Re: Bruce Hornsby: Jazz Carpetbagger

On Jun 29, 12:13 pm, Brad Greer <jjh110...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
On Fri, 29 Jun 2007 19:07:15 GMT, Avant Grape





<avantgr...@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Brad Greer wrote:
On Fri, 29 Jun 2007 18:33:55 GMT, Avant Grape
<avantgr...@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Brad Greer wrote:

On Fri, 29 Jun 2007 11:08:50 -0700, "Andrew" <amur...@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

While I think Hornsby was the most talented keyboard player the Dead ever
had, I also think he had trouble fitting in with the Dead musically. His
light and airy sound (he didn't get deep and dark often- can you imagine
Bruce fitting into the 10/26/89 show, for instance) combined with the turn
towards the MIDI junk definitely turned the Dead sound a bit. That being
said, he certainly had enthusiasm for the music and, while not filling every
space I would hope a Dead keyboardists could fill, he did add some great
moments... Sorta like one of those NFL receivers who can burn down the
sideline and maybe flashy catches for TDs, but can't go over the middle and
get the tough 1st down catch.

Andrew, that's a great analogy (and not just because you used football
instead of baseball). Hornsby definitely had talent (still does), he
definitely brought enthusiasm for the music, but I agree he didn't
have the darkness element.

Bruce sort of just poked around and did what he pleased, which made for
a very chaotic overall sound IMO. He never really integrated himself
and his talents into the Dead's sound. Not that it would have mattered.
Too bad he didn't join up in the 80's with Brent on organ and Bruce on
the piano. That might have been interesting.

I don't know, I'm not a big fan of having two keyboardists in the band
regardless of who the keyboardists are. The inevitable muddiness
would have outweighted anything interesting, IMO.

Not a big fan either in the context of the Dead. But it also depends on
the combination of musicians and what sounds they are using. IMO a
group like The Band used two keyboardists very effectively. I see more
possibility of that happening with an organ/piano combo rather than a
cheesy synth/unrehearsed piano approach. Plus Brent had a much better
ear than Vince in an improvisational setting IMO.

Sorry I wasn't clear - I don't think two keyboardists would have
worked well for any length of time with the Grateful Dead regardless
of who the keyboardists were. Two drummers, two keyboardists and
Weir's style on rhythm would be just too muddy a mix for me. I don't
know how often Pig and TC played keyboards at the same time during
TC's time with the band, I haven't really analyzed it that closely.
But my perception was always tha TC was doing the more "out there"
stuff and Pig would lay low for a lot of the really psychedelic jams

I had the great fortune to jam with TC several times in the early '90s
with my old band. He really is an excellent man and musician.

LP

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Bruce Hornsby: Jazz Carpetbagger
    ... I also think he had trouble fitting in with the Dead musically. ... towards the MIDI junk definitely turned the Dead sound a bit. ... regardless of who the keyboardists are. ... IMO. ...
    (rec.music.gdead)
  • Re: Bruce Hornsby: Jazz Carpetbagger
    ... I also think he had trouble fitting in with the Dead musically. ... towards the MIDI junk definitely turned the Dead sound a bit. ... regardless of who the keyboardists are. ... IMO. ...
    (rec.music.gdead)
  • Re: Bruce Hornsby: Jazz Carpetbagger
    ... I also think he had trouble fitting in with the Dead musically. ... towards the MIDI junk definitely turned the Dead sound a bit. ... I'm not a big fan of having two keyboardists in the band ... IMO. ...
    (rec.music.gdead)
  • Re: Bruce Hornsby: Jazz Carpetbagger
    ... I also think he had trouble fitting in with the Dead musically. ... His light and airy sound combined with the turn towards the MIDI junk definitely turned the Dead sound a bit. ... Bruce sort of just poked around and did what he pleased, which made for a very chaotic overall sound IMO. ...
    (rec.music.gdead)
  • Re: Bruce Hornsby: Jazz Carpetbagger
    ... I also think he had trouble fitting in with the Dead musically. ... towards the MIDI junk definitely turned the Dead sound a bit. ... I'm not a big fan of having two keyboardists in the band ...
    (rec.music.gdead)