Download: Bruce Hornsby and the Range – Norfolk, VA (1986)

This 1986 show from Norfolk in is a little bit of history – the earliest known recording of Bruce Hornsby and the Range, weeks before the release of The Way It Is single in the United States.

  This was an FM broadcast on Westwood One, recorded on August 23 1986 at the Boathouse Club in Norfolk, VA. It’s an early part of the Boathouse’s history too. The Boathouse was a warehouse on a pier on the Elizabeth River. It booked smaller-drawing acts, and was one of the first clubs in the country to offer “all-ages shows”. Those of drinking age were segregated from those who weren’t by a moveable wall of chicken wire. Sadly, it was lost to Hurricane Isabel in 2003.

The Range on this night was Bruce Hornsby, George Marinelli, John Molo, Peter Harris and Joe Puerta. 

Setlist: 08/23/86 The Boathouse – Norfolk, VA
Jacob’s Ladder, The Way It Is, Mandolin Rain, Red Plains, Every Little Kiss, Western Skyline, Down the Road Tonight
Comments: Westwood One broadcast.

Thanks to Timothy Andrew for tracking this down and sharing, and Pete Ebel for transferring the audio.

Download Bruce Hornsby and the Range – Norfolk, VA ..  August 23 1986.

  01. Jacob's Ladder
» 4.7 MiB - 202 downloads

  02. The Way It Is
» 6.2 MiB - 228 downloads

  03. Mandolin Rain
» 6.0 MiB - 180 downloads

  04. The Red Plains
» 5.1 MiB - 130 downloads

  05. Every Little Kiss
» 7.4 MiB - 142 downloads

  06. On the Western Skyline
» 5.4 MiB - 121 downloads

  07. Down the Road Tonight
» 6.8 MiB - 144 downloads

A review from the Virginian Pilot back in the day:

“IF YOU WEREN’T already a friend, or fan, of Bruce Hornsby’s when you stepped in to Bessie’s Boathouse on Saturday, chances are you were when you stepped out.

Hampton Roads’ own Hornsby – actually he’s from Williamsburg but, hey, what’s 30 miles? — has a neat RCA debut album that’s currently getting airplay all over the country, not just in little ol’ Hampton Roads. Saturday night was what you’d call a triumphant homecoming of sorts for Hornsby after years of struggling on the pop-music ladder, and he and his band, The Range, played a inspired set of good, tuneful rock ‘n’ roll to celebrate.

The concert was also broadcast live on the Westwood One Radio Network, so there’s little wonder that the Boathouse was packed with the curious as well as the initiated. Everyone roots for the hometown boy.

The pianist/singer looked almost shy in the face of the thunderous ovation he received from the rabid crowd, but his rock-steady band kicked into “Jacob’s Ladder” so tightly that Hornsby soon got over any nervousness. His nimble tinkering and Joe Puerta’s shuffling bass made this first song really swing, and set a fun pace for the whole show.

Hornsby’s music could be described as Billy Joel-type pop, with an occasional folk or Southern-flavored rocker thrown in for good measure. While his ballads can often sink into sub-Air Supply territory, his faster-paced songs are quite catchy. Think of him as a more rustic Greg Kihn.

“Every Little Kiss” and “On the Western Skyline,” in fact, are as seductive and hooky as anything Kihn or Joel have done in years. On these numbers, and a few of the other mid-tempo chuggers, The Range locked in on Hornsby’s groove and never let go, leaving the lead man’s expressive piano/voice double feature to do what it wanted. Guitarists George Marinelli and Pete Harris gave out nice, tasty guitar solos that accentuated the songs rather than competed with them, and the, crowd helped out with hand claps. It must have sounded great on the radio.

A bluesy jam gave Hornsby the opportunity to show off his keyboard skills and, though still a bit nervous, he modestly delivered the goods. At times he seemed to be quoting from sources as far and wide as Ray Charles and George, Winston, his sheepish grin firmly in place.

It was all very likeable, maybe even star quality, but a maudlin “Mandolin Rain” slowed the pace considerably. It’s not his best song at all, and comes far too close to any number of bad AM radio tunes to carry much impact. Luckily, some peppier songs followed and set the homecoming party back on the track.

The encore, a rousing version of “Down the Road Tonight” was the high point of Saturday night. With a chorus as catchy as flypaper, the song highlighted what is best about Williamsburg’s Great Rock Hope: singable melodies, smooth lead vocals and a tight rhythm bed (laid by the steady John Molo), all mixing together well like fine pop-rock should: While there is plenty of danger that success could spoil him someday – even his best songs sound a bit too radio-oriented – Bruce Hornsby showed Saturday night that he’s ready for the big time.

Hey, we knew him when”.