Camp Meeting thoughts

Just bought my copy off itunes. I have to say, I’ve not really bought much jazz in the past, never really got past Miles Davis. So I cant say I know too much about it. But I’m really enjoying this album.

It isn’t too different to the sound we are used to with live Bruce Hornsby.

So far my fave tracks are the title track (which just sounds like its been taken from a noisemakers live show) & We’ll Be Together Again (outro is sensational).

Allot of it reminds of the stuff Bruce did on Spirit Trail.

Hopefully the trio show hits Chicago. That said, still waiting for the hornsby/skaggs show to stop by too.

Si, how did you get your copy so quickly? I pre-ordered from Amazon.com but it was only despatched on Monday. I reckon it will be next week at the earliest before it arrives.

I really loved the Keith Jarrett song. That really stands out. Also classic songs from Bud Powell and Miles Davis.

His original songs are less so, I think, in some instances. The ideas presented here sound very familiar to some live work from “Jacob’s Ladder” and from the intro to “Gonna Be Some Changes Made”. But they sound awesome nonetheless!

I’d love one day to see Bruce do some totally improvised live performances. This jazz trio seriously needs to add some more tour dates to their schedule. I can’t afford to go to the Newport Jazz Fest–although it would be well worth the money considering the line-up.

Listened to a bit of it in the store (will pick it up very soon, my CD spending budget is quite minimal at the moment) and it is far, far better than I could have expected. I was stunned by the immediate chemistry on “Questions & Answers” and “Charlie, Woody and You,” and Hornsby’s true facility in the jazz idiom. He’s not just faking it, he’s truly engaging DeJohnette and McBride at their level. The drum machine on “Giant Steps” turned me off a little, but maybe it works in the grand scheme of things. Overall, I’m very, very impressed.

For those of you who like this record and haven’t really made many forays into jazz, I highly suggest Keith Jarrett’s entire output, but especially Belonging, Shades of Jazz, Tokyo ’96 and Whisper Not (the last two featuring DeJohnette on drums), as well as Fred Hersch – Live at the Village Vanguard and Trio Plays…

Got mine on Friday and listened to it as much as possible over the weekend. The bluegrass stuff was more my cup of tea, but this is undeniably cool. I feel like I’m growing more “hip” the more I listen to it. The songs that are credited to Bruce — including Charlie, Woody & You and Camp Meeting — are my favorites. I suppose it’s because they are most similar to his usual style? I like the slower-paced stuff, too, like Death and the Flower.

Thanks to Dana for the links to the professional reviews. I’d agree with the one who criticised the “tinny” drum sound; It seemed a little jarring at first. But kudos for reaching for something beyond the expected. Also thanks to DavidR for the Keith Jarrett recommendations.

I’d say this is good enough, along with the Ricky Skaggs record, to significantly improve Bruce’s batting average at next year’s Grammys. Unfortunately, neither category is likely to be televised.

Vic

It’s time! I’ve been quiet on this one for too long! I’ve been jumping out of my skin to give a few thoughts, but wanted to listen a while longer before I did. I know that this will get a few of you out of your “comfort zone” with Bruce, but at least take some time to listen to it. I think you will enjoy it! Let me give you some thoughts.

The first thing you need to do is purchase the CD! 😆 When you do, the second thing is to open it! 😆 I know that is a hard thing to do with the shrink wrap, but once you do, it will be a “Camp Meeting” with you and Bruce!

There is so much to say, but I will contain this writing to Bruce’s song’s. Here are my first thoughts, subject to change, but like I said, I know it will probably get most of you out of your “comfort zone”.

My favorite song so far is Stacked Mary Possum. It has some great piano that you will like! Bruce really dances on the keyboard with this one! It is “upbeat” and it “builds”. I love a song that “builds”! When I first heard this one, I thought to myself, “Yeah”!

My second favorite song so far is Un Poco Loco/Chant Song. This one really “builds”. As DavidR puts it, Bruce “engages” very well on this one! To me, this is more like “salsa” than jazz. Sort of reminds me of a more mature and more sophisticated Joe Jackson, but better! (What do you Brits think about that?) (Would love to hear Dave Rich’s & Si’s thoughts on that comment!) My first thought after I heard it was, “Wow”!

My third favorite song so far is Camp Meeting. This also has some great piano! Great intro! You will reconize what you like in Bruce here! If you like Bruce in concert, and I know you do, you will like this because it changes themes many times! This song gets “down and dirty”. You will like it! You can almost see Bruce playing this at a show as you listen! When I first heard this one, I thought “Wow”!

Then, there is Charlie, Woody and You! If you like to hear Bruce at solo shows, then you can visualize Bruce playing this one! (Didn’t he play this at Boone?) This is another “dance on the keyboard” song! Very creative!
I must say that Christian McBride & Jack DeJohnette do a great job! They blend very well!

That’s enough for now! That’s just a few thoughts. Do yourself a favor! Purchase the CD, open it and just listen to those four songs! I know it will get you out of your “comfort zone”, but to get strong, you need to be stretched every once in a while! If you don’t have a “Camp Meeting” with Bruce, then we might need to have some Questions and Answers!

(More to say about the other songs later. )

David Day
Lake Lanier, GA

Hmmm, I think I might’ve heard about this somewhere…..

Glad to see you’re back and online again, Si!

Now that you are out of your comfort zone, check out Celia. You will like it. Concentrate on the piano. A strong theme, some strong chords, but this is what you like about Bruce! The ability to change from chords to dancing on the piano in a heartbeat! It’s very refreshing! It’s very lively! If you concentrate on the piano, it’s everything you like about Bruce!

Next, check out Straight, No Chaser. This will stretch you a little more, but it’s excellent! Great theme! If you like the way Bruce “frolics” on the piano, you can’t help but like this one! For a short song, it “builds”. I can’t help but think of Schroder on this one!

Then check out Solar, it starts out like a solo song, which I know you like. Then, changes into another theme with both strong chords and dancing on the keyboard. It’s very creative! Everything you like about Bruce! This will stretch you the most so far. It changes themes several times which you like about Bruce, but then comes back to the familiar. Your “resting place”. A great ending!

David Day
Lake Lanier, GA

David Day wrote:

Camp Meeting is meant to be a “renewed attention or interest in something” and a “new presentation of something old”! That it is!
If you keep that in mind, you will love it!

One final thought!

This is everything you love in Bruce! Just a different form of presentation! That’s all! Just a different form of presentation!

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it! 😆

David Day
Lake Lanier, GA

Just one more final thought. 😆

I couldn’t help but post this reply from Bruce from his website! Even though my post was about his solo show at Boone, I think it is very applicable to Camp Meeting!

If you let Bruce “move forward and grow”, you will like it!

Date: 07-24-2007 12:06:22 PM Posted by: David Day
Bruce’s Reply:
Thanks, David, for being so interested. I’m just trying to continue to move forward and grow.

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it! 😆

David Day
Lake Lanier, GA

I’m totally clueless when it comes to word games…will we get an answer to which song it is????