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Bruce Hornsby: Camp Meeting
ByWith a set of eleven selections covering fresh material as well as covers by Ornette Coleman, Miles Davis, Keith Jarrett and others, Hornsby admittedly needed to go and hone his jazz axe skills. But with the help of a trio of jazz heavies including drummer Jack DeJohnette and bassist Christian McBride, they come out of the woodshed literally swinging and with plenty of gusto. When you listen to the incendiary version of Coltrane's "Giant Steps," there's no doubt Hornsby's done his homework and then some.
Hornsby's piano skills are profound: swinging hard, ruminating softly on a tender ballad, or wailing the blues. Quick and quirky improvisations, smooth changes in tempo and a sensitive touch, are all present in the repertoire and most importantly, his sound. McBride's bass is resonant, cracking and emotive; his soloing, as heard on "Celia" is excellent. DeJohnette is still a monster drummer of impeccable timing and force, his rhythms massaging and driving the music. The trio's essence is pure on Ornette Coleman's "Questions and Answers" as walking bass line, free piano soloing and a variety of tricks from DeJohnette jump starts the recording.
Drawing from a deep well of Hornsby's many influences, there's a little something for everyone. Folk and swing on "Camp Meeting," a thick Irish Riverdancelike savor on "Stacked Marcy Possum," risky Latin on "Un Poco Loco," by pianist Bud Powell, or the obscure '70s Keith Jarrett piece, "Death and the Flower." All seem to flow naturally out of Hornsby's waters.
The jazz folk will critique it, and others may or may not get it; but those who know good music will appreciate and hope Hornsby revisits the Camp Meeting again, very soon.
Track Listing
Questions and Answers; Charlie, Woody 'n' You; Solar; Death and the Flower; Camp Meeting; Giant Steps; Celia; We'll Be Together Again; Stacked Marcy Possum; Straight, No Chaser; Un Poco Loco.
Personnel
Bruce Hornsby
piano and vocalsBruce Hornsby: piano; DeJohnette: drums; Christian McBride: bass.
Album information
Title: Camp Meeting | Year Released: 2007 | Record Label: Legacy Recordings
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About Bruce Hornsby
Instrument: Piano and vocals
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