Bruce Hornsby/Grateful Dead: Sacramento (1996)

Here’s Bruce Hornsby on a Grateful Dead-related tour, from Sacramento, CA. We’re continuing our downloads and features on Bruce Hornsby and the Grateful Dead to mark the announcement the final “Fare Thee Well” shows, from July 3-5. 

We’re featuring a series of downloads of various collaborations between Bruce and the Dead. And there have been many: aside from opening with them and playing with them, Bruce has played the “duo” shows with Bob Weir, the Furthur tours, and had various members sit in with the Noisemakers.

Our next offering is another from the Furthur tour in July 1996, from Hartford, CT.

A couple of Bob Dylan covers in the middle make this a great show to add to your collection.

The full setlist:

07/29/96 Cal Expo – Sacramento, CA
Rainbow’s Cadillac > Well You Needn’t, Jacob’s Ladder, What A Time > Jacobs Ladder, On the Western Skyline, When I Paint My Masterpiece, I Shall Be Released, The Way It Is, White-Wheeled Limousine, Mystery Train
Comments: From Furthur Festival ’96.

Download Bruce Hornsby and the Grateful Dead – Sacramento, CA .. July 29 1996

  01. Rainbow's Cadillac > Well You Needn't
» 10.4 MiB - 1,292 downloads

  02. Jacob's Ladder
» 6.5 MiB - 1,074 downloads

  03. What a Time > Jacob's Ladder
» 8.1 MiB - 1,095 downloads

  04. On the Western Skyline
» 7.4 MiB - 1,091 downloads

  05. When I Paint My Masterpiece
» 5.1 MiB - 1,070 downloads

  06. I Shall Be Released
» 6.3 MiB - 1,101 downloads

  07. The Way It Is
» 8.6 MiB - 1,111 downloads

  08. White-Wheeled Limousine
» 7.1 MiB - 1,024 downloads

  09. Mystery Train
» 4.4 MiB - 1,097 downloads

Hope you enjoy, and be sure to come back to Bruuuce.com for more Dead downloads soon!

Bruce Hornsby’s relationship with the Grateful Dead

Early connections

Bruce Hornsby’s relationship with the Grateful Dead began in the late 1980s when he started performing with them as a guest musician, and opened for them at concerts. 

Collaborations

In 1990, Hornsby was invited to join the Grateful Dead onstage during their concerts. This collaboration introduced Hornsby’s musical elements into the Grateful Dead’s improvisational style, and performances of Bruce’s Stander on the Mountain and Valley Road.

Influence and inspiration

The Grateful Dead’s influence on Bruce’s music is significant. He has cited the band as an inspiration for his approach to live performance, emphasising spontaneity and musical exploration. His work often features extended improvisational sections, a hallmark of the Grateful Dead’s style.

He has expressed admiration for the band’s ability to connect with their audience and create a communal experience through music. This ethos resonates with his own approach to songwriting and performing, where he fosters a similar connection with his listeners.

Ongoing legacy

Even after his initial collaborations with the Grateful Dead, Hornsby has maintained a close relationship with the band’s legacy. He has performed with members of the band, including Bob Weir, and has participated in tribute concerts celebrating their music.