2017-02-12



Bruce Hornsby

Ultimate Hornsby Torrent

Download: FLAC/MP3

Si Twining who runs the brilliant Bruuce.com fansite created this gigantic, fantastic overview of Hornsby’s career. All notes are his. – mat

From Si:

Over the years I’ve noted particular favourites of Bruce Hornsby’s performances, whether mine or those well received in the Bruuuce.com community, the website that I run.

A few years ago I produced a list of one hundred of Bruce’s finest and compiled them into a torrent… solo performances, Range, Noisemakers, guest appearances, covers, songs made up on the spot… feedback was hugely positive, and I would like to think that it was a worthy documentation of Bruce’s career up until 2009. I’ve now added an additional ten tracks, recording Bruce’s most recent work and the latest arrangement of his Noisemakers band.

I’ve restricted the choice here to soundboards or decent tapings, so the quality should be of a high standard.

What you have is eleven CDs, which I’ve labelled and given a mini commentary on below.

Thanks very much for reading, and please enjoy your day.

CD One

01. February 26 1977

University of Miami .. Miami, FL

Parisian Thoroughfare

From Bruce’s senior recital; solo piano.

02. September 2 1986

The Bottom Line, New York, NY

The Way It Is variation

Early (mostly solo) variation on The Way It Is. I can hear Red Plains several times in there too.

03. April 18 1987

Daytona Beach Bandshell – Daytona, FL

The Way It Is

Bruce and the Range concerts featured regularly on the radio in the last 80s. Here’s a 12 minute plus version of The Way It Is that made it to air.

04. May 10 1987

Laguna Seca Recreation Area – Monterey, CA

Every Little Kiss

Range show taken from a Westwood One radio broadcast.

05. June 24 1989

Telluride Bluegrass Festival – Telluride, CO

Stranger in a Strange Land

Breakneck speed bluegrass version featuring the New Grass Revival.

06. August 16 1987

Daytona Beach Bandshell – Daytona, FL

The Old Playground

An often overlooked “Scenes” song that I wish we heard more of today. The middle to end is a jam that the present-day Noisemakers would take to a ridiculous level.

07. September 24 1988

Madison Square Garden – New York, NY

Valley Road

It’s funny to compare this to countless modern day versions of this song (see #90) – this is as close to the original as you’ll hear, yet still far removed.

08. June 14 1990

Paramount Studios, Los Angeles, CA

Barren Ground

From the Night on the Town video, this features Jerry Garcia.

09. October 15 1990

Paradiso, Amsterdam, Netherlands

On the Western Skyline > Not Fade Away > Night on the Town

CD Two

10. June 21 1993

Jazz Cafe, London

The Weight

From Bruce’s last tour of Europe with a band, The Band’s classic, accompanied by North London’s inebriated finest leaning on the piano (I was one of them).

11. June 23 1993

Hamburg, Germany

Pastures of Plenty

Voted by Bruuuce.com visitors as their favourite studio jam, it translates predictably well (although rarely) to a live setting. This jazz-infused version (and The Weight above) was from a tour of Bruce, Molo, JT Thomas and Jimmy Haslip (Yellowjackets).

12. September 4 1993

Classic Amphitheater – Richmond, VA

Rainbow’s Cadillac

Always one of my favourite live songs, and it’s the old piano-driven version.

13. October 16 1993

The Backyard – Austin, TX

Madman Across the Water

The tribute record that Bruce mentions is Elton John’s “Two Rooms”. John D’earth nails it here.

14. October 30 1993

Orlando, FL

Jacob’s Ladder > Higher and Higher

An eleven minute version (and Bruce briefly forgets the words). Great Jimmy Haslip solo three minutes in.

15. October 31 1993

Tampa Performing Arts Center – Tampa, FL

Down the Road Tonight

A great example of Bruce’s horns section at the time.

16. November 12 1993

Arie Crown Theatre – Chicago, IL

Harbor Lights > Look Out Any Window

I always loved Molo’s drum intro to this.

17. March 31 1994

University of Miami – Miami, FL

Fire on the Cross

Bruce returned to the University of Miami for the first of his orchestral shows.

