As I drove through the Berkshires of Massachusetts yesterday, I switched back and forth between Joe Satriani's Surfing With The Alien and Hornsby's new Camp Meeting. Yes, a huge contrast in sounds, no doubt about that. But that area of the state affords huge contrasts in viewing: gorgeous mountain outlooks vs. old, abandoned houses and hotels. Really weird. Really beautiful.
So now Hornsby has made a full-on jazz record, with Christian McBride on bass and Jack DeJohnette on drums. I could see this move coming from way off. Obviously Bruce has both the chops and the ideas to pull it off. Hornsby puts his folksy twist on some well-known jazz tunes as well as a few of his own compositions and even an Ornette Coleman rarity. This isn't just a record for Hornsby fans who might be interested in jazz. No, it's a jazz record all the way through.
The interplay between these individuals is stunning, like they've been playing together for years. 'Chemistry' is the word.
And now I've got to get back to hanging out with a friend who I've known for a very long time. We have a whole lot of nothing to get to.
Article comments
1 - Tom Johnson
I was really curious about this when I saw it on your Tuesday piece. I hoped Amazon would put up some clips but, disappointingly, not yet.
I too had a kind of negative reaction to Bruce way back when, but strangely enough it was more due to a couple of my friends who pretty much ruined any enjoyment I might have gotten out of "The Way It Is." It was how he sang "get a job" in one of the lines that caught their attention, and every time it came on the radio, they'd both exaggeratedly talk-sing that line. They hated the song, I quite liked it but ultimately their jabs at the song pretty much destroyed it - I couldn't hear it without hearing them singing that line. I still can't think of it without that damned line being emphasized, and rings on and on throughout the song in my head. So, to Josh (who is still a close friend, despite this) and John (who I've long since lost touch with), "Thanks, assholes."
2 - Tom Johnson
Cool! There are lengthy excerpts from each track up on Hornsby's site. This sounds great. I would never have guessed it was Hornsby at the piano. Definitely high on my list.
3 - Mark Saleski
it really is that good.