Big Swing Face

Interesting reading the other reviews. There is no doubt that thisalbum is totally different from Bruce H's other albums, and I willexplain one of the major reasons why below. But before I do that I wantto say that Bruce H is a totally class act, and no matter what album hemight put out I'd listen to it and try to find something to like about it,though of course usually the music is great and there's no need to "force"myself to analyse it. Getting a little personal, I'm from Richmond, VA, very near to where Brucelives. I have friends who know his family, but I don't know him. I've talked toBruce a couple times, at a record store, etc. He is an incredibly genuine person,and as everyone knows, in concert he really works hard to give the audience theshow that *they* want. When I saw him where I now live this summer he took requestafter request from the audience. He only played 2 songs from "Big Swing Face"- both were great! During the song "Sunflower Cat," the takeoff on the Dead's"China Cat Sunflower," the stage was completely full of rejoicing people -only someone like Bruce would allow such a thing! There is a great version ofthis song on the excellent double live album. A friend of mine from VA and I were discussing why "Big Swing Face"is so different, and here's the story from an article in (I think) someRichmond newspaper. Bruce and his band had apparently recorded an entirealbum. Quoting my friend's email, someone from the record company "listened toit, said it sounded like everything else he had done and suggested starting overfrom scratch and taking a completely new approach. At first, Bruce was takenaback, but ultimately got into the new sound/style..." In my opinion the album more or less succeeds. I like about 7 songsand don't care for 4. I think that the song "Big Swing Face" is fantastic.Anyone who hasn't gotten into this album, play that song loud and concentrateon it - it's worth it. The 6th song, "Try Anything Once," is also great. As well some of the songs have great potential, but it isn't alwaysrealized on the album, and surely that is because of the band trying to adjustto a new style. For example, I feel that Bruce made a poor choice starting thealbum off with the weird "Sticks And Stones." But what a great song live! Not onlydid I hear it here, but Bruce told the audience he was going to be on the JayLeno show soon after the concert, and so I taped the show, the only TV I'vewatched this summer! The band did a fantastic version of "Sticks And Stones,"infinitely better than the version on the CD. I've listened to it quite a fewtimes. So clearly Bruce and his band have adapted to the new style, but wedon't always hear it on the record, for sure, and it disappoints me also.Yet my opinion of Bruce and his music is not at all diminished!

The bottom line, I believe, is that there's enough interesting stuff on this album (and one or two fanstastic songs) to make it worth it for those who have every album of his. But if you haven't yet heard all of Hornsby's stuff, then I'd buy "Spirit Trail" or "Hot House" before bothering with this stuff.Bruce has certainly not been shy about experimenting with different styles. The result has been some fantastic work, especially as the style matures (as it did on some of the more jazz oriented songs on Spirit Trail). Apparently having exausted the possibilities afforded him by the piano, Bruce has decided to try his hand at the more produced, electronic sound of modern pop. And while some of it feels forced and awkward, akin to some of his early forays into jazz on "Harbor Lights," it would be wrong to say that Bruce's established style isn't on this album. Underneath the heavy drum programming are often classic Hornsby harmonies and structure, especially on the first several songs.If anything, many of the songs seem to be a regression in terms of his career. Some of the songs ("The Good Life") sound like something he would've written in the 80s if he'd had enough money to buy the equipment.Unfortunately, a few of the songs seem more about experimenting with some trendy pop sounds ("Try Anything Once" and "This Too Shall Pass") and aren't very inspired musically. Bruce seems to be playing around with studio equipment and recording the result.

After fair warning by other reviewers and listening to the song clips, I was intrigued, but still almost passed on purchasing Swing Face. My intrigue, love of fushion jazz and the one cent price tag got the best of me however, and I decided to purchase it. It needs to grow on you, but it quickly became a wierd wonderful listen. Obviously a turn off for Hornsby fans expecting Bruce to be Bruce. But there are likely as many music buffs who might never enjoy Swing Face because they find mainstream Hornsby to be a turn off and they too are expecting Bruce to be Bruce, and missing out on this turn to the left.

