Customer Reviews

Greatest Radio Hits

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I can think of few artists who have changed so dramatically in the course of their careers as has Bruce Hornsby. I'll be honest that I strongly prefer the piano-pop driven sound of his first two albums, "The Way It Is" and "Scenes From the Southside" (represented by 5 well known songs here). His later albums become increasingly jazzy and improvisational- his time spent with The Dead certainly had an influence (or was he chosen because of the direction his music was taking?). While I admire Hornsby for not pandering to a successful but ultimately predictiable forumla, I definitely find his earlier work more accessible. That's more a reflection of the limits of my tastes than it is of any problem with the artist.

A third of this collection comes from those first two albums, and I think that's an adequate representation. The songs selected from the rest of his catalog are very good, and arguably the most listenable of the bunch. Particularly good is "Fields of Grey" from his fourth album- it's probably his best song and one that should have gained much more airplay than it did. The live version of "End of the Innocence" is fair- Bruce's singing strips the song of much of its melody, and again, is much jazzier than the better known Don Henley rendition of the song.

Overall, a highly enjoyable greatest hits album that does a good job of capturing the various phases of an artist with quite a varied career. If you're looking for 15 piano-driven ballads topped with that 80s synth sound, you're not going to find it. But be open-minded and take a listen to what Hornsby has to say. And the remastering job on the older songs is spectacular- I wish they'd go back and touch up the sound on the original albums.

"Wonderful accidents" is the phrase that Bruce Hornsby uses to describe the songs that comprise his latest CD, a compilation of his greatest radio hits from his decade and a half long career.
Spanning classics mostly from his first three albums plus one each from his previous four, "Greatest Radio Hits" serves as an excellent introduction to Bruce Hornsby's music. The obvious hits such as "The Way It Is", "Mandolin Rain", "Every Little Kiss", "The Valley Road" and "Across The River" are all included here. Additionally, there are three 'new' but familiar tracks included on this compilation including a live bluegrass/zydeco take on "Jacob's Ladder" (his #1 smash for Huey Lewis and the News), an extended live version of "The End Of The Innocence" (a Hornsby-penned hit for Don Henley) and a new studio version of "Go Back To Your Woods" originally recorded by The Band's Robbie Robertson.
The CD booklet includes extensive and biographical liner notes with contributions from Bruce Hornsby himself. It's quite amazing that in the midst of the popularity of synth-pop and hairband Metal, Bruce was having hits amongst them. While many of the musical fads have come and gone, his songs still get played on the radio as if they were brand new and fresh. Granted, this is timeless music from a great pianist and songsmith. I am extremely thankful that Bruce was able to have these 'wonderful accidents' and compile them onto one album.
To hear Bruce Hornsby's more ecclectic diverse style, check out his later work from 1993's "Harbor Lights" onwards (a period which is underplayed on this CD).

I was never into Bruce Hornsby's albums -- not even his monster-selling 1986 debut The Way It Is. But his songs always really appealed to me whenever I heard them on the radio and I kept hoping he'd release a greatest hits album someday. Well, after buying Greatest Radio Hits, I wasn't disappointed. In my opinion there are only three studio tracks ("Lost Soul," "Set Me In Motion," "Walk In the Sun") on this CD that aren't absolute knockouts, but even they're listenable. I can also live without the two live tracks ("Jacob's Ladder," which was a hit for Huey Lewis and the News, and "The End of the Innocence," which is a wonderful song but I'm too used to Don Henley's excellent version), but I suppose they needed to be included since Hornsby had a hand in writing them. Bottom line: if you enjoy sophisticated piano-based rock by a musician with a lot of talent and integrity that's reminiscent of artists such as Leon Russell (BTW, I remember hearing Hornsby say one time how much he admired Leon), Jackson Browne, Billy Joel and Elton John, you should buy this CD!