18. March 31 1994

University of Miami – Miami, FL

Night on the Town

A dramatic orchestral version – too good to leave out, so I’ve included two from the same show!

19. July 23 1994

Promenade Park – Toledo, OH

Defenders of the Flag

Debbie Henry’s vocals give me the chills on this one.

CD Three

20. August 1 1994

The Strand – York, PA

The River Runs Low

Solo version of an always-popular ballad from Bruce’s first record.

21. August 29 1995

Melody Fair Theatre – North Tonawanda, NY

Iko Iko

This show is widely regarded as one of Bruce’s best. This was a New Orleans take on Iko Iko.

22. September 3 1995

FM Kirby Center – Wilkes-Barre, PA

Swing Street

I wish this song got more attention today! Molo’s intricate start to this song was always a highlight for the band!

23. October 27 1995

Manhattan Center – New York, NY

Cruise Control

Just a great show taped for TV. Look for the “Bruce Hornsby and Friends” DVD. They’re all having so much fun on this song, and Molo is a joy to behold!

24. October 27 1995

Manhattan Center – New York, NY

End of the Innocence

From the same show, this features Don Henley (This was the second take).

25. October 27 1995

Manhattan Center – New York, NY

The Tide Will Rise

Bonnie Raitt guests.

26. December 5 1995

The Melkweg, Amsterdam, Holland

Spider Fingers

Bruce was so happy with how the piano sounded at this solo show that he bought it.

27. December 8 1995

Brussels, Belgium

Imagine > Friends

Not the greatest quality sound but the music is beautiful. Surprise Elton cover at the end.

28. December 16 1995

Winterthur, Switzerland

You Can Close Your Eyes > I Will Walk With You

A James Taylor cover that I haven’t heard before or since, seamlessly into an “old” version of I Will Walk With You. (It’s been reworked more than once since).

29. April 4 1996

Wheeler Opera House – Aspen, CO

Country Doctor

Interesting to compare this one to more recent versions, where the horns would take the lead rather than Doug on guitar.

30. April 10 1996

EMU Ballroom, University of Oregon – Eugene, OR

Sugaree

Maybe the second most popular Dead cover(!)… Bobby Read always makes this song.

31. April 12 1996

The Fillmore – San Francisco, CA

Jack Straw

Had to be done at the Fillmore – especially when Bob Weir is in the house…

CD Four

32. April 23 1996

Newport Music Hall – Columbus, OH

Terrapin Station > I Know You Rider

Bruce changes direction after a few bars of I Know You Rider into a gorgeous Terrapin referencing Jerry… and then back again.

33. April 24 1996

Miller Auditorium – Kalamazoo, MI

Sunset Road

A Bela Fleck composition, performed with the man himself.

34. May 6 1996

The Roxy – Atlanta, GA

Another Day > Uptight

Some improv lyrics after a minute or so, and a brief Stevie Wonder cover and Debbie Henry is right with him.

35. May 24 1996

Strand Theater – Providence, RI

Carry the Water

JV on bass, JT on keyboard takes turns excelling on this. Another than I wish were more prominent today.

36. June 5 1996

Community Arts Center – Williamsport, PA

Tangled Up in Blue

First time this song was covered by the band in six years.

37. July 2 1996

Blossom Music Center – Cuyahoga Falls, OH

Mandolin Rain > That Would Be Something > Brokedown Palace

Iconic Bruce song into an iconic Dead song, from the ’96 Furthur tour.

38. July 4 1996

Darien Lake Performing Arts Center – Darien Lake, NY

Mighty Quinn

Popular show closer and a real blast.

39. July 6 1996

Saratoga Performing Arts Center – Saratoga Springs, NY

Rainbow’s Cadillac

No apologies for including this song twice. I love this version – probably my favourite. Featuring Giovanni Hidalgo.

40. July 6 1996

Saratoga Performing Arts Center – Saratoga Springs, NY

Scarlet Begonias

From the same show, a “Latinised” dead song again featuring Giovanni.

41. July 29 1996

I Shall Be Released

Who can resist an old Bob Dylan cover? Not Bobby Read, apparently – fantastic.

