It’s been a dozen years since I’ve seen Bruce Hornsby live. Not from lack of desire but rather from lack of performances anywhere near me. So when I got wind that Bruce would be performing in San Diego with another one of my favorite bands to see live, Railroad Earth, I jumped at the chance to make the 2 hour trek down the 5 freeway. I was not disappointed.
A Wednesday night in San Diego might normally be as Wednesday as anywhere else in the world. Halfway between the fun you had and the fun you’re going to have. Hump day. For me it was Hump-hrey’s Day. I’d never been to this venue before but I’d heard good things. Nothing could have quite prepared me for what it actually is. A marina adjacent hotel on a small island nestled between Mission Bay and the city of San Diego. A large stage erected conveniently between the hotel and the marina making for a unique ability to get a room and have an amazing view of the show and the sunset as it dips into the Pacific. A great place to see Bruce and RRE!
There’s more than one degree of separation between the RRE fans and the die hard Bruce Hornsby fans. Look out over the crowd and you’ll see a sea of seated boomers with glasses of red wine and a very composed demeanor mixed with tye-dye wearing, bearded, dread-locked, craft brew swilling hippie types. Many of the latter had not witnessed the majesty of Hornsby and certainly were unfamiliar with most of his tunes other than that he once played with the Grateful Dead following the untimely demise of Brent Mydland. The surprise on their faces when Hornsby finished his set was priceless and there’s no doubt that some young RRE fans will look forward to more collaborations with Hornsby.
Bruce welcomed a few of the Railroad Earth members out on a couple songs. Highlights from Bruce’s setlist included Jacob’s Ladder and an encore of Long White Limosine that got everyone primed and ready for the Railroad Earth set.
It’s been a few years since I’ve seen Railroad Earth and last time was a rockin’ jamgrass heel kickin’ foray at the Roxy on Sunset Blvd in Hollywood. This show would be a far cry from that as RRE played a more subdued, albeit enjoyable, bayside show. They were joined by Hornsby on one tune, Black Bear. They gave the So. Cal crowd a treat with the cover of Woody Guthrie’s “California Stars.” The rest of the show ebbed and flowed like the waves lapping against the boats in the marina, giving everyone more of a comfortable ride through the countryside than the Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride that I’m used to. One fan commented, “Hornsby’s mellowed them out tonight.” Mellow or not, I always love a RRE show.
Selist
Railroad Earth:
Cold Water
Mighty River
Carrying Coal to Newcastle –>
Black Bear *
Dance Around Molly –>
Dandelion Wine
Storms
California Stars
The Hunting Song –>
The Green Roofs of Eireann –>
Like a Buddha
* with Bruce Hornsby
on grand piano
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