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He’s back!
I’ve been putting off so many thoughts for the past several months that it’s finally time to put them down in writing for discussion. I want to try to pull together many questions that you have brought up as well as many questions that I have brought up and pull them together into one forum. Therefore, More Thoughts From A Road Scholar!
There are so many that actually relate:
Has Bruce peaked?
What about the new jazz record?
Who are the players in the jazz record?
What about JV & Sonny?
What will Bruce be playing down the road?
And some predictions from a Road Scholar.
Any many more!You don’t want to miss this! I encourage everyone to participate and share your thoughts! Your thoughts are valued! ❗
David Day
Lake Lanier, GAMore Thoughts From A Road Scholar!
The first item I want to open for discussion is:
Has Bruce peaked?
:It appears to me for the time being, that Bruce has peaked. Not to say that he can’t peak again, but for now Bruce has peaked.
It seems to me, that there has been several peaks in his music already. Halcyon Days and the tour of 2005 was a peak. Or, do you think the tour of 2006 was a peak?
What do you think some of Bruce’s peaks have been in his music?
:David Day
Lake Lanier, GAI think Bruce personally peaked around the time of Here Come the Noisemakers and Big Swing Face, but that the Noisemakers only really cohered once Sonny Emory jumped aboard. That period from 2000-2003 is possibly the strongest era of Hornsby’s playing and band interaction. Halcyon Days didn’t do much for me as a record, and the songs don’t really do much for me live – at least, not the versions I’ve heard. Big Swing Face was a cool experiment and forced Bruce out of his comfort zone, but Halcyon Days seems like a bit of a re-hash of everything. I appreciate his Randy Newman attempts (“Hooray for Tom,” “What The Hell Happened,” “Heir Gordon”) but he’s not as lyrically incisive as he needs to be to succeed there. Compare “What the Hell Happened” (the most Newman-esque of them all) to “Political Science” or Tom Waits’ “Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis.”
I think the upcoming year, with all the different tangential records (bluegrass, jazz, etc), mark another peak in Bruce’s development, as he devotes significant attention to the different elements of his style. I hope so, anyway. He’ll succeed in it all – I really think he just needs to keep challenging himself. I don’t know that we’ll see another great developmental leap, like Harbor Lights or Spirit Trail, but maybe we will, who knows.
David
Has Bruce peaked?
Live in concert Bruce is always getting better. Stretching songs in different directions and making what was once old, new again. The latest Bruce concert is always stretched out more than previous shows.
In the studio… thats a different story. Personally, I feel Halcyon Days was a let down to me as a fan of Bruce. I kept feeling like the album was made for record execs instead of his hardcore fans. I remember the first time I heard Dreamland when he sang “isn’t this so nice, so nice” and thinking that line was just to try to sell his recording contract to a new company…. and it worked since he signed the deal with Columbia. I really felt Halcyon Days was a COMPROMISE between artistic integrity and commercial success. I’d much rather see Bruce continue on his own path (like he did with Spirit Trail and Big Swing Face) than to make a record that is a better fit to make the radio charts.
With that said, I am really looking forward to the bluegrass record with Skaggs. Bruce played a few rough cuts from the record on his first radio show on The Tide and they were AMAZING. Will this be a new PEAK for Bruce in the studio? I don’t know yet, but I can’t wait to find out.
David Day wrote:He’s back!I’ve been putting off so many thoughts for the past several months that it’s finally time to put them down in writing for discussion. I want to try to pull together many questions that you have brought up as well as many questions that I have brought up and pull them together into one forum. Therefore, More Thoughts From A Road Scholar!
Just a favour, David – since they’re separate topics, could you post them separately rather than under one banner? Thanks!
It seems to me that after Night On The Town came out in 1990, there was a period that Bruce went into a valley. With back to back successes of The Way It Is and Scenes From the Southside, which both had great record sales, a valley was probably needed for Bruce to be able to go to the next peak.
Can you believe The Way It Is was released in 1986? My how time flys when you’re having fun! 😆
If you have Night On The Town, there’s a great pic of Bruce & The Range on a stage playing in tuxedos. There is a lyric in a song on Night On The Town that describes that scene. What song is ?
:When Harbor Lights was released in 1993, as DavidR wrote,
” I don’t know that we’ll see another great developmental leap, like Harbor Lights or Spirit Trail.” Not only was Harbor Lights a great developemental leap for Bruce, it did help him go to his next peak.We hear a new side of Bruce in Harbor Lights! One that is sort of jazzy?
:What do you guys think? Was Harbor Lights a new peak for Bruce? Do you hear some jazz in some of the songs?
