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Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers: Levitate
ByLevitate is Hornsby's eleventh release and projects the essence of what he calls the "joyful noise," his first recording with his longtime touring band, The Noisemakers. This debut on Verve, features 13 new songs, illuminating many of his diverse interests.
An outstanding pianist who can play comfortably in many genres, this release marks a "creative departure" for Hornsby with the music focused more on song and composition. This is reflected in "The Black Rats of London," a foot stomping tale with an American History lesson and "Prairie Dog Town," a delightful tune where the Noisemakers flex its muscle as Hornsby plays dulcimer. Both tracks are interlaced with humor, riveting music and thought-provoking lyrics.
Tracks such as "Cyclone," written by Robert Hunter of the Grateful Dead (with whom Hornsby was a part-time member from September 1990 to March 1992) are reminiscent of the pianist's earlier works. But the urban street vibe of the title song- -an alternate version taken from Hornsby's score of Spike Lee's film Kobe Doin' Work (a 2009 documentary on basketball star Kobe Bryant)prove Hornsby's flexibility in keeping the music diverse.
Several of the tracks are taken from the score of Hornsby's first musical, SCKBSTD, where songs like "Michael Raphael" and "Paperboy" introduce eccentric stories and chromatic structures. Juxtaposed against these are rockers such as "Simple Prayer" and "Space Is The Place" (with hip-hop rap from Hornsby's twin sons, Russell and Keith, and a blistering solo from guitar great, Eric Clapton).
The recording ends with "In The Low Country" in what Hornby calls a "Southern slice of life," depicting the joys of NASCAR, WWE, good times and good people. Levitate might be considered a mixed bag but it does represents a diverse recording from this enduring songwriter, performer and composer.
Track Listing
The Black Rats Of London; Prairie Dog Town; Cyclone; Continents Drift; Paperboy; Invisible; Levitate; Here We Are Again; Space Is The Place; Michael Raphael; Simple Prayer; In The Low Country.
Personnel
Bruce Hornsby
piano and vocalsThe Noisemakers: Bruce Hornsby: dulcimer, piano, keyboards, vocals; J.V. Collier: bass; Sonny Emory: drums; John "J.T" Thomas: organ, keyboards; Bobby Reed: reeds; Doug Derryberry: guitar; Guests: R.S. Hornsby: guitar (4); Eric Clapton: guitar (9); Eric D. Jackson: vocals; Keefus "Buddy" Ciancia: new sounds (7); Andy Leftwich: fiddle (1); Z Berg: vocals (6); Tim Smith: vocals (2); Eric Jackson: vocals (2); Blake Mills: guitar; (1, 3, 9, 10, 12); Russell Hornsby: vocals (9); Keith Hornsby: vocals (9).
Album information
Title: Levitate | Year Released: 2009 | Record Label: Verve Music Group
Comments
About Bruce Hornsby
Instrument: Piano and vocals
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