Ingrid Croce

I've been thinking a lot about Ingrid Croce today. 

Been listening to Another Day, Another Town over and over for the past few days (after picking it up from The Great Escape for 99¢). I had another copy a long time ago, but it disappeared somewhere along the way. Probably during one of the low water times when I sold a lot of my records off. You know, though, even when I didn't have the record, I heard those songs all the time. They'd roll around in my head, as crisp and clear as if they were on the turntable. 

"Tell me, what do people do when there ain't nothing to do,

When there's no one else around to do nothing with or to?"

 That is some good shit, man. And of course I loved Jim's other three albums as well . . . and the other stuff that came out after he died. I think I managed to get hold of everything. But Another Day, Another Town always held a special place in my heart. There's an awkwardness, an innocence, a rawness, there that is just amazingly charming. And I think Ingrid had a lot to do with that. In fact, while I was listening today I started thinking, "I'll bet that that was an Ingrid line," every once in awhile. 

I just went Googling around to see if she had ever released any music on her own, but I came up empty handed. I wonder why. She was such a big part of Jim Croce's music during his early years. My guess would be that once Maury Muehleisen came onto the scene, Ingrid was gone. Of course, that was also when A.J. was born, so I don't mean that in any evil, edging her out way. And Jim died shortly after that.

Fuck.

I miss Jim Croce. I hope Ingird's doing well.

Going to go listen to that album again. Third time today. It's on YouTube if you'd like to join me and don't have a dollar.