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Facets

by Jim Croce

Released: March 23, 1966

Folk rock

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Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Debut Album.

The Album

"Facets" is the debut studio album by Jim Croce, self-released in 1966. Funded with a $500 wedding gift, Croce recorded it in three hours. Rare today, it was reissued in 2004 with seven additional demo tracks from 1969.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

Jim Croce recorded Facets at Ken-Del Studios in…

Jim Croce recorded Facets at Ken-Del Studios in Wilmington, Delaware, financed by his parents' $500 wedding gift to discourage his music career.

These additional songs were part of a 1969…

These additional songs were part of a 1969 demo tape Croce and his wife Ingrid created to audition for a Boston children's TV show, though they were not selected.

His parents believed the album would fail, pushing…

His parents believed the album would fail, pushing him to abandon music for college.

The album's rarity makes original vinyl copies highly…

The album's rarity makes original vinyl copies highly valuable.

Factory re-released Facets on CD with seven bonus…

Factory re-released Facets on CD with seven bonus tracks.

Watch and listen

Explore the Album

Jim Croce - Facets

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Then

Reception

Despite his parents' doubts, the album sold all 500 copies, earning a $2,500 profit. Instead, Croce sold all 500 copies to fans at local bars, earning $2,500 and proving them wrong.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Facets" is the debut studio album by Jim Croce, self-released in 1966. Funded with a $500 wedding gift, Croce recorded it in three hours. Despite his parents' doubts, the album sold all 500 copies, earning a $2,500 profit. Rare today, it was reissued in 2004 with seven additional demo tracks from 1969.

Jim Croce recorded Facets at Ken-Del Studios in Wilmington, Delaware, financed by his parents' $500 wedding gift to discourage his music career. His parents believed the album would fail, pushing him to abandon music for college. Instead, Croce sold all 500 copies to fans at local bars, earning $2,500 and proving them wrong. The album's rarity makes original vinyl copies highly valuable.

In 2004, Shout! Factory re-released Facets on CD with seven bonus tracks. These additional songs were part of a 1969 demo tape Croce and his wife Ingrid created to audition for a Boston children's TV show, though they were not selected. This marked the first public release of those recordings.