Camp Meeting

Jazz has always been a root part of the Bruce Hornsby 'pop' musical experience. In a Marian McPartland interview/duet (great album) he talks about his owing so much to Bill Evans. When he dispanded the Range (his original band) he quickly moved to the left, jazzing up his style with Pat Metheny and Jimmy Haslip (from the Yellowjackets) joining him on two great albums Harbor Lights and Hot House. The collection, Intersections 1985-2005, also includes several brilliant live jazz pieces. This album includes two of the best in contemporary jazz society, Christian McBride and Jack Dejohnette. I real gem especially for such a well rounded and interesting musician. This album really shows where some of his creative magic originates!

Really good stuff, from an unlikely sourse. Listining to some of his older or even recent things, i couldnt stand it, but this stuff is amizing. sounds almost like the bad plus, mostlu staight, no chaser and solar, maybe camp meeting. really cool

I picked up this album this week on a whim, mostly for Jack DeJohnette on drums. I was familiar w/Hornsby and enjoyed his work as a member of the Dead, but this album....man! Let's just say I had no idea this man was this talented. He truly is on display w/the fine accompaniment of McBride and DeJohnette---seriously, I would love to drop 6 stars on this album---definitely BUY NOW!

This one isnt for Bruce Hornsby's pop devotees, but even they would recognize the signature Hornsby refrain running through almost all the tracks in this album. He is one of the rare musicians (Bela Fleck, Pat Metheney are amongst them) that keeps on experimenting, exploring and extending his boundaries - his music is all the better for it.

Bruce Hornsby is one of the most versatile musicians out there which is evident if you've listened to all of his albums and been to his live shows. HIs records have spanned numerous musical genres over the years and have displayed high levels of competency in all of them. In one live show, he segued into a Bach fugue in the middle of one of his solos and proceeded to juxtapose that on top of the song...it was ridiculous. But this new album just displays a new style and direction for Bruce which has always been his biggest appeal for me...diversity.

A lightweight? Please! Have you not been to any of his concerts? Ever heard him play a solo show? He plays like this all the time - along with bluegrass, rock, country, funk, etc. He does it all and is simply the best. Stacked Mary Possum has threads of a fiddle tune that he play regularly.

He is not nor ever was a lightweight. It's hard for us jazz lovers to accept a white guy who can write, sing & play rag-time, rock, country, folk, blues, bluegrass, pop, and brought the "Dead" to new levels, as a serious jazz artist. But as you said, he is. I hate to use the word genius, but the guy is one hell of a musician.

I never thought that Bruce could play Piano like this. Take him away from the Pop and let him Groove! WOW, keep up with the same musical direction, it becomes you.

Credibility. Well, his initial pop success was under the weight of some fairly light weight music. I was skeptical of his depth. Since that time, Bruce has been slowly building credibility that he is more than a one hit wonder. His past role with the Grateful Dead and having guests on his solo releases such as Pat Metheny, gives evidence that there is real substance beyond some of the Muzak that he has been associated with. That brings us to Camp Meeting. First, employing the services of McBride and DeJohnnette is the first sign that this project should be worthy. Upon listening to the project, I found Bruce aggressively taking ownership of some rather impressive choice of tunes and other than taking a smooth jazz walk through, he and his remarkable and renowned compatriots, breath a fresh and rather bold approach. I highly recommend adding this release to your collection. However, if the extent of your jazz recordings in your collection is Kenny G (which is not Jazz in my book but that is another issue), I would suggest that you prepare for something abit more adventerous (and a whole lot more interesting). Way to go Bruce.

If anybody doubts this album is legit, just listen to "Hot House" and then come talk to me. Hornsby is confident enough to explore, and skilled enough to make it happen from bluegrass with Ricky Skaggs to Americana with "Spirit Trail" to jazz with "Camp Meeting" to Mellencamp/Springsteen blue-collar rock with "The Way It Is" and "Scenes from the Southside". If you've ever appreciated Hornsby's lyrical wit and musical prowess, you owe it to yourself to check out "Camp Meeting". This guy is the real thing, and he pays homage to his influences on this record.