Artist Bruce Hornsby And The Noisemakers

Bruce Hornsby was ubiquitous on the radio in 1986 thanks to his huge anti-racism hit “The Way It Is.” Since then, he’s shown an admirable desire to follow his muse rather than the bottom line, though his records have always sold decently whether solo or with backing band The Range. More recently, he collaborated with bluegrass legend Ricky Skaggs on an album and tour, but he’s the solo headliner here, backed by The Noisemakers, who have recorded five albums with Hornsby since 2000. The latest is this spring’s Bride Of The Noisemakers, a live record made while on tour from 2007 to 2009. It’s not the coolest record, but Hornsby might be due for a little coolness boost; Bon Iver’s upcoming self-titled record closes with a track, “Beth/Rest,” that’s quintessentially Hornsbian.

Updated 06/01/2011