The beautiful "Time in a Bottle" is his best ballad, but it is followed closely by "Operator" and the introspective "I Got a Name." All three of these touching songs are included in this collection.

There are a number of lesser hits here, including the title cut, but the above-mentioned five are the headliners.

Jim Croce had two distinct musical styles, both of which are well represented in this compilation. Photographs and Memories is a must-have for any collection of the great singer-songwriters of our time.

18 of 20 found the following review helpful:


Fine Inrtoduction To A Too-Short Folk/Rock Career  Jun 01, 2000 By Anthony G Pizza "trivialtony"
Would've been nice to have the sort-of Christmas song, "It Doesn't Have To Be That Way," on this set. But otherwise, "Photographs and Memories" is a brief, full collection of Jim Croce's early 70s hits. Its capturing of a time and musical era allows it to hold the same esteem as best-ofs from James Taylor, Seals & Crofts, Gordon Lightfoot, and other folk/rock performers.

During his too-brief recording career, Croce avoided the political stridency or overly sensitive navel-gazing of most singer/songwriters. Instead, he relied on imagery (growing up in the same general Philadelphia area Croce did, you saw enough roller derby queens, stock car boys, and mean junkyard dogs to know what he sang about), and even a sense of irony and humor to get his character and gentle love songs over. ("Time In A Bottle" with its haunting guitar intro, is the best of these despite inclusion in the sappy, ironically-titled TV movie "She Lives.")

This is all the Croce casual fans will need; otherwise, seek out original albums like "Life and Times," "I Got A Name," and "You Don't Mess Around With Jim" and even the posthumous LP "The Faces I've Been."

8 of 9 found the following review helpful:


The Great, Late & Marvelous Jim Croce!  Jul 11, 2003 By Barron Laycock "Labradorman"
For those of us who watched the incredible rise of pop folk and country singer Jim Croce, this was the album that encapsulated his all too brief living of the life of his dreams. Sadly, he was cut down just as his career was reaching its pinnacle, and he left us to sing and perform in other, more ethereal venues. I'm sure he has the angels snapping their fingers and tapping their toes. With the songs that are included her Jim sang his way into our living rooms, automobiles, and our hearts. He was a true original, another of the incredible group of singer songwriters who not only performed so brilliantly, but also wrote the lyrics and composed the music as well.

Here we have every thing from "I'll Have To Say I Love You In A Song" to "Photographs and Memories", from "Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown" to "You Don't Mess Around With Jim", from "One Less Set Of Footsteps" to "Operator". This is a wonderful album, one filled with all the thoughts and ideas and emotions he evoked so well in his lyrics and his songs. Those of us who came to appreciate his talent and his art were saddened by his death, but are yet thankful he left behind such wonderful photographs and memories, such priceless and timeless reminders of the good times he gave us. That why I wanted to weigh in with this review; I just had to say I loved him in a song... Enjoy!

5 of 5 found the following review helpful:


An excellent collection of Croce  Oct 18, 2000
Photographs and memory's is an excellent collection of Jim Croce's hits in the early 70's. The album remembers the artist well and portrays his unique style to the listener. In an era where soft rock dominated the airways Croce was the best of the best.

His unique singing style, voice and guitar paved the way for some classic upbeat, downtown songs like "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" and, "You Don't Mess Around with Jim," where Croce always seemed to sing to the underdog. He also created some of the best ballet classics "Photographs and Memories", "Time In A Bottle", and "I Got A Name."

If your only going to buy one Croce CD pick up this one, it's an excellent collection of Croce's hits that portrays his style and versatility very well.

5 of 5 found the following review helpful:


A Scrapbook of emotions  Sep 11, 1998 By Jill Rivers "christie_lee"
Jim Croce's "Photographs and Memories" is a collection of work worth whatever investment it may be. You'll stroll down the street of heartache, identity crisis, and painful memories. All of the songs are well written and vintage Croce material. You have the interesting melodies of "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" and "You Don't Mess Around with Jim" juxtaposed with "Time in A Bottle" and "Operator." You will sympathize with Jim's predicaments and remember your own situations. "Lover's Cross" is one of the best on the album. 5 stars and worth the reminiscing.

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