42. August 15 1996

Factory Girl

An improved song – lyrics and all – stemming from a misheard song request.

CD Five

43. October 9 1997

Salem Civic Center – Salem, VA

Across the River

Another orchestral show, providing a truly unique take on a Bruce classic.

44. October 9 1997

Salem Civic Center – Salem, VA

Look Out Any Window

The intro to this song always appealed to me – the orchestra version moved me a lot.

45. April 25 1998

Flint Center – Cupertino, CA

The Boxer

“It’s too bad, no-one ever requests songs like this…”

46. July 28 1998

The Strand – York, PA

How Far Am I From Canaan

Solo piano take on a gospel standard.

47. July 28 1998

The Strand – York, PA

Cassidy’s Cadillac

Little Cassidy is invited on stage, takes to the piano and steals the show.

48. August 22 1998

Sokol Blosser Winery – Dundee, OR

Spider Fingers > Disco medley

What Bruce and the band are all about inside 15 minutes. A seamless disco medley coming out of a throwaway comment from Bruce to introduce it. His closing comment says it all.

49. October 27 1998

Yoshi’s – Oakland, CA

Sugaree

A (largely) solo Sugaree which more than justifies a second inclusion for this song! Dave Ellis shows up late in the song.

50. October 27 1998

Yoshi’s – Oakland, CA

Swan Song

Another from the extended Yoshi’s run in ’98, just as Spirit Trail was coming out.

51. October 27 1998

Yoshi’s – Oakland, CA

Sunlight Moon

Another from Spirit Trail. I think the quality of this recording is one of the best I’ve heard.

52. October 31 1998

Yoshi’s – Oakland, CA

Girl From the North Country

Featuring Steve Kimock.

53. November 1 1998

Yoshi’s – Oakland, CA

The River Runs Low

I always thought this was a unique song live as it’s almost played straight, like the record.

CD Six

54. November 6 1998

Yoshi’s – Oakland, CA

Loser

Michael Baker completely wings this on drums. I was just learning about the Grateful Dead in 1998 – this sold me.

55. November 7 1998

Yoshi’s – Oakland, CA

Sunflower Cat

One of the first performances of this song. Bruce had to remind them how it ended.

56. November 7 1998

Yoshi’s – Oakland, CA

Tango King

Doug Derryberry had just joined, and Kimock was sitting in. You can hear Bruce coaching him through the song as it was being played.

57. March 26 1999

Paramount Arts Center – Ashland, KY

Play That Funky Music White Boy

Comedic response to a request.

58. March 26 1999

Paramount Arts Center – Ashland, KY

Dixie Lullaby

This one used to come out of Swing Street a lot. Nice solo version.

59. March 28 1999

Memorial Hall – Williamsburg, VA

Fields of Gray > Terrapin Station

Possibly my favourite version of this song… and into another gorgeous Terrapin.

60. March 30 1999

Memorial Hall – Williamsburg, VA

King of the Hill > Blackberry Blossom > Tempus Fugit

If anybody asks what two-handed independence is… play them this.

61. March 30 1999

Memorial Hall – Williamsburg, VA

Sad Moon

From another solo show, and maybe an even better example of the two hands together.

62. April 1 1999

Memorial Hall – Williamsburg, VA

Let the Girls Rock

Bruce revisits an old song – he gives the story.

63. April 1 1999

Memorial Hall – Williamsburg, VA

I Can’t Make You Love Me

Bruce knows full well that he won’t hit the high notes in the original key, but tries it anyway. Will he make it…?

64. April 22 1999

Proctor’s Theater – Schenectady, NY

Stander on the Mountain

A very different version of this song I think, with Way It Is teases thrown in.

CD Seven

65. June 18 2000

Telluride Bluegrass Festival – Telluride, CO

Jumping Jack Flash

It doesn’t get more unique than this. A bluegrass version of Jumping Jack Flash featuring Sam Bush. Bluegrass saxophone!

66. October 18 2000

Salem Civic Center – Salem, VA

Lost Soul

The last orchestral show, also featuring Steve Kimock.

67. December 13 2000

Expression Center for New Media – Emeryville, CA

Line in the Dust

Taken from a KFOG radio broadcast. Doug is tremendous here.