Bruce Hornsby is easily one of the most underrated musicians in the music industry. His fans recognize this man's immense talent, but the rest of the music world seems to be oblivious to his virtuosity.

I feel sorry for anyone who has never seen the Bruce Hornsby Band perform live. In a sense, I'm glad he's not too mainstream, as I can still catch his live act in clubs and small theaters from time to time. The man is as great a performer as he is a musician; and his backing band is just plain phenomenal.

That being said, this CD falls just short of being a true "greatest hits" package. Noticably missing is "The Great Divide" arguably his greatest radio hit since his early days with The Range. I also lament the absence of "Spider Fingers" and "White Wheeled Limousine" which, while perhaps not "radio hits" are standout songs that stand above tracks like "The Good Life."

I would recommend this CD to those who are considering purchasing a Hornsby CD for the first time. And while I already own most of his CDs, I've purchased the disc just to have another verision of Bruce "End of the Innocence", a song which he cowrote with Don Henley. I'll take Bruce's reading of the song over Henley's any day.

This 15 track compilation does an excellent job of collecting 15 selected tracks that were his most popular radio hits onto one incredible CD!

His two most popular songs "Mandolin Rain" and the unforgettable and timeless "The Way It Is" make their well-deserved appearance on this collection (obviously) but a great proportion of his sophomore album "Scenes From The South Side" is also represented here deservedly because although it may just be me but I actually like "Scenes" even more than "Way It Is". "Look Out Any Window" and "Valley Road" are arguably among my favorite Hornsby songs of all time especially the former.

Yet this Cd also delves into some of his lesser known songs from "Night On The Town" and onwards although the albums following "Night" are almost completely overlooked but even his massively underappreciated "Big Swing Face" gets its chance here with the excellent song "Good Times".

While the omission of songs from each of his albums is questionable in my opinion the greatest thing I like about this collection is how his songs especially "The Way It Is", "Mandolin Rain" are remastered. The tracks mentioned already sounded very good especially by '86 standards but the improved sound quality makes them sound so much better, sharper and more detailed! If only they could do the same with the original albums that these songs were from it would be great.

Anyhow, those who already have his albums may not find a major reason to get this (apart from "Set Me In Motion" a great song by the way from the `Backdraft' soundtrack) but newbies will find a lot to hear on this CD!

I happened to stumble onto this CD while reviewing recent releases and I thought, "Hey, I remember them! They had a couple of hits and I liked the piano.", so I ordered it! I was shocked that I had forgotten these folks and HOW MANY hits they had! I recognized about 3/4 of the tunes! This is a great recording that will stroll you down memory lane. I'm a product of the 80s and still seem to be, so this hit home.

As another reviewer put it "Great Anytime Music". That's the truth! It's relaxing, yet gets your toe tappin'. It's worth the small investment to have this in your collection.

There aren't many Cds that I say have good or great songs all on the single disc, but this is an exception. This is one Cd I actually don't get tired of listening to on a daily basis.

This review is dated May 2008.
Who is Bruce Hornsby? He is an exceptionally gifted pianist and composer who managed to escape the major radar beacon and appeared via a side door in a manner of speaking because he decided to join the popular music scene rather than become a classical concert pianist. Unlike the stuffy or pompous stereotype pianists that accompany orchestras, Bruce is just one of the guys. Noble in his modesty, he outshines the standard orchestra pianist because he can compose--very well indeed! Bruce was born 11/23/54 in Virginia & stands at 6 feet 4 inches tall. He went to Berklee College of Music in Boston and to the University of Miami School of Music. He decided to get into the popular music scene, started off with his band, The Range, and in 1986 he really knocked me out with his smash hit, "The Way It Is," which has a superb melody of uncommon beauty. This super-stunner pop/jazz-mix song has a VERY elegant, sophisticated, and extraordinary piano composition. In his astonishing and crystalline execution, his fingers dance across the keyboard--every note clear and sharp. I recognized that "The Way It Is" was very special and Bruce was a gifted pianist, but as I listened to his other works, I soon noticed he is beyond extraordinary. Bruce is not an average or ordinary musician-composer--he is an extraordinary peerless musician. He may not fit an exceptionally gifted musician (prodigy) stereotype in part because he chose to enter popular music, but he IS one, oh yes! I think he created his own particular genre of music which is within the times (popular), usually has a southern flair (bluegrass), melodious with subtle or less subtle jazz mix. Bruce is also a very astonishing jazz musician as well! He also has a very beautiful voice, and he can sing very well. He's got it all--including gorgeous piano fingers and hands--that too!

