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Making Some Noise at the BergenPAC A SoundPress.net Feature Article by Rich and Laura Lynch Bruce Hornsby is best known for his group Bruce Hornsby and the Range and his work with the Grateful Dead from 1988 through 1995. Yet, Bruce is also a well respected session player and solo artist. In addition to piano, Hornsby is apt on accordion, vox and song writing.
 Bruce Hornsby and the Range were a stand out band in the 80's because of Hornsby's unique approach to the piano. Bruce's use of syncopation and synthesizers added flair and flavor to solos that were enhanced by the double-time beats that were part of the Range's signature style. Bruce Hornsby is also a 13-time Grammy nominee and three-time Grammy winner. On September 15, 2009 Bruce will release Levitate -- a studio album co-credited to and featuring his long standing touring band -- The Noisemakers. Levitate contains 13 new songs, including "Cyclone," with lyrics from Grateful Dead songwriter Robert Hunter. The title cut, "Levitate", is an alternate version of a song from the recent Spike Lee film Kobe Doin' Work (for which Hornsby also provided the original score). "Space is the Place" has an Eric Clapton guitar solo. Bruce's music is a blend of classical, blues, bluegrass, jam, jazz, Motown and rock. Hornsby shuns set lists as the flow of his live shows are determined by the audience who submit requests in advance of the concerts. Bruce Hornsby performed at the BergenPAC on July 30, 2009. The BergenPAC is a classic intimate theater located in the heart of Englewood, New Jersey, which has a thriving downtown with a variety of cafes and shops. Bruce promptly took the stage at eight - and, breaking from tradition - performed two new tracks from Levitate featuring him solo on the piano playing stark songs with startling storytelling. For the third song, The Noisemakers took the stage and for almost three hours including a short break Bruce Hornsby and The Noisemakers explored a range of musical styles. The band are seasoned players and aptly handled the varied printed, e-mailed and hand-written requests that Bruce sifted through to determine the night's set list. Bruce presented one other new song entitled "Prairie Dog Town", which had a folksy front porch feel but well played by professional musicians. The song featured Bruce on dulcimer. A number of requests were for songs from Bruce's days with the Grateful Dead. Hornsby reminisced how The Dead would often forget songs -- or at least his songs. "Twenty years ago we played a shuffle version of this next song with the Grateful Dead," Hornsby remarked about his own song "Valley Road" which traveled exploratory and expansive instrumental paths. Also played was the song "Standing On The Moon" from the psychedelic pioneer's last studio album. As Bruce picked up the accordion he mentioned the next song was the B-side of his biggest hit which would be followed by this breakthrough. The band proceeded to play the sporadically spunky "Wild Frontiers" from the 45 which segued into the hit - "The Way It Is" - which was expanded with extra instrumentation including a playful exchange between Bruce and drummer Sonny Emory before the rest of the band joined in the jam. The instrumentals of the evening were interesting and innovative exploring different musical styles and songs. At one point the band was playing a haunting harrowing piece that magically moved into Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb". The song circled back to the plaintive lyrics that called to angels and no one comes. There was some banter between Bruce and the fans during the show. Someone shouted out "play something funny" and Hornsby responded with "The Don of Dons" a witty ditty about Donald Trump. Other high moments of the night included "The Road Not Taken", The Paper Boy: and "Standing Alone". The energized encore was "Cruise Control". Bruce Hornsby and The Noisemakers made plenty of nifty and nimble noise for the attentive and appreciate audience at New Jersey's BergenPAC - at times levitating many off of their seats.
The Band Related Links: For more information on BRUCE HORNSBY and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -- BruceHornsby.com | BergenPAC.org | Buy Levitate
 (Originally Published on August 01, 2009) |
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