to date, and with good reason. His compelling collection of new songs is in the hands of producer Dan Penn, abetted by an amazing band including Colin Linden, David Hood, Bryan Owings, the Muscle Shoals Horns and the McCrary Sisters.
We loved Penn’s production of Greg Trooper’s Make It Through This World, creating a vibe, but also staying out of the way. That same approach is evident here.
Highlights include “The Heart That Makes Me Whole” with Steve Cropper and “Name of the Game,” an unreleased song written by A.J.’s father Jim Croce. Vince Gill joins on guitar.
Croce will bring his new music to the City Winery in Nashville on August 10, joined by Penn, Linden and the Time Jumpers’ Jeff Taylor.