Hornsby, Bruce: Spirit Trail (CD 1 of 2) CD Track Listing

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Hornsby, Bruce Spirit Trail (CD 1 of 2) (1998)
Spirit Trail - Disc 1 of 2\n1998 RCA Records, Inc.\n\nOriginally Released October 13, 1998\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: Spirit Trail is a portrait of unchecked self-indulgence; its tracks, with their overly busy arrangements, go on too long, not to mention the extended instrumental piano interludes that suddenly pop up here and there and, for example, the two versions of "Preacher in the Ring," with different music and lyrics, neither of them very interesting. Musically and lyrically, Bruce Hornsby is badly in need of an editor. The music should be cut, and the lyrics to these story songs should be streamlined -- often they do not sit well on the music--- and clarified -- it's usually difficult to tell exactly what he's singing about. But none of this is to criticize Hornsby as a player. He may feel compelled to display his picture ID from his days at the Berklee College of Music in the CD booklet, but nobody has ever questioned his technical ability. Maybe, however, it's time for him to go all the way into instrumental jazz or new age music. If the lyrics to the album-closing "Swan Song" are any indication, he has some changes in mind, and not a moment too soon. It's hard to imagine that a major label is going to continue to subsidize records like this for the pop market much longer. -- William Ruhlmann\n\nAmazon.com Editorial Review\nFrom its unusual jokey cover of his Uncle Charles to the diverse amalgam of styles (jazz, R&B, pop) covered over its two discs, Spirit Trail is Bruce Hornsby at his most difficult to pin down. Whereas his work with the Range set standards for '80s adult-contemporary pop, Hornsby is now determined to move from the middle of the road to new territory. The unusual piano breaks throughout the first disc ("Resting Place" detours into fuzak), the sprightly hip-hop rhythms, the horns that punctuate "Line in the Dust," the simple, playful pop pleasures of "Shadow Hand" prove Hornsby can grow. He's still a super technician with ambitious production and arrangement designs, but his singing has grown more soulful with age. He'll never cut a convincing barrelhouse tune, as "Preacher in the Ring Pt. 1" attests, but his journey into Steely Dan-type sophistication brings his approach new life. --Rob O'Connor \n\nEntertainment Weekly\nTrail has a certain massive grandeur, but in the end its (and Hornsby's) virtues defeat it, and him. \n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nBloated, But Still a Great Album, July 12, 2002\nReviewer: "steve_seim" (Beaver Dam, WI United States)\n"Spirit Trail" is a 60-minute masterpiece buried in 90 minutes of music. "Fortunate Son" is Bruce's most hauntingly moving ballad since "Mandolin Rain," "Sunflower Cat" is irresistably funky, and "Sad Moon," "Shadow Hand," and "Swan Song" are just great songs. It's a pleasure to hear some instrumental interludes as well ("Song C," etc.). "Spirit Trail" is a unique and worthy contribution to American music.\nHowever, the album could have been improved tremendously by leaving out a few weak tracks. In particular, "Preacher in the Ring" (recorded in two different versions, no less) is both musically uninteresting and lyrically stupid (is Bruce trying to make fun of actual religious fundamentalists, or is this his "clever" way of comparing Christian conservatives with snake handlers?).\n\nBuy this album, but don't be afraid to skip over a few tracks.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nHornsby does it again....but in a different way, June 29, 2002\nReviewer: andy (Toronto, Canada)\nAnother great album put out by Bruce, but still somehow different from Hot House and Harbor Lights. I think it is the fact that it's not as totally jazz-influenced. I think we hear a lot more (rock) guitar on this cd, not like on his previous two projects where Metheny's jazz guitar (and even some sitar) was more evident. Of course there are some very jazz-oriented songs such as "Sneaking Up on Boo Radley" and "Sad Moon" which is a very pretty track. On "Sad Moon" we are not lead through a typical hornsby song. About half of "Sad Moon" was a jazz-piano solo. I feel he really is showing us his technical skill in Spirit Trail, as there are some tracks where there is just piano such as "Song C", "Song D" and "Variations of Swan Song & Song D". I bet a lot of people feel the cd should have been condensed or a lot "tighter" but I don't think so. In addition, I love how Hornsby songs don't just tell a story or talk about important social ascpects but how they are really very catchy. I particularly love "Resting Place", "Line in the Dust" (which is my favourite)and "Swan Song". "King of the Hill" just blew me away with the two hand piano work. You hear him do something with his left hand over and over again while doing something completely different with his right. Almost like an ostinato. These are some of the best songs I have ever heard from Hornsby. I feel even "Fortunate Son", "Listen to the Silence", "Sunlight Moon" and "The Great Divide" deserve a lot of respect and attention. I have seen a lot of reviews and I notice many people don't like "Preacher in the Ring". I actually loved these songs but especially the second part. They have a beautiful rural feel and remind me of some of his previous tales such as Country Doctor. Anyways, Spirit Trail in my mind is the best cd of 1998.