REVIEW: Bruce Hornsby, Spirit Trail (RCA)
- Bob Gajarsky
Grammy award-winner Bruce Hornsby has parlayed his piano playing skills into multi-platinum records and the opportunity to tour with his longtime idols, the Grateful Dead, from 1990-1992. The effects of this tour can still be heard on the twenty-song, double-disc Spirit Trail .
Though firmly rooted in Hornsby's nimble fingers, Spirit Trail tips its hand to the Southern sounds of New Orleans and jazz, gospel, folk and the blues. "Line In The Dust" fits right alongside Hornsby classics such as "Mandolin Rain" and "The Way It Is", but with more of the freelancing that has graced Bruce's recent efforts since that tour with the Dead. And, yes, he tips his hat to Jerry and the boys on the funk-meets-piano of "Sunflower Cat", which samples the Dead's "China Cat Sun Flower".
Hornsby's illustrious career has seen performing and writing partnerships with artists ranging from Bob Dylan and Don Henley to Bela Fleck, and each time he works with a new artist, it seems as if Hornsby incorporates some of that style into his next album. This challenges his audience to pay attention to his songs and their intricate musicianship, and rewards them for their effort. Spirit Trail proudly continues that tradition.
And that guy on the cover of the disc, ready to light a cigarette in his ear? That's Bruce's deceased Uncle Charlie. Who says it's not who you know?
