Hornsby still hornsby?
greek_philosophizer
of his .... )
http://www.dailytexanonline.com/news/2005/02/15/Entertainment/A.Distinct.Voice-864160.shtml
Bruce Hornsby seems disappointed by the major summation of his past:
"Most people typecast me as a guy who had big hits in the '80s," he
admitted.
Hornsby's not disappointed by the company he keeps from that decade (not
hot-pant wearing hair bands like the Thompson Twins or Twisted Sister,
but artists such as Paul Simon, Tom Petty, Sting and Jon Mellencamp),
but to the pianist, it just seems a damned shame to concentrate on his
time as a Top Forty hitmaker and ignore his prolific songwriting career.
Not that he's dwelling on the issue. Hornsby, 50, put out four albums in
the '90s and three more since the millennium, the most recent of which -
last August's "Halcyon Days" - was nominated for Best Pop Instrumental
at this year's Grammys; he was chosen as the Best New Artist in 1986.
But, as Hornsby pointed out, "My interests are not tied to the radio,
and, frankly, they never were."
Describing Bruce Horsnby's style is tricky - it's easier, in fact, to
describe other musicians as sounding like him. Hornsby prefers to write
with a jazz harmonic language as opposed to more traditional pop
progressions, but that doesn't prevent his music from being accessible
or catchy, and despite its mellower forms, there's an element of earnest
Americana roots-rock embedded in the sound.
"Halcyon Days" is Hornsby's ninth album and represents the artist's
gradual shift to a lighter tone in his songwriting.
"As I get old I write more funny stuff," Hornsby said. He laughed, then
added, "I guess my days writing about social commentary are over." Part
of this transformation has been inspired by Hornsby's family life and
growing children. "Dreamland," a track off "Halcyon Days" featuring
Elton John, "is a song for one of my sons who was struggling with his
self-esteem and having a tough time in his life as a little kid,"
Hornsby explained.
Hornsby's distinct songwriting and sweet, swift pianowork have long been
sought after by musicians and producers alike. He's arranged tunes for
Chaka Khan and Shawn Colvin, amongst others.
"I get a lot of requests to write songs, but I only work with someone
who really moves me," Hornsby admitted.
He also played keyboard for the Grateful Dead in the early-'90s and has
collaborated on stage and in the studio with such stars as Bob Dylan,
Roger Waters, Bela Fleck and Stevie Nicks.
Performing live has always been big for Hornsby, who likes to play
around with songs on stage.
"We're very loose up there," he said. "We haven't had a set list in 15
years and don't play songs like they're on the record." A set is just as
likely to wade into a Rachmaninoff piece or Stevie Wonder as it is to
segue into a Grateful Dead classic.
Most artists reflect aging in their music through haunting lyrics and
somber, hushed tones. It's refreshing to find someone such as Hornsby
who still embraces life and music passionately and translates that into
every performance. Recently signed to Columbia Records ("Halcyon Days"
was his first album on the label), Hornsby hopes to record albums of his
interpretations of jazz standards, his forays into classical and a
bluegrass album with Ricky Skaggs, - they're due in the studio this April.
Hornsby plays this Saturday at the Paramount Theatre, the last of the
venue's Austin Winter Nights series. His engaging songwriting and
exciting live shows should be more than enough reason to check out the
masterful Hornsby this weekend.
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imsjry
Thanks for this. I'm really glad to hear he wants to do a jazz disc!!
That should be sweet..