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nGood, but not as enjoyable as earlier Hornsby, November 29, 2001\nReviewer: David "still learning" (Eastern USA)\nI loved Bruce's early works, then sort of lost track of him for most of the 90's as his star faded. I decided to revisit his music after reading some rave reviews on Amazon, but I can't agree that it's his best. I am still pleased by his pianism: "King of the Hill" starts the set with high energy and incredible polyrhythmic piano riffs. But by the end, I didn't feel that sustained enough good ideas for two CDs. For example, two versions of the cynical "Preacher in the Ring" is overkill. On the positive side, there is some very beautiful slow plaintive piano playing as well as virtuosity. \nBut unfortunately, I think his singing sounds very ordinary, like his voice has worn down. Not that he sounds "old" but he's not as fresh and vibrant as in his earlier recordings (particular "The Way It Is" and "Scenes from the Southside)" Those CDs grabbed my attention immediately: Spirit Trail may grow on me, but I doubt it will grow to their level. Bruce's voice is lower and it sounds like he's having trouble with the high notes (above F). So even the catchy "Great Divide" that ends disc 1 probably would have sounded better 10 years ago.\n\nSince I like Bruce especially for his acoustic PIANO, I much prefer the first CD (piano-centric) vs. the second (synth-centric). If I had to rate them separately, I'd give 3.6 to disc 1 and 2.8 to disk 2. However, "Swan Song" is a beautiful closer to the set.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nTwo disc masterpiece., February 22, 2000\nReviewer: Jason Stein (Chula Vista, CA United States)\nAny time I see an artist releasing a double album I get a dreadful sensation. How am I going to listen to two hours of music by this artist? Well, I should have known. I've been a long time Hornsby fan and this is his best album since 1988's Scenes from the Southside. Why? Well, this two cd set offers many upbeat tunes with a wide range of social topics. There are instrumentals (which Hornsby's 5 previous albums have been lacking), there are ballads, there are songs that make you think, make you feel good, make you feel sad, and in the end the two discs are over and you want to listen again. I was very surprised by Hornsby because his last two cds were good but missing something. Spirit Trail is Hornsby back to form. I am ashamed of U.S. radio stations catering so much to those under 20 years of age. Who thinks that teenagers wouldn't like Hornsby? Are the Backstreet Boys more important than Hornsby? I think not. I was 13 when I became a Hornsby fan, why "King of the Hill" wasn't a hit I don't know. There's plenty of good songs on this set. Wake up RCA records! You have a talented musician easily compared to Billy Joel or Elton John and you overlook him. Didn't Bruce win best new artist? I see "Song C" is nominated for best intrumental on a rock album--what a shame it should be Best Album nominee. Whatever happened to Graceland or Back in the High Life Again or Private Dancer? All of those were people over 30 making great music and teenagers were listening too. Spirit Trail was one of the best cds released in 1998.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nBruce's Best Solo Album, February 13, 2000\nReviewer: Ray McDonald (Maryland, USA)\nForget the middling reviews; this is Bruce Hornsby's best solo album to date. I find his first two albums with the Range unmatched for their intense melodies, a talent he rediscovers with this set. Four stars because I feel it drags a bit in the first disc; the second's masterful from start to finish. One of the sleepers of '98.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nCareer defining album for Bruce Hornsby, November 22, 1998\nReviewer: A music fan\nWith "Spirit Trail," Hornsby has put together a superb collection of songs that define his unique piano-based style. With his technique at its finest, with this CD Hornsby has reached the pinnacle of his recording projects to date. Each of the two discs is produced by a different producer team (the first by Hornsby himself, the second a collaborative effort with Hornsby). While I prefer the acoustic-based rock of the first CD, the second, which is more electric and somewhat more pop oriented, is still very enjoyable and does not betray Hornsby's style. If you're a Bruce Hornsby affeciado, this CD boxed set is a must --- The Beatles White Album equivalent of his career.\n\nHalf.com Details \nContributing artists: Ashley MacIsaac, Deborah Harry \nProducer: Bruce Hornsby, Michael Mangini \n\nAlbum Notes\nPersonnel: Bruce Hornsby (vocals, dulcimer, piano, Wurlitzer piano, organ, synthesizer, Mini-Moog synthesizer); John Leventhal (guitar, bouzouki); Matt Scannell (guitar, mandolin); Michael Mangini, Wayne Pooley, Adam Larrabee, David Bendeth (guitar); Ashley MacIsaac, David Mansfield (violin); Bobby Read (flute, clarinet, saxophone, baritone saxophone); John D'Earth (trumpet); Tim Streagle (trombone); J.T. Thomas (organ); J.V. Collier, John Pierce, Skoti Alain Elliott (bass); John Molo, Matt Chamberlain, Shawn Pelton (drums, percussion); Ernesto Laboy (congas); Bobby Hornsby (shaker); Deborah Harry, Joe Lee, Kyle Davis, Colette Coward (background vocals).\n\nEngineers: Wayne Pooley, Mark Needham, Skoti Alain Elliott.\n"Song C" was nominated for the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance.\n\nHis time spent as a keyboardist with the Grateful Dead obviously put a bit of boogie into Bruce Hornsby's soul, as SPIRIT TRAIL makes it clear that Hornsby's graduated from Donald Fagen impressions to a more eclectic, rootsy approach that incorporates R&B, folk-rock, blues and more. Whatever stylistic mode Hornsby takes to spin his tales, he invests it with an undeniable funkiness that's apparent in both the subtle bop of the rhythm section and the syncopated meter of his always-intelligent lyrics. Naturally, the main instrumental ingredient of the album is Hornsby's piano work, ever energetic and inspired as it colors the earthy grooves of the tunes. Hornsby obviously had a lot on his mind this time around, as SPIRIT TRAIL spreads 20 tracks over two CDs, ranging from ballads to full-out rockers.
This rock cd contains 10 tracks and runs 48min 6sec.
Freedb: 900b440a
Buy: from Amazon.com

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