Just a few highlights and what to pay attention to in this CD:

#1 "The Way It Is"--Listen to those key strokes and melody! He couldn't have done it any better--a super masterpiece. Absolute perfection. This pop/jazz-mix song is Bruce's first and prime example of his astonishing creative music skills in coordinating popular music with a VERY refined jazz mix. Since a preliminary recording of this song was done in his garage in 1984 (heard in "Intersections") and he was born at the end of the year, I can safely say he must have composed "The Way It Is" when he was still in his 20's. Incredible.

#2 "Mandolin Rain" A fan favorite and a great song.

#4 "The Valley Road"--AWESOME musical embroidery. GREAT melody and a truly astonishing jazz solo that fits in so well (so masterfully coordinated), it's like exquisite lace embroidered into the melody of the song. The piano solo ending to the song gives the "embroidering" its finishing touches, its final adornment--ah, what an exquisite composition! Listen to it twice if you didn't appreciate it right away. Bruce hit BINGO with "The Way It Is" and its jazz mix, however, this song (melody w/piano composition) is ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS! You can watch him play both songs (as originally composed) on the video included in "Intersections!" Some people (I used to be one of those people) are so hung up on "The Way It Is" they fail to really want to listen to his other compositions, and many are truly masterpieces (and even more complex in piano playing). It's not only the ears, but what's between the ears that makes much difference in music appreciation and enjoyment.

#6 "Jacob's Ladder" Another beautiful original that seems to have been picked out from the pages of a traditional song book, but Bruce wrote it all right.

#8 "Across the River" Haunting melody, otherwordly guitar playing. I hear the piano in the background, but it's drowned out by the other instruments. However, if you listen carefully, you can hear Bruce play the piano. This is a MASTERPIECE song.

#9 "Lost Soul" This is a most beautiful slow song and a fan favorite. It took me a few takes to fully appreciate this song, but it is subtilely seductive.

#10 "Set Me In Motion" is a livelier song that kicks the spirits back into high gear.

#11 "Fields of Gray" is a great song about the reality of life and a fan favorite.

#12 "Walk In the Sun" Listen to his astonishing background piano and chords! Absolutely splendid!

#13 "See the Same Way" Ah, what a gorgeous song!! It certainly has a southern flair and Bruce has a really sensuous singing voice in this one. This is one of my favorites for sure. His great voice stands out in this one for sure.

#15 "Go Back To Your Woods" Upbeat and funny song. This is a really good one!!

Listen to the superb majesty (notably the stunning & prodigious piano composition) of "The End Of the Innocence" in Don Henley's album, "The End Of the Innocence." Bruce co-wrote the song--he handed Don a tape with the piano chords & composition, making "the rest" a "no brainer" (Don's words) for Don Henley. If you haven't really listened to the original, please do so (it's Bruce playing the piano!). In this Radio Hits CD, Bruce does a live version of this song & jazzes it up a notch, he's busy singing while in the original recording, Don Henley sings & Bruce is busy playing the piano, thus he misses the target because the original recording is best. (I fell IN LOVE with this song & its piano composition back in the 90's & bought Don Henley's album. At that time, I didn't read who was playing the piano--well, NO WONDER I liked it!!! Bruce's music was trailing me, and I was able to get past "The Way It Is" & didn't even realize it!)

