Back in 2005, I marked this as a highlight of the year on this website:
“Bobby Read shone this summer – it was common to hear him solo four, five or six times a show.”
So many were equally moved through the years. Various correspondence from the shows includes:
“Tango King had everyone in the band taking spotlights, especially Bobby Read, who blew everybody away on sax.”
“Bruce let the band shine, particularly Bobby Read, who had several nice solos throughout.”
“Bobby Read had many memorable bits during the show, especially on Funhouse!”
“End of the Innocence was beautifully played and highlighted Bobby Read on the clarinet. I’ve said it before, but this guy is remarkable.”
“Bobby Read’s Electronic Wind Instrument solo on End of the Innocence was a near show-stopper.”
As well as such a valued member of the Bruuuce community, Bobby is a solo artist in his own right (be sure to check Monkfish, recorded in just two days!), which is also a great example of Bobby using his talents to play with local musicians in Virginia.
A gifted producer, composer and arranger , Bobby runs Small World Audio from his home in Charlottesville, Virginia. You can read and hear much more at www.bobbyread.com.
A couple of years ago we put together one hundred of Bruce Hornsby’s best live tracks. Bobby is mentioned in the annotations beside several of them, and here are six of the best:
30. Sugaree
» 7.8 MiB - 1,662 downloads
EMU Ballroom, University of Oregon – Eugene, OR
Sugaree
Maybe the second most popular Dead cover(!)… Bobby Read always makes this song.
41. I Shall Be Released
» 5.5 MiB - 1,573 downloads
I Shall Be Released
Who can resist an old Bob Dylan cover? Not Bobby Read, apparently – fantastic.
77. MIrror on the Wall
» 6.5 MiB - 1,351 downloads
Ridgefield Opera House – Ridgefield, CT
Mirror on the Wall
Since reworked as a much mellower song on the dulcimer, I love this version, and especially Bobby Read.
86. The Chill
» 3.9 MiB - 1,309 downloads
Denver Palace of Fine Arts, Denver, CO
The Chill
This was the first song I heard from Big Swing Face, and always loved Kimock’s solo. Bobby take it on here.
93. Funhouse > He's Gone > You Sexy Thing
» 9.2 MiB - 1,327 downloads
Mountain Winery – Saratoga, CA
Funhouse > He’s Gone > You Sexy Thing
The Mountain Winery always produces a great performance. Always look for Bobby Read in Funhouse.
94. The Good Life
» 3.8 MiB - 1,484 downloads
Mountain Winery – Saratoga, CA
The Good Life
Another for Bobby Read. He was red hot during this show (and tour, actually).
