I Got a Name

June 15, 2012

Every great artist deserves to have his or her story told. In the case of singer-songwriter Jim Croce, there could be no better narrator than his widow, Ingrid (The San Diego Restaurant Cookbook). Tracing her husband's life and career through the filter of their strong but often strained relationship, Ingrid paints a loving yet honest and revealing picture of his musical career and their life together. While more memoir than biography, the book is better for this intensely personal perspective. Instead of a dry, fact-reciting retelling of Jim's life, readers meet the man himself with all his talents, grace, and occasional faults on display. VERDICT This is an unflinchingly personal portrait of both Jim and Ingrid, but since the artist was known and loved for his personal and evocative music (as well as his often humorous and relatable lyrics), this memoir seems a fitting part of his legacy, 40 years after his untimely death. A heartfelt, compelling read; recommended.--Peter Thornell, Hingham P.L., MA

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2012
Jim Croce's widow finally opens up about living, loving and making music with her late pop-star husband. Before he was tragically killed in a 1973 plane crash while on tour, Croce commanded the radio airwaves. In the early '70s, hits like "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown," "Operator" and "Time in a Bottle" made the singer-songwriter appear like an overnight sensation. In reality, it took him many years of heartache and struggle to crack the top of the charts, and Ingrid was with him every step of the way, both as a musical collaborator and a devoted wife. The couple's profound love for one another, first ignited when Jim was still in college and Ingrid was just 16, is infused into every one of these intimate pages. Her husband's premature death was a nightmare to all who knew him and loved his music. For Ingrid, the tragedy actually began well before he ever climbed into that doomed airplane. At some point (which Ingrid traces to a horrific incident she experienced while on vacation), Jim began to change in ways that are almost as sad, frustrating and unfathomable as his untimely demise. She recounts the many betrayals and transgressions in a heartbreaking voice. This warts-and-all portrait paints Jim as a profoundly conflicted man who might have gotten his act together had he been given the time--but maybe not. For almost 40 years, fans curious about Jim have had to satisfy themselves with his wonderful songs, but now we have a more complete picture of the man behind the music. A deeply candid look into the life and times of a talented artist.

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