The studio recordings are always perfect to superb. His compositions are absolutely perfect to extra superb.

Did Beethoven sing? Bruce can sing VERY well, and I find Bruce's voice really great--sometimes it is downright gorgeous and sensuous, and with his musical genius, I will never notice if his voice is ever less than perfect--sometimes that happens, and I certainly don't care. His especially gorgeous and sensuous voice AND really excellent singing skills do stand out now and then--in his two albums "Spirit Trail," and in other albums you will often hear a particularly gorgeous and sensuous Bruce.

This CD is a sampling of some great works of an evolving artist. This is not a complete collection of his best works by a long shot. However, this CD is a very good start for folks who are new to Bruce as well as for established fans who want to have these songs in one CD. This CD has some really astonishing pieces and my favorite of all, "The Way It Is," but like Bob Dylan, Bruce's best works are not necessarily ONLY his radio hits. Many best works are to be found in his albums and recorded favorites during live performances--since he is such a master improviser sometimes greatly improving his original songs. Bruce freed himself from the constrictions of what was becoming a parody (his judgment--the sound of his first albums), and therefore uncompromisingly allowed himself creative freedom. He did not compromise his piano or music skills even when a few suggested to "dumb it down" for the popular music scene. Like rays of the sun that stream thru fissures of window blinds, glimpses of Bruce's extraordinary piano abilities can be witnessed as one listens to his CDs. Many songs do include lots of piano or organ--in the CD set "Spirit Trail" there are many such songs as well as in other albums. Besides my two above favorites w/piano solos, some downright prodigious or magnificent piano solos can be found in "Song H" (the entire song is a piano solo), "Circus On the Moon" from the CD "Halcyon Days" (which has an unequivocal prodigious piano solo), "Pastures Of Plenty" & "What A Time" from the CD "Harbor Lights" among many other songs. It seems Bruce is comfortable letting loose at the piano keyboard during live performances. Some songs are magnificent without lots of piano. Bruce's lyrics to all his songs, which are always exceptionally intelligent, very mysterious, richly insightful, piercing, and at times playful and funny are located in the insert of the original CDs. On his website, Bruce keeps his fans posted on his latest projects and achievements (Bruce has very loyal fans). If you are new to Bruce, and if you like at least a few of these pieces, it is indeed worth proceeding to his other CDs.

Come join me as I go through his albums and witness his uncompromising Category F5 tornado skills at the piano keyboard and some really superb compositions. I got this Radio Hits album in 2004, and it was the only album I had of Bruce until now, and all the other albums & videos of Bruce were purchased and listened to at the time of my reviews. I got a few REAL surprises!

I lost this review that was originally dated May 2008, by a technical glitch while editing and saving just one word. After I realized my frustration was getting me nowhere, I re-wrote this review--it's almost the same as the original.

Personal note: I regret very deeply I abandoned piano when I was 19 with NO valid excuse (I ran off to Europe) causing my parents and later MYSELF much grief. Youth! Bruce & I are almost the same age & this hits me very hard.

The problem for those who like Hornsby is that he has too many good songs to fit onto one CD. The remastered sound is nice. I really enjoyed reading the insert notes about his career. I've seen him in concert a few times and can honestly say that he's the best performer I've seen. I own everything he's put out and will enjoy this one too. I do like his Range stuff better, so I'm glad that most of the songs are from the Range days. Biggest omission: The Show Goes On; but it didn't get the Radio time it deserved.

It's agreed that some of Hornsby's greatest hits were once on the radio, but most of them were not. What we need is a boxed set of ALL of his songs. If this was a 2-Disc "Greatest Hits" set I'd be more satisfied, but I imagine something will be in the works sometime down the road. Either way, Hornsby is the best and you can't beat his stuff. This is a great CD with many great songs. It does have a few "so-so" live tracks on here, but most of the other ones are CLASSICS. I look forward to more compilations in the future Bruce! :)