ZONE OUT with the ROLLING RIDER
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Bruce Hornsby Band with Steve Kimock
Town Hall, NYC, NY
9.20.02
____________________

Friday, 9.20.02

Our OTHER brother Bruce and our old PHRIEND Steve…

12 years to the day that Bruce completed his first 'official' run at the Garden with the Dead, he was back in NYC 'playing in the band'. This time leading his own ensemble and joining forces with guitar genius Steve Kimock.

The Rider was delighted to attend this performance after regretting having missed the inspired 1998 Yoshis shows in Oakland, CA where Bruce held court for about a week at the infamous jazz club. Well, not only did Phil Lesh and Steve Kimock show up one night to join Bruce for an electrifying "Scarlet Begonias, Tennessee Jed, Loser, Rainbow's Cadillac", but Steve remained a guest for almost every night! Of course, Steve and Bruce had recently developed a musical kinship while sharing the stage with the Other Ones, but to hear the two together in the intimate setting of Yoshis, really shined a light on their musical compatibility.

Needless to say, 4 years later, the Rider headed out for a chance to hear more of this magic. The show started out a little rough with some piano tuning problems, but as Bruce warmed his chops on his grand Baldwin, his 'spider fingers' dancing over the keys like lightening, the crowd began to warm up as well. He opened with a sweet NIGHT ON THE TOWN followed by BOO RADLEY. At this point his band and Steve came out to join in the fun.

As any Kimock fan knows, the man needs a good 200 bars just to warm up, so I thought this would be no problem for jazz and jam master Bruce Hornsby. However, for some reason, Steve was playing more background chords then stellar leads, and Bruce seemed content to keep any jams boxed into abridged fleeting moments. The songs and playing were of course excellent, but if you are going to feature Steve Kimock on your tour, it'd be best to at least give him a chance to shine! Knowing how Steve may react in situations like this, and knowing that the remainder of Bruce's tour had been cancelled, one can only wonder if Bruce is really holding it together these days?

Again, there were many moments that did shine, like the FORTUNATE SON > COMFORTABLY NUMB > FORTUNATE SON. Bruce's singing of this Floyd classic was awesome and the whole package was emotionally charged. A little bazaar to hear him tell the story of how Roger Waters asked him to perform the song with him a few years back but Bruce had never heard the song before!??

When the band fired up the first notes to RAINBOW'S CADILLAC, we thought we would finally be treated to a Kimock shred-fest. However, when Bruce signaled Steve to take it, he and his stage manager hippie-danced in front of Steve and then invited about 20 hippie-chicks up on stage to also dance around. Although entertaining to watch, Steve was ultimately distracted and cut off about 10 bars into his solo.

At least there was some OTHER surprises in store. Alphonso Johnson made his way out to center stage during the Rainbow's and contributed his monster bass chops to the jam. He and Bruce's bass player complemented each other fine and really rocked the house. Perhaps the rumours of THE OTHER OTHER ONES may not be rumours after all??

Bruce invited Alphonso back out for the encore and they proceeded to tear up WHITE WHEELED LIMOSINE > LONG BLACK VEIL > WHITE WHEELED LIMOSINE. Right before breaking into it, Bruce commented that this was a tune he recorded with THE OTHER ONES. As the encore got going, there was still a chance for Kimock redemption. Indeed Steve hit the ground running, but every time he paused to adjust his gear (a common part of the Kimock rip-process), only gave another chance for Bruce to cut the solo short. Well, Steve definitely raised the roof on this one, but sure enough, was prematurely interrupted by Bruce and the show was soon finished.

In a nutshell, the show was great, but semi-disappointing. Bruce still has the chops and plays and sings with that touch of emotion that made the big J smile so many times. But if you want your taste of the 'Mock, you'd best catch Steve Kimock Band and realize that 'Steve-as-guest' is really a gamble and probably not the best format for him to shine.

Going out for a night on the town
Going out to the smoke and trees
Going out for a night on the town
Going out for a look and see
Said do what your daddy told you
Well I just went out and did that…

Rolling on,
RR

Bruce Hornsby Band featuring Steve Kimock
9.20.02, Town Hall, NYC
Night on the Town (Bruce solo, with tuning difficulties to start), Boo Radley, Resting Place, (Persian Jam)>Pete & Manny (Bruce on accordion), The Chill, Fortunate Son>Comfortably Numb>Fortunate Son, Place in the Sun, Harbor Lights, Rainbow's*>I'm My Own Grandpa*>Cadillac*

E: WWL*>Long Black Veil*>WWL*

*With Alphonso (Long Fingers)

(setlist courtesy of alt.music.artists.bruce-hornsby)

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read the Hunter 8.9.02 Rider

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