As a long time Bruce Hornsby fan I was excited to hear this new cd and certain I would listen to it often...boy was I wrong!! Not only will I not listen to it often, I didn't even make it through once! Gone is the piano, gone are the artful and relevent lyrics, gone are the powerful and thoughtful arrangements, gone is the natural sound of a wide range of instruments in the music. In it's place is an overly synthesized, uninteresting and weak attempt at fusion jazz with a rap bend. This cd should probably be in the R&B section if you look for it at the store! If you like the Bruce Hornsby that gave us such great cd's as "Hot House" and "Spirit Trail" you will hate this cd. In fact, I can't think of anyone who would like this cd...it's just plain awful.

Just WHY do we pidgeonhole incredibly great artists that not only have the ability to soar but wish to? That's what Hornsby and friends do with Big Swing Face. Well produced (like that's ever been a problem with Bruce the perfectionist) and a sonic engineering rainbow. I find the selection of instruments interesting too. Lots of retro-sounding instruments throughout. Very smooth! Experience a true master in a very well done project! Can't wait until the next Bruce!

I can see why this album polarizes the Hornsby fans - there is almost no piano, no soaring vocal melody, and the lovelorn, socially-conscious lyrics from the Range days are absent. In their place he's moved into experimentation with drum-and-bass and trip hop, and I think he does it very well.Here Bruce focuses on groove instead of melody, and the lyrics are still clever and often funny - I particularly like the one where he is trying to get his young son to tidy his bedroom!Bruce continues to absorb new influences, and his singing style is now almost R and B.I love it!

Great albumIf you love hornsby youll love it

Einer der Titel auf Bruce Hornsbys wohl außergewöhnlichstem Album gibt die Marschrichtung für die Motive des Musikers an, diese Platte aufzunehmen: „Try Anything Once". Ein weiteres amüsantes Credo fndet sich im Booklet: „Bruce Hornsby plays Baldwin Pianos (but not much on this record)". Worüber man sich beklagen mag. Oder auch nicht.Ganz unschuldig an dieser Funk-Pop-Scheibe ist sicherlich auch Produzent David Bendeth nicht, der Hornsby dazu verleitete, die Nummer „So Out" ein wenig anders einzuspielen, als ursprünglich geplant. Und damit den Grundstein für diese Platte zu legen, die sich stellenweise so anhört, als habe Prince den Plan gefaßt, sich als Musiker und Künstler endlich nicht mehr so bierernst zu nehmen und mal richtig gute Musik zu machen, die ihm auch selber Spaß macht. Und richtig Spaß macht diese Platte.Bruce Hornsby hat in den vergangenen Jahren einige hierzulande wenig bekannt gewordene Alben herausgebracht, und jedesmal hat er seinen musikalischen Fokus einen Deut anders gesetzt. Aber niemals war der Sprung von einem Studio-Album zum nächsten so gewaltig wie in diesem Fall der vom homogen-elegischen Vorgänger „Spirit Trail" zu dem hyperaktiven „Big Swing Face". Wer Klavierballaden erwartet, der ist in der Tat hier vergeblich auf der Suche danach (wenngleich „The Chill" und „This Too Shall Pass" auch nicht zu verachten sind - aber halt ohne Piano). Und auch die vielfach gerühmten Songtexte Hornsbys, die Geschichten erzählen, sind auf dieser Platte häufig zu rhytmischem Funk-Gestammel verwandelt - und das ist hier auch gut so!Der Schreck könnte einem in die Glieder fahren, wäre dies Hornsbys aktuellste Veröffentlichung. Aber es ist inzwischen klar, „Big Swing Face" ist ein Experiment.. Wer über diesen Ausflug unglücklich ist, der sei an Hornsbys Neuling „Halcyon Days" verwiesen. Da hat's wieder Piano.Aber wer sich denkt: „What The Hell? I'll Try Anything Once. Got To Keep An Open Mind This Time", der sei aufgefordert, sich dieses Album zuzulegen. Für den Preis allemal. Und vielleicht denkt man nachher sogar: „Play it again, Bruce!"

Gerade habe ich mir meine Lieblingstitel von Bruce Hornsby in einer eigenen Compilation zusammengestellt und auch für mich überraschenderweise hat diese Scheibe die meisten Tracks beigesteuert. Was für mich dafür spricht, dass das Album seinerzeit nicht die Beachtung erhielt, die es verdient hätte. Vielleicht jetzt? Jeenfalls eine Empfehlung!

Great CD by a brave and talented artist. Should be in your collection.