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Bruce Hornsby | 07.29.02 | Wolf Trap | Vienna, VA
There are numerous attributes that go into being a good entertainer. Ability, imagination, and stamina are to name a few, however showmanship may be the most cherished characteristic to a musician and a fan. The ability to entertain a crowd, identify, and truly enjoy the company in which you perform for is rare. In a time were disposable music is omnipresent and showmanship is oft overlooked, it’s good to know we still got Bruce.
Returning to his native Virginia, Bruce Hornsby picked Wolf Trap to be the backdrop for this stop on his extremely extensive tour promoting his new album Big Swing Face. The Wolf Trap is a true performing arts venue equipped with balcony, pavilion, and lawn seating that invites patrons to BYOB, and enjoy the panorama. Bruce got the motor running with some “Cruise Control,” as the crowd braved the 98-degree elements to enjoy the fine intro. “Sneaking Up On Boo Radley” off the 1998 release Spirit Trail followed as we started to see what makes Bruce’s shows go so well. His interaction with crowd is remarkable, due in part to his supporting cast of musicians including his nephew R.S. Hornsby (Guitar), T. Thomas (organ), Bobby Read (sax), J.V. Collier (bass), Doug Derryberry (guitar) and Bonny Bonaparte (drums).
“The End of the Innocence” was dished out, a Grammy award winning composition co-written with Don Henley, a definite crowd pleaser. As the set came to a close, Bruce entertained thoughts of playing the random requests from the crowd and was feeding off the enthusiasm like a flower from the sun. Bruce returned to the stage solo and showed his chops on the piano. He can really get into the keys and use his entire body to express intonation and passion with a bent knee approach and a fervor that is seldom scene.
Bruce transitioned into the Bluegrass genre with “Jacob’s Ladder,” starting on the keys, making his way to the accordion and then back to the keys. Keeping the grassy undertones, Bruce added a little Bellefonte feel with “Try Anything Once” off the new album. Bruce reached the pinnacle of showmanship as his open invitation to the womanly portion of the crowd was greeted by at least 80 ladies joining him on stage and proceeding to dance their way through “Sunflower Cat” and back into “Try Anything Once.”
The double encore included “White-Wheeled Limousine,” a “standard” for the band and the capsule for an extensive jam and the forefront showing the many influences that Bruce’s brings with him. The jam concluded and Bruce gracefully left the stage as true showmanship reigned supreme at the “Trapping of Wolves” venue this time, as it seems a constant in the Hornsby neighborhood. Well Lois, you done good.
Scott Rosner
JamBase Virginia Correspondent
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