He may have had some commercial success early on, but Bruce Hornsby was never a pop star in any sense of the word. He never really wanted to be, actually. Something about the guileless single “The Way It Is” pushed him into that spotlight in the mid 1980s; he's told just about everyone who will listen it was a fluke.
The Virginia native’s motives have been evident from early on for those paying attention: he’s far more interested in challenging himself and his fans than just about anything else.
Hornsby is a methodical tightrope walker on the ivories – maybe even piano’s answer to “the Great Blondin,” Jean-François Gravelet – and his eloquent, right-hand piano runs and syncopated melodies are instantly recognizable. Like Gravelet, he has never played it safe. Whether in career “left turns” with jazz and blues musicians, producing Leon Russell, writing for Chaka Khan and Don Henley, or picking up Brent Mydland’s keyboard gig with the Grateful Dead, he delights most by following his creative muse.
Intersections [1985 - 2005], the stunning 4 CD/1DVD box set spanning Hornsby’s 20-year recording career, celebrates more left turns and unique collaborations than pop star moments. It’s a supremely masterful collection and certainly not for the faint of heart. Fans of his singles (most which makes up the first disc of Intersections) should pick up his single Greatest Radio Hits disc instead.
The second disc is among the most beautiful, emotive and fascinating work in the collection. It gleans Hornsby’s performances from tribute records, his film soundtrack work and some delicious solo piano works – identified as “Song A” and so on through the early alphabet. (His “Song H” had a Grammy nod this year Best Pop Instrumental Performance against Béla Fleck, Brian Setzer Orchestra, Enya and George Benson). All great stuff, and a lot of it new.
Article comments
1 - DJRadiohead
This is a well-done review, Peter.
2 - Mat Brewster
Yes, and its a really great box too. I was very pleased with the amount of great live material included.
3 - DJRadiohead
I have been curious about this set after reading Sir Brewster's review. I think I should probably start with the radio hits disc to familiarize myself a little more before jumping into such an ambitious and generous set.
4 - Mat Brewster
There was a two disk, live set released a few years back called Here Come the Noisemakers, which is excellent and a good place to start. A lot of Hornsby's studio stuff isn't all that good, to my ears anyway, but he's an amazing musician, and this comes out better in the live performance.
5 - Mark Saleski
i agree, Noisemakers is a great place to start for the uninitiated. Hornsby is definitely looser in the live setting.
that said, i do really love Harbor Lights.
6 - Mat Brewster
Harbor Lights definitely has a looser feel to it, and it is a good album. Of course I'm sure the fact that Methany and Garcia having guest spots on it, has nothing to do with your opinion Saleski.
7 - Mark Saleski
well, that sure doesn't hurt. though i really think that the best moment on the record is at the start with those HUUUUGE piano chords.