:David Day
Lake Lanier, GAI’ve always looked at the Harbor Lights album different from all his other albums. It’s a very chill feel to it and very like late nightish….It’s a great album, but it never displayed Bruce’s energy and talent to me…The rest of the albums are better in my opinion….
Kyle 🙄
Living in Alabama all my life(which is not the cultural mecca of music), it’s hard for the average person to know when an artist has peaked. I know that most people on this board are not your average fan, but in the big scheme of things, that is how that question has to be answered. The average fan knows The Way It Is, Mandolin Rain, etc, and bought the Greatest Radio Hits cd and were happy with Bruce’s carear, most not knowing that their was much better music to be heard after that release. Then Halcyon Days came along and brought a new group of fans to the Bruce family with the number one “Gonna Be Some Changes Made”. Now that the R&B album will be “previwed” on CMT that should open another chapter to new and old Bruce fans alike. I guess what I am saying is that “peaking” for an artist such as Bruce, (one that dosen’t really get the exposure that is needed) comes at different times. People’s tastes change and Bruce’s music changes bringing different fans aboard. I personally can not get enough of Hot House Ball. That in my opinion is his best work. Do I feel that he peaked at that time? Not really. I haven’t heard the R&B album yet.
I hope this made since. I know what I wanted to say but not sure if it came out in a sensible way.
My answer to this question is, “Definitely not!” Maybe I’m being too literal, but I don’t think Bruce is anywhere near his peak. When I hear the word peak, I think of someone who is climbing a mountain, reaching the summit and is now on the way down the mountain. As Bruce himself has said, he’s “a lifelong music student.” Who knows which path he’ll explore next or what he’ll accomplish on that journey? An example from his musical exploration so far: Did anyone expect anything like Big Swing Face before it was released?
On the subject of Halcyon Days-it’s a great album! Yes, several of the songs are contemplative, but remember the motivation behind a lot of them, parenthood and the responsibilities that go along with it. As for live versions of songs from this record, I really enjoy hearing “Candy Mountain Run” and “Gonna Be Some Changes Made” live.
I agree that Harbor Lights was a significant step in Bruce’s musical trek. The title song, “Talk Of The Town,” “Long Tall Cool One,” as well as several other songs have a great jazz feel.
I don’t think Bruce has peaked; I do think he has had various highlights or as DavidR said,” Developmental leaps” in his career.
Jackie
After seeing the solos show in Albany I would say definitely not. I think a better question would be are there other musicians that can keep up?
I have seen two solo shows and 1 band show in my life, and I feel that Bruce has to limit is instincts in order to accommodate the band, and this is not a knock on the the band.
David Day wrote:If you have Night On The Town, there’s a great pic of Bruce & The Range on a stage playing in tuxedos. There is a lyric in a song on Night On The Town that describes that scene. What song is ?:
Not only was Harbor Lights a great developemental leap for Bruce, it did help him go to his next peak. We hear a new side of Bruce in Harbor Lights! One that is sort of jazzy?
:(I want to keep those two questions active)
What’s interesting about Harbor Lights is as Bruce says, “It’s my first record without a producer, the first record without a band, and the first album recorded in my house. It’s basically a piano trio record, or piano, bass, and drums augmented by the various guest who add their great personalities and extra color to the sound.”
The trio consisted of Bruce, Molo, and Jimmy Haslip on bass. Jimmy Haslop is the bass player for the YellowJackets. A great jazz bass player! Pat Metheny plays guitar on several songs. A great jazz guitarist! (If you ever get a chance to see Pat Metheny in concert, he is great!) Branford Marsalis plays sax on several of the songs. Another great jazz musician!
Harbor Lights was recorded in 1992 and released in 1993.
Get the picture! All these great jazz musicians on Harbor Lights! Possibly something to look forward to in the future?
:Do you realize that Bruce majored in jazz?
:David Day
Lake Lanier, GAtrent wrote:
I remember the first time I heard Dreamland when he sang “isn’t this so nice, so nice”The actual lyric is: “Isn’t this old night so nice”
Doesn’t seem written for record execs to me, although the song is certainly
radio friendly.David,
I’d say the lyric reference for the “Night on the Town” photo would come from “Stander on the Mountain” – “The reunion band playing too loud”No, I’d say Bruce is still climbing.
Here’s why:
He’s releasing two new projects this year. One is bluegrass and the other is jazz. He’s also working on a Broadway play. His live gigs (both solo and with his band) have inspired playing, spontaneity and he still has that spark in his eye!RE: Peaking
I think this subject needs to be split into two categories — (1) Bruce’s peaks in his career, and (2) his peaks as a musician. Of course, Bruce’s journey in both areas will have peaks and valleys; as others have said, these things are cyclical. Bruce’s career was most successful with his first two records; that seems indisputable. However, he’s been able to maintain a consistent quality of work and a fan base that have allowed him to do what he does for 20 years now, which so few people have ever done.
