A.J. Croce opens his new album, By Request, with the cover of the Billy Preston classic, “Nothing From Nothing.” A.J. recently explained to the Nashville Scene: “Like many of the songs I recorded for By Request, ‘Nothing From Nothing’ was written by an iconic keyboard player. Whether as a solo artist or a sideman, Billy Preston was an influence on me and my playing. I’ve always been drawn to players who have a sound of their own. Unlike guitar, which allows players an endless array of instruments, amps, pedals, and options to create an identifiable tone, piano requires the player themselves to create uniqueness. With my recording, I wanted to pay tribute to the original while making it my own. With the help of Jim Hoke I was able to rearrange the horns from the sound of the circus to a more sophisticated and slightly more Stevie Wonder-inspired part. Like all the songs on this album, it was recorded live, with few exceptions. I wanted it to feel and sound like you were hanging out at my place with a bunch of close friends.”
SPONSORED BY Compass Records