68. June 30 2002

Villa Montalvo – Saratoga, CA

Take Out the Trash

For a long time I’d call this my all-time favourite live performance of a song. The song is just so frivolous in nature, and JT proves why Bruce calls him “the best keyboard player in the band”.

69. July 1 2002

Villa Montalvo – Saratoga, CA

Crown of Jewels

A slower version of a regular favourite.

70. September 24 2002

Keswick Theater – Glenside, PA

Place Under the Sun

When I first heard this song on Big Swing Face, I said that this was an extended jam intro waiting to happen. Thankfully, I was right. Featuring the late, great R.S.Hornsby.

71. September 28 2002

Landmark Theater – Syracuse, NY

Great Divide > Across the Great Divide

Extended solo piano intro into two divide songs(!). Listen to how quickly Doug is into the switch, and he clearly loves singing it.

72. October 5 2002

Haymaker Music Festival – Spotsylvania, VA

Cartoons and Candy

Bruce’s brother Bobby called this their best show in years. A lengthy twelve minute version, and another where Doug is clearly having a blast with the Prince-esque vocals.

73. October 5 2002

Haymaker Music Festival – Spotsylvania, VA

Tongue-n-Groove

The Noisemakers’ take on a Steve Kimock classic.

CD Eight

74. September 19 2004

Handelsbeurs – Gent, Belgium

Halcyon Days

I followed this European solo tour around for a bit, and this song always seemed to get the best reaction.

75. September 19 2004

Handelsbeurs – Gent, Belgium

This Too Shall Pass

I prefer the solo version of this – such as this version from Belgium.

76. October 9 2004

Ovens Auditorium – Charlotte, NC

Fortunate Son > Comfortably Numb

Always a favourite, and the Floyd cover is now a staple in a Hornsby show (or as much as any song is ever a staple in a Hornsby show).

77. October 19 2004

Ridgefield Opera House – Ridgefield, CT

Mirror on the Wall

Since reworked as a much mellower song on the dulcimer, I love this version, and especially Bobby Read.

78. October 22 2004

The Strand, York, PA

Candy Mountain Run > Darlin Corey

Nice switch into Darlin Corey and references throughout. “Dig a hole in the mountain…”

79. October 23 2004

Calvin Theater – Northampton, MA

Drums > What a Time > Inflight

“Drum solo” came the request. Sonny Emory obliged. A more than worthy testament to Keith Jarrett’s “Inflight” also.

80. October 26 2004 (late show)

Blue Note – New York, NY

Sneaking Up On Boo Radley

This was long after soundboard taping had stopped, so I included a few from this as I think the wuality is amazing.

81. October 26 2004 (late show)

Blue Note – New York, NY

Resting Place

This version made the documentary portion of the “Three Nights on the Town” DVD. Bill Evans features.

82. October 26 2004 (late show)

Blue Note – New York, NY

See the Same Way

More from the miniscule Blue Note. I always love this song, and the intro earns its inclusion here.

CD Nine

83. November 6 2004

Kimmel Center – Philadelphia, PA

Lost in the Snow

Rare piano solo from Halcyon Days translates realy nicely live.

84. November 20 2004

Great Divide > Sir Duke > 1999

I bugged Bruce for years to play Sir Duke, so I love that it made it onto several lists when he finally gave in. When people realised what the band were moving into from here (it took them a while!), they went crazy.

85. November 22 2004

McDonald Theatre – Eugene, OR

Big Rumble > Mandolin Rain

The “new” minor-key Mandolin Rain gets an airing out of Big Rumble.

86. November 30 2004

Denver Palace of Fine Arts, Denver, CO

The Chill

This was the first song I heard from Big Swing Face, and always loved Kimock’s solo. Bobby take it on here.

87. December 9 2004

Murat Center – Indianapolis, IN

Circus on the Moon

My favourite version of this song was actually a cover by the Dave Rich Band! This is a cracking version towards the end of the ’04 tour.

88. February 19 2005

Paramount Theatre – Austin, TX

Gonna Be Some Changes Made

Wonderful dissonant intro between Bruce and Sonny.