I think any discussion of Bruce’s career peaks and valleys has to include Big Swing Face. I often wonder if Halcyon Days had come first, and then BSF, would more people have been able to handle a gradual shift in style? From what I understand, Bruce was pretty much forced into the abrupt style shift. That may have hurt him career-wise, since so many fans jumped ship at that time — but it forced him to stretch musically, which is paying off in his more recent work.
To go back to bluegrass and jazz now seems to be a return to Bruce’s elemental basics, musical forms he has merged together so successfully in the past. I think Bruce has been peaking musically since the mid-to-late 90s, during that period he said he recommitted himself to the study of the piano. That work, as he told Marianne McPartland, gave him a new sense of self-confidence to do the type of amazing solo shows we’ve seen so much of lately. It’s inspiring to me that the person who was already at the top of his field decided to step it up another notch, but that’s just what Bruce did.
As DavidR said, I admire Bruce’s Randy-Newmanesque turns in Halcyon Days — I’ve always been a Newman fan — but those songs stand out thematically from the rest of the album and might have been better suited to an entire Broadway/Ragtime album, together with the Trump song, In the Low Country, even The Dreaded Spoon and any other comic-style songs he’s come up with.
I’m looking forward to seeing where Bruce goes after the bluegrass, jazz, and Broadway work. After intensively exploring these elements that make up his overall musical vocabulary, I could see him delivering an album that’s another huge leap forward yet retains his unique, instantly recognizable style.
The Way it is – great break through album but to me not a peak (obviously)
Scenes from the southside – still climbing not a pinnacle musically speaking
Night on the town – almost there but so damn close stander and across the river throw this close to the top
Harbor Lights AND Hot House Ball – DING DING…grabbed the brass ring these 2 albums are flawless to me and the band he had was so sweet for these tours
Spirit Trails – I will keep him on the peak here but I some slippage on the horizon
Big Swing Face – it needed to be done, to go in a completely different direction and although I applaud bruce for the effort , it is not a pinnacle
Halcyon Days – he brought it back but not the peak I felt with harbor and hot house
waiting anxiously for whats next
careyon wrote:David,
I’d say the lyric reference for the “Night on the Town” photo would come from “Stander on the Mountain” – “The reunion band playing too loud”Ding, Ding, Ding! We have a correct answer!
The obvious answer would be “Night on the Town”, but that’s what makes it a hard question. It was a “deep cut” question. I knew it would take a true Road Scholar to be able to answer that one!
David Day
Lake Lanier, GARe: RE: Peaking
Victor wrote:I think this subject needs to be split into two categories — (1) Bruce’s peaks in his career, and (2) his peaks as a musician. Of course, Bruce’s journey in both areas will have peaks and valleys; as others have said, these things are cyclical. Bruce’s career was most successful with his first two records; that seems indisputable. However, he’s been able to maintain a consistent quality of work and a fan base that have allowed him to do what he does for 20 years now, which so few people have ever done.Victor brings up a good point! What I meant by “peak” was “the peak” not “a peak”.
It does seem to me that his live shows have gotten much better both Noisemakers and solo. With years of experience, Bruce knows how to put on a great show! The Noisemakers are very talented. I think the best of his “road bands”. I love to watch the Noisemakers as they “watch Bruce”! It does seem obvious to me that “Bruce likes to entertain the band” (Doug Derryberry said that) His solo shows have come a long way since the old days and he may be peaking as a “solo musician”. I don’t know how he could be any better as a solo musician. Which brings up an idea for another subject! ❗ 💡
It’s obvious he was on a peak with Harbor Lights! It allowed the creative juices to start flowing that flowed over into Hot House Ball and Spirit Trail. It allowed him to experiment with not only two hand independence, but with some jazz which was his major in college.
Hot House Ball brought Bruce to another peak, but what I find interesting is that there was probably no valley between Harbor Lights and Hot House Ball. Harbor Lights was a stepping stone that took Bruce to a peak and Hot House Ball was a “step up” to another peak.
What do you think? Was Hot House Ball a step up to another peak or was it a valley after Harbor Lights?
