Bruce Hornsby
McGlohon Theatre
Nov. 10, 2012
Watching Bruce Hornsby’s fingers glide from one end of the keys to the other is akin to a musical conversation between his right and left hands. All while the intense gaze of the maestro never wavered. Simply put, Hornsby’s concert at the McGlohon Theatre at Spirit Square on Nov. 10 was a virtuoso musical showcase of man and piano.
It wasn’t the songs he performed, it was the performance. Comfortably dressed in a black, long-sleeved T-shirt with matching tennis shoes and jeans, Hornsby put on a disply that was simply astounding. With influences and collaborations over the years that have included Ornette Coleman, Charlie Haden and Jerry Garcia, Hornsby has the ability to mix it up with anyone from rappers to Ricky Scaggs.
The solo setting showcased where he is musically these days, which is not playing a string of hits. Opening with a classical piece, Hornsby played songs from his score of the new Spike Lee film Red Hook Summer – “A great way to age gracefully scoring films” – a play he is writing called SCKBSTD and other somewhat obscure pieces from his vast repertoire.
Not wanting to disappoint those fans who came to hear his radio songs, Hornsby included “Valley Road,” “End Of The Innocence” and “The Way It Is.” Highlights also included “You Can’t Make Me Love You,” which he co-wrote for Bonnie Raitt, “Sad Song,” “A Night On The Town” and the aptly named “Spider Fingers.”
The evening’s selections seemed to be designed to constantly challenge Hornsby. While the effort may have been lost on the casual listener, I for one will never forget it.
This article appears in Nov 7-13, 2012.
I went to hear the oldies. I did not really enjoy hearing the eclectic work of his. He seemed to be taunting those who were there to hear his popular songs. I considered that evening a waste of time and money
The Bonnie Raitt song is called “I can’t make you love me”. He did not co-write the song though his beautiful piano on the track Bonnie recorded, would make it seem so. He did co-write “The End of the Innocence” with Don Henley.
So glad to hear that Bruce wears matching tennis shoes. Nothing so lame as wearing mismatched shoes! lol
Hornsby could stand on his head for two hours and it would still be an amazing concert. His keen sense to improvise is part of the magic that Hornsby provides, always loved his blugrass meets street jazz/everthing else style..love the “two hand independence” !
Seriously if your going just to hear his old songs, why not just stay home and listen to the album. Its all about growing with your favorite artists. You have to expect new, which Bruce Hornsby always brings to his shows.
I own all of the studio albums and love them. But these day, I gravitate to my library of free and purchased live shows. BH live, with or without the Noisemakers, is where the real action is. I have been able to hear two solo and several BH and the Noisemakers shows. The solo shows are as every bit exciting as the ones with the band. Just different. I like that Bruce is continually reinventing his music, making it fresh for the audience and for himself to play. He mixes it up with the old, the new, and a cover here or there. I have never been disappointed, other than a venue that restricts the length of the show.