Well the last 40 years has been no “walk in the park”- (Bruce Hornsby) but Indigo Park is here and it perfectly showcases the pure, one of a kind, dedicated restless soul artist that Bruce is and has transformed into after these 40 years and because of it, we have definitely enjoyed the fruits of his labor! The touching music, the well thought out make you think and listen closely lyrics, the passion, the varied, distinct, familiar and unfamiliar palette of offerings and flashes of greatness on this album blends the past, the present, and the future so perfectly! Like never before Bruce is “accepting what’s real” . . . this is a rare glimpse into the personal side of Bruce like never before and some incredible standout gems or “diamonds in the rough” that exemplify Bruce at his best!
1) Indigo Park – of course made its initial splash and set the tone on what was to come, but gives us that reflective look back at those crazy teenage years at the neighborhood Williamsburg pool, and the lyrics generate some pretty cool imagery that comes to life in your mind – driving in maybe as we once did, making a splash in more ways than one, and trying to make a connection with the clicky kids, by either showing off or making a fool of yourself to either make friends or get the girls!
2) Memory Palace – catchy tune right off the bat with thought provoking lyrics that really resonate with us older folks :), as we struggle to remember the name of the person that you just met or what you just had for breakfast! Trying to place the influx of information and the memories of the past in all the right places in that palace in your head – as you age is frustrating and challenging to say the least! Great song!!
3) Entropy (Rust In Peace)- good lyrics from what I can pick up on but still needs to grow on me.
4) Silhouette Shadows – those opening notes are simply moving, reflective, beautiful and a flood of memories that explode- we all do this as we reflect about the past, experiences, playing things back and trying to remember, smiling, crying and and the list of emotions as they try to rush back! Lyrically inspiring and once again a fresh to look back on life-where you have been, what you have done and how far you have come!
5) Ecstatic – That Old Playground and Rainbows has given way to yet another basketball flair or flash of those memories and times of stalking that baseline . . . making the ecstatic moments last!! And nice touch with the reappearance of the great Bonnie Raitt!!! Love the tune!
6) Alabama- Well this will take some getting used to – but once again Bruce does it his way and when you have something to work with from he late great Robert Hunter on a silver platter you definitely move forward (ie- CYCLONE!!!!) and make it a reality! Not my favorite on the album but in time it will have its proper place and meaning! Technically listening so challenging and how he does what he does to churn out his songs is mesmerizing!
7) North Dakota Slate Roof – what a nice surprise with a Dulcimer Folk song on a very diverse album . . . a dream and or ruminating on a crazy idea that becomes a song! The lyrics are jammed packed and rolls of the tongue with once again thought-provoking lyrics that tell a story to bring you into Bruce’s world! Love the idea of the song and another great addition to Bruce’s collection of dulcimer offerings that stand out over the years! And to think when he released Rehab Reunion as an strictly dulcimer focused album, we thought he was crazy- smart move, Bruce and glad you picked this instrument up many years ago and brought into the fold with so many others to make your musical journey that much more magical! When is the Accordion Album coming out?? 🙂
8) Sliver of Time – this is the one, this is the one that moves you, puts life into perspective and greater yet makes you appreciate life and the incredible front row seat we have all had to Bruce’s incredible journey! Life is precious, life is something not take for granted . . . take each opportunity to learn, love, succeed, fail and make the most of it – Bruce certainly has and continues to be blessed over his life and his career, providing us all memories and practically the soundtrack of all of our lives. This song moves you, reaches out and touches your soul . . . we all have just a Sliver of Time . . . Live life to the fullest and listen to the best music around, thanks Bruce!!!! Yahoo, Yippee Yah Yeah, Yippee Yah, Hooray!
9) Might As Well Be Me, Florinda – 2014 SOLO Concerts version gets revived with a whole new look and feel- with infusing Schoenberg, 12 tone dissonant music with the nice touch of the late great Bobby Weir and so many others.
10) Take A Light Strain – Woah, this is heavy and this too is the one at least to me along with Sliver of Time that really leaves its mark and ties up this entire “walk in the park” and or a “walk down memory lane” quite nicely . . . Touching, and indeed a nice tribute to his dad and to take this vision and or dream and turning into a song was inspirational and really quite life changing for him – these moments are special and just like Spirit Trail’s Swan Song – truly resonates with the listener that times or moments like these and even loved ones in life don’t last forever, hold on to each of them, treasure them – feel those chills, soak them in and let these moments move you and allow those synaptic connections inside your miracle brain make you realize that you have one life to live and ride the wave of what this precious life has to offer you . . because Bruce surely has – giving it his all, doing it his way and showcasing what is possible if you don’t commit yourself to settling for less and putting your heart, mind, body and soul into a passion that forces you to break out of what you once were and into something that has definitely left it’s mark on all of us! That’s Just the Way It Is, But Don’t You Believe Them!!!
Thanks Bruce for another incredible, memorable album that definitely celebrates a blessed career and life . . . and one that we are all just fortunate enough to be alive over all these years as we have been a part of this journey!!!
Have a great tour, see you soon and keep on letting your talents shine!
-Aaron M. Pritchett
Long-time Dedicated fan and friend!