David Day
Lake Lanier, GARe: RE: Peaking
David Day wrote:Victor brings up a good point! What I meant by “peak” was “the peak” not “a peak”.It does seem to me that his live shows have gotten much better both Noisemakers and solo. With years of experience, Bruce knows how to put on a great show! The Noisemakers are very talented. I think the best of his “road bands”. I love to watch the Noisemakers as they “watch Bruce”! It does seem obvious to me that “Bruce likes to entertain the band” (Doug Derryberry said that) His solo shows have come a long way since the old days and he may be peaking as a “solo musician”. I don’t know how he could be any better as a solo musician. Which brings up an idea for another subject! ❗ 💡
It’s obvious he was on a peak with Harbor Lights! It allowed the creative juices to start flowing that flowed over into Hot House Ball and Spirit Trail. It allowed him to experiment with not only two hand independence, but with some jazz which was his major in college.
Hot House Ball brought Bruce to another peak, but what I find interesting is that there was probably no valley between Harbor Lights and Hot House Ball. Harbor Lights was a stepping stone that took Bruce to a peak and Hot House Ball was a “step up” to another peak.
What do you think? Was Hot House Ball a step up to another peak or was it a valley after Harbor Lights?
David Day
Lake Lanier, GAas with many great musicians, there are multiple peaks and valleys
It wasn’t a valley between HL and HHB…it was a plateau between them
and it really depends on the mood i am in. right now I think I would give hot house the edge but see me in a week/month/year and I might say harbor …they are both equally that greatPianoManKD wrote:I’ve always looked at the Harbor Lights album different from all his other albums. It’s a very chill feel to it and very like late nightish….It’s a great album, but it never displayed Bruce’s energy and talent to me…The rest of the albums are better in my opinion….Kyle 🙄
Kyle, need your input on Two Hand Independence thread!
David Day
Lake Lanier, GAHot House Ball was released just two years after Harbour Lights. This was definitely another peak for Bruce!
What I really like about HHB is that it has a jazz feel, but with a pop twist. Sorta like Steely Dan?
: What do you think? : I’ve read that Bruce says he was influenced by Steely Dan. Thus the connection between Bruce and Steely Dan from my question on another thread.What I also like about HHB is that we see the makings of the Noisemakers! JV, JT, Bobby, and John D’earth on trumpet.
Whatever happened to John D’earth?
: I really liked him as part of the Noisemakers!HHB is one of my favorite records! Besides “Spider Fingers”, is there any other two hand independece on the record?
:David Day
Lake Lanier, GAyou keep throwin the steely dan reference out there until someone bites… 😉
and the 2 years between HHB and HL were a defining moment in his touring carrerEDIT: he turned it up a notch actually after the release of HHB
as for the big dawg John D’erth, I dug the modereko stuff he did with molo and bobby reed many moons ago. looks like he has got another band goin now http://thompsondearth.com/home
and what about some love for molo!?! he is playing with John Fogerty now and Phil Lesh
David Day wrote:Hot House Ball was released just two years after Harbour Lights. This was definitely another peak for Bruce!What I really like about HHB is that it has a jazz feel, but with a pop twist. Sorta like Steely Dan?
: What do you think? : I’ve read that Bruce says he was influenced by Steely Dan. Thus the connection between Bruce and Steely Dan from my question on another thread.What I also like about HHB is that we see the makings of the Noisemakers! JV, JT, Bobby, and John D’earth on trumpet.
Whatever happened to John D’earth?
: I really liked him as part of the Noisemakers!HHB is one of my favorite records! Besides “Spider Fingers”, is there any other two hand independece on the record?
:David Day
Lake Lanier, GAPeaking?
Like a fine wine – “some things just get better with age”
For the last 20 odd years, Bruce has been busy writing the soundtrack to my life. There are many, many of his songs that reflect events, attitudes and emotions in my life, and I’m sure that is true for most of you out there reading this also. That’s one of the reasons we’re all here. If he was a great pianist, but not a very nice human being, we might still admire his virtuosity, but not actively seek it out.
The man isn’t driven by “Success”, thank God, but by a desire to develop as a musician, and to share the thoughts and feelings he has as a human being, husband and father, son and brother with the rest of us in his songs. Because he opens up to us, we respond. Because we respond, he’s not afraid to try new directions.
Peaking? Not a relevant question here. I for one am happy to listen to whatever he’s willing to play for me. There are no tunes that I never play – some just take a little more time to reveal their true quality.
Re: Peaking?
rabjohns wrote:Peaking? Not a relevant question here. I for one am happy to listen to whatever he’s willing to play for me. There are no tunes that I never play – some just take a little more time to reveal their true quality.I feel the same way!
Bruce did seem to turn it up a notch after “Hot House Ball” going into “Spirit Trail”. It’s obvious there has been many peaks so far. I wonder if “Spirit Trail” has been the highest peak so far?
:What do you think?
David Day
Lake Lanier, GA
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