Bruce Hornsby had no idea how to take a 15 year recording career and place it into one album. However, what he did know was that he wanted to tackle a live album featuring his old hits and newly recorded tunes -- and he did, producing Here Come the Noisemakers.
On sale in stores on Oct. 24, the album is a milestone for the veteran artist and is by far his best record yet. The two CD album was recorded at various concerts between late 1998 and 1999, including the Woodstock festival, episodes of PBS's "Austin City Limits" and BET's "Jazz Central."
Spanning Hornsby's entire career, listeners are bound to find familiar acoustics and rhythm but the album's new recordings outshine many of his first string of hits.
Fans of Hornsby will find the 18 songs on the album to be a mirror image of the singer, pianist, songwriter, producer and bandleader we've grown to love over the years.
However, for those not familiar with Hornsby's work, he is best known for his triple-platinum debut album from the mid-80s, The Way It Is. Other hits include "Mandolin Rain," "Every Little Kiss" and "The Valley Road."
He's a classic musician with an enormous list of guest appearances-including co-writing and performing on Don Henley's Grammy winning smash "The End of the Innocence," a stint with the Grateful Dead and sessions for Bonnie Raitt and Bob Seger.
His new live album is primarily jazz at heart but is painted with long piano solos and soulful vocal presentation. Hornsby is not just a songwriter-lyrics on his album tell a story-a story everyone can relate with. His songs bring the tales of life to new heights and for young and old alike, Here Come the Noisemakers is an excellent choice for music fans in search of eclectic and captivating music with a mix of storytelling.
Grade: B+
