Concert attendees eager for a Bruce Hornsby Greatest Hits show were probably disappointed amidst his performance at the Flynn Theater. After playing a majority of his songs countless times over the years, Hornsby reworked his most recognizable radio hits as delicate compositions – complete with vocal improvisation and new melodies – allowing his band to play outside the lines, with a renowned song book that stretches his entire career.
Touring in support of his latest release, Halycon Days, Hornsby infiltrated old classics with many new numbers just reaching the live spotlight. “What The Hell Happened To Me,” utilized self-poking lyrics alongside a jolly vaudeville piano line to summon a playful spirit. And the more optimistic songs, “Gonna Be Some Changes Made,” “Mirror On The Wall” and “Circus On The Moon,” had the prolific pianist working to build legacies for his newer material by adding a bit of gusto.
Due to a brief stint with the Grateful Dead following a mid 80’s Grammy award, Hornsby has developed a diverse and well schooled fanbase. Dressed in blue jeans and an untucked button down, he symbolized his kinship with loose rock and jazz and numerous random side remarks. Occasionally talking in between songs and managing to praise the relatively historic venue, he clearly knew how to turn on the charm. During a version of “Rainbow’s Cadillac,” he even staged a “tradition” of inviting females in the audience to dance on stage, making the accordion playing front-man truly feel like “the man.”
With Hornsby’s white soul voice, precious notes were hit, most noticeably during a cover of Ray Charles’ “That Lucky Old Sun,” in honor of the new movie Ray. Featuring JT Thomas on organ, Hornsby’s ivory counterpart nailed a number of organ spots, often showing up his lanky boss. Even his nephew, R.S. lent lead guitar duties to the Flynn show, dropping some improv solos amongst the chosen selections.
Working from a list of requests on top of his baby grand, he carefully chose which song to dive into next, and managed to pick some rather serious selections. A segue filled “Great Divide > Sir Duke > Backhand > Great Divide” combo enlivened the night with hinges of both Stevie Wonder and Keith Jarrett. As often heard, during the memorable “Fortunate Son,” Hornsby slid into “Comfortably Numb” done in the same key. To appease the Deadheads hoping for an early 90’s flashback, “Sunflower Cat” arrived to close the second set, complete with its groovy opening piano chords.
Hornsby still appears to be having fun on stage, reinventing old classics and continually adding to his repertoire of songs with new material. Although his act never changes dramatically, Hornsby, like the late Charles, sets a classy standard in versatility and showmanship that is often sorely missed in today’s musical climate.
Setlist
Set One: Mirror on the Wall, Big Rumble > Mandolin Rain > Big Rumble, That Lucky Old Sun, What the Hell Happened, Rainbow’s Cadillac > Hail to the Chief, Sneakin Up on Boo Radley, The Way It Is > Sir Duke > The Way It Is
Set Two: Great Divide > Sir Duke > Backhand > Great Divide, Cast Your Fate to the Wind (Charlie Brown), Country Doctor, Gonna Be Some Changes Made,Circus on the Moon, Fortunate Son > Comfortably Numb > Fortunate Son, Sunflower Cat
Encore:End of the Innocence, Valley Road
