The second disk, labeled “Solo Piano, Tribute Records, Country-bluegrass, Movie Songs” contains just that. The first seven songs are instrumental piano numbers uniquely titles “Songs A-H”. The rest are songs Hornsby either played on for friends and co-conspirators, movie soundtracks, and tribute albums.
The remaining two disks, named “By Request” are fan favorites and personal selections.
Interestingly, Hornsby has elected to keep most of his up tempo numbers as the officially released studio version. It is on his slower ballads that he has brought unreleased liver versions to this set. This is perhaps because fans were treated to primo live versions of his faster songs on the 2000 release Here Come the Noisemakers. Or, perhaps it is because live, his up tempo numbers can stretch into double digits, minute wise, which would leave few spaces for more songs.
Whatever the reason, we are still left with a tremendous collections of songs showcasing one of the more talented musicians of the last 20 years.
The boxed set is encased in a lovely three fold binder and includes a 59 page booklet highlighting his career. It includes a personal note from Bruce about each of the songs, numerous photographs, an a tongue-in-cheek retrospective of the critical assessment of his albums (including a number of reviews completely panning his work).
Also included in the set is a DVD full of videos clips (ranging from super cheesy ready-for-MTV videos from the 80’s to highly stylized clips directed by Spike Lee to live performances with the Grateful Dead, Roger Waters and even the “Star Spangled Banner” performed with Branford Marsalis at the World Series.)
This is an excellent set, filled with enough new material to please the biggest fans, and yet so accessible as to find a few new fans along the way.
Article comments
1 - DJRadiohead
"BREWWWWWWWWWWWW!"
That's what the kids scream when they read your articles, Sir Brewster. Enjoyed this one. Sounds like a well-constructed box set.
2 - Mat Brewster
And all this time I thougth the voices in my head were jeering me.
Tis a very nice set. Something I forgot to mention, and is my one complaint, the booklet is horribly binded. It fell apart upon my first opening it.
3 - Roberta Rosenberg
I've enjoyed Bruce's work for many years and always keep a few of his CDs and tapes (I'd old, the car is old) in my car. But did you know that Bruce Hornsby also offers auto theft protection?
One summer morning about 10 years ago, my husband and I awoke to discover that both our cars, sitting so nicely in our driveway, had been broken into. Hubby likes the head-banging stuff and his change and all of his music were cleanly lifted. My car, except for some pocket change, was left untouched. The lousy little criminals did rifle through my music but left all my Bruce Hornsby and Enya tapes. I'm sure it was dismissed with a "Crap, chick music."
I had a friend make me a bumper sticker that said simply, "This car protected by Bruce Hornsby and Enya. You have been warned." Car was never touched again.
I'll have to get hubby to get me this for the Holidays. I have a new car. It needs protection.
4 - Mat Brewster
That's a great story Roberta. I simply must get me a similar sticker. Thanks for reading.
5 - Aaron Fleming
I already commented on your blog entry, but I'll repeat myself here: sounds like a damn fine box.
And I think the "Brewwwwww" tribal call should be enacted as soon as possible.
6 - Mat Brewster
Thanks Sir Fleming. I know Hornsby isn't exactly your type of tunage, but it is a very cool box.
7 - Connie Phillips
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