89. February 19 2005

Paramount Theatre – Austin, TX

The Show Goes On

The song has really taken on a gospel feel in the last few years. This is as good an example as I could find.

90. April 30 2005

McDowell Music Festival – Scottsdale, AZ

Valley Road > Rag Doll

I’ve lost count how many different, reworked versions of this song we’ve heard. The switch into an Aerosmith classic tells you how flexible Valley Road is.

91. April 30 2005

McDowell Music Festival – Scottsdale, AZ

White-Wheeled Limousine

A rare (for this period) soundboard taping.

CD Ten

92. July 21 2005

Humphrey’s By The Bay – San Diego, CA

Big Stick

Always a crowd dancing favourite (as you can probably hear).

93. July 20 2006

Mountain Winery – Saratoga, CA

Funhouse > He’s Gone > You Sexy Thing

The Mountain Winery always produces a great performance. Always look for Bobby Read in Funhouse.

94. July 20 2006

Mountain Winery – Saratoga, CA

The Good Life

Another for Bobby Read. He was red hot during this show (and tour, actually).

95. August 11 2006

Biltmore Estate – Asheville, NC

Go Back To Your Woods

From the famous “Biltmo'”… Bruce and co are joined by Joe Lee.

96. August 11 2006

Biltmore Estate – Asheville, NC

Sunflower Cat > King Harvest

The “King Harvest” appearances throughout this tour were a huge highlight for me – this was maybe my top version.

97. August 14 2008

Boarding House Park – Lowell, MA

Black Rats of London

The debut of “Black Rats”, from the Levitate record, which was yet to be released at this point.

98. September 26 2009

Town Hall – New York, NY

Cyclone

With lyrics by Robert Hunter, this is fast becoming my favourite Hornsby song (for today).

99. September 26 2009

Town Hall – New York, NY

Prairie Dog Town

This was when the dulcimer starting coming out to play.

100. October 8 2009

Burlington, VT

Continents Drift

I spoke with Doug about his solo here, which was played by R.S. Hornsby on the record. Bruce had asked him to play it as close to the original as possible.

CD Eleven

101. June 11 2011

Manchester, TN

Shadow Hand

Bruce was asked to play an impromptu “dulcimer only” set at Bonnaroo in 2011. He played every song he knew at the time – and this was one of them.

102. September 18 2011

Saratoga, CA

Lost Soul

In 1990, Shawn Colvin guested on the Night on the Town record to sing Lost Soul. Over 20 years later, she and Bruce revisited that collaboration in Saratoga.

103. April 1 2012

Oakland, CA

Talk of the Town

A solo rendition, marked by a segue into Bruce’s jazz composition recorded with Jack Dejohnette and Christian McBride named “Charlie, Woody and You”, closing out with Elliot Carter’s “Catenaires”. I’ve included Bruce’s background explanation after the song. Bruce began introducing a lot more of the modern classical music at around this time.

104. June 20 2012

Pittsburgh, PA

Valley Road

The only song to “three-peat” on this list, emphasising just how malleable it is. This is the “dulcimer and washboard” version, featuring the great Sonny Emory.

105. July 29 1012

Floyd, VA

The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down

Bruce’s love for Levon Helm is well covered, and this performance at Floyd Fest was recorded a few months after Levon’s passing.

106. September 26 2012

Amherst, NY

Where’s the Bat

Bruce began adding songs from his work-in-progress musical SCKBSTD to his repertoire. This is one of the more popular ones… I’ve included Bruce’s background story to explain why the audience appreciate it so much.

107. September 26 2012

Amherst, NY

Might As Well Be Me

Another song co-written with Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter.

108. July 5 2013

Eugene, OR

I’ll Take You There

First time this was performed; this is another song written with Robert Hunter.

109. June 27 2014

Black Mountain, NC

Life in the Psychotropics

The first appearance on this list for the “new” Noisemakers, after Ross Holmes (fiddle and mandolin) and Gibb Droll (guitar) replaced Bobby Read and Doug Derryberry.

110. July 5 2014

Wilmington, NC

What a Time > The Dreaded Spoon

Ross Holmes features strongly on fiddle throughout this track.

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