Darlene Love fans shared a special moment with the singer during her “Love for the Holidays” concert at New York’s Town Hall on Thursday, November 30 when Bruce Springsteen came on stage to present Darlene with an RIAA platinum album plaque for A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector, the groundbreaking multi-artist wall-of-sound holiday collection that introduced Darlene’s “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” to the world in 1963.
Bruce Springsteen and Darlene Love at New York’s Town Hall, Thursday, November 30, 2023
Photo Credit: Sachyn Mital
Springsteen called Darlene “my forever crush” while singling out “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” as “the absolute greatest Christmas rock ‘n’ roll song of all time” and acknowledging “that song and Darlene have been a part of our holidays for 60 years.”
Darlene Love at New York’s Town Hall, Thursday, November 30, 2023 Photo Credit: Sachyn Mital
“When we recorded it, we had no idea it would be a song that people would play for over 60 years,” says Love, laughing. “But it’s a great song. It’s something that had never been done before: It’s a great Christmas song and a rock ‘n roll Christmas song. I never get tired of singing it. And I never really get tired of singing it because I only do it at Christmas time.”
Darlene Love at New York’s Town Hall, Thursday, November 30, 2023 Photo Credit: Sachyn Mital
Darlene Love’s “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” single has been certified 3x platinum by the RIAA as of April 7, 2023. Originally released November 22, 1963 on Philles Records, A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector is currently available through Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment.
World Music Institute recently announced that Arooj Aftab, Vijay Iyer, and Shahzad Ismaily will be stopping at The Town Hall in Manhattan on September 14. The event will be a performance of the group’s self-titled 2023 album titled Love In Exile. Together, the trio concoct mesmerizing music by incorporating sonic elements from around the world.
Brooklyn-based vocalist Arooj Aftab burst onto the scene with her captivating debut project Bird Under Water in 2015. Since then, the Pakistan-born artist has been making waves for her alluring voice and varied musical range. With Love In Exile, Aftab partnered with esteemed pianist Vijay Iyer and instrumentalist Shahzad Ismaily to create a project unlike many others.
Jazz and South Asian traditions help to influence the sound of Love In Exile. Despite the album’s footing, it is a swirling and genreless piece of music. The project is as eerie as it is entrancing, and is truly a unique listening experience. As a group Love In Exile aims to deliver a spellbinding live show. The trio dips into the improvisatory soul of jazz and the Urdu poetic tradition to create a performance full of “timeless beauty and sudden surprise”.
What Is World Music Institute?
World Music Institute was founded in 1985 and has long stood as one of the pillars of American music and dance. The non-profit looks to bring the best music from around the world to venues throughout New York City. WMI attempts to foster awareness and appreciation for the cultural traditions of people across the globe through performances and conversations. The New York State Council on the Arts and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs partially support the program.
Kalia Vandever, a Brooklyn trombonist and composer, will open the show. Vanderver’s nuanced approach to the trombone is distinctive and defined by her resounding tone and lyrical improvisational voice. We Fell In Turn, her debut solo album, released back in March and featured works for trombone, voice, and electronics.
Here for tickets and more information about Love in Exile.
Singer/Songwriter A..J. Croce has announced he is hitting the road again in celebration of two more of his father Jim Croce’s legendary albums, 1973’s Life and Times and his final release, I Got A Name.
Jim Croce is best known for his five studio albums and numerous singles between 1966 and 1973. Croce’s breakthrough came in 1972 with his third album, You Don’t Mess Around with Jim, which produced three charting singles. The follow-up album, Life and Times, included the song “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown”, which was the only No. 1 hit he had during his lifetime.
On September 20, 1973, after performing at Northwestern State University and the day before the lead single to his fifth album I Got a Name was released, Croce and five others, died in a plane crash on their way to Jim’s next show at Austin College.
The Croce Plays Croce 50th Anniversary show will feature a legendary band (including drummer Gary Mallaber, bassist David Barard, guitar/violin James Pennebaker) and a moving multi-media presentation accompanying Jim’s songs. A.J. Croce says besides the two albums Life and Times and I Got A Name, tracks from the popular You Don’t Mess Around With Jim – which fueled last year’s run – will also be part of the new show.
It was fan-demand for more, and the camaraderie that A.J. felt with the audience, the players, and the connection to his father’s timeless music that inspired A.J. to embark on the Croce Plays Croce 50th Anniversary tour for 2023. “The audience reaction has been so great,” says A.J. “The shows we did last year were not only met with a huge response, but I learned so much about what works and what resonates, we knew we had to keep going.”
During last year’s raved-about performances, A.J. shared intimate aspects of his dad’s career. He also drew praise for his own style and musicianship as well as his sensitive insight into Jim Croce’s enduring musical canon. While Jim Croce’s indelible music catalog still resonates on classic radio, streaming platforms, and more recently on hit films and TV shows like Django Unchained and Stranger Things, it is A.J.s unique showmanship that has helped enliven Jim’s amazing legacy.
A.J. says the upcoming Life and Times and I Got A Name shows will continue to be fresh and spontaneous. “People were surprised when they came that the show wasn’t just Jim Croce’s ballads,” he says. “I think one of the things the audience will appreciate if they haven’t seen us yet, is how alive these songs sound. All the musicians have a level of improvisation that makes it a lot of fun.”
The shows have renewed interest in Jim Croce and garnered praise for A.J: “I think they come as a Jim Croce fan but also leave as fans of mine. That’s something that has also made this whole experience really amazing.”
Croce Plays Croce 50th Anniversary Tour Dates
Oct 27 / Aria Ballroom @MGM Springfield / Springfield, MA
Oct 28 /The Wilbur / Boston, MA
Oct 30 / Count Basie Center for the Arts / Red Bank, NJ
Nov 1 / Santander Performing Arts Center / Reading, PA
Nov 2 / Sandler Center for the Performing Arts / Virginia Beach, VA
Nov 4 / The Town Hall / New York City, NY
Nov 5 / Keswick Theatre / Glenside, PA
Nov 7 / Kodak Center / Rochester, NY
Nov 8 / Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall / Munhall, PA
Nov 9 / Taft Theatre / Cincinnati, OH
Nov 12 / Royal Oak Music Theatre / Royal Oak, MI
Nov 15 / Hoyt Sherman Place / Des Moines, IA
Nov 17 / Pantages Theatre / Minneapolis, MN
Nov 25 / Florida Theatre / Jacksonville, FL
Nov 26 / Parker Playhouse / Fort Lauderdale, FL
Nov 28 / Capitol Theatre / Clearwater, FL
Nov 29 / King Center for the Performing Arts / Melbourne, FL
For more information, and to purchase tickets, please visit A.J.’s website.
