FANTASTIC!| Bruce Hornsby And The Rand - The Valley Road REACTION

[@csharporbflat2006]

You may have noticed that the older gentleman with the clarinet is never actually playing and you can’t really hear a clarinet in the song. That’s actually Bruce Hornsby’s dad. He was on the set that day and they decided to put him in the video. It’s a nice touch!

[@jeanstrickland2445]

That’s an interesting tidbit, thanks🙋🏻‍♀️

[@jackie_jrml]

His father "playing" the clarinet and then sitting watching him with delight is the sweetest thing!!

[@quincee3376]

Neat. Thx.

[@caseyaltorf2317]

Thanks for this!!

[@andymageen5308]

A nice touch indeed, thanks for sharing ✌️

[@andymageen5308]

Bruce Hornsby is one of those very rare pianists who you can recognize instantly by his style of playing. Absolutely brilliant ✌️

[@joethomas1775]

I agree! You can instantly tell it's him. Even in other people's songs. Like Bonnie Raitt "I Can't Make You Love Me" or Don Henley's "The End Of The Innocence"

[@lawrencedavis4406]

His own records are borderless, genre-less, def jazz influenced, but he really goes out there...I hear bluegrass, hip-hop, jazz, jamband (he played in the Dead for a bit), rock, catchy pop, everything...and his newest work is even more adventurous...

[@jenniferkasowicz9463]

💯 his piano playing is distinct. You know it’s him. I love that. He has a way of catching a note by a split-split-split second on the offbeat. His use of dissonance is also so recognizable. ❤️✌️

[@joetoth2564]

Huey lewis and the news "Jacobs ladder" is written by Bruce as well.

[@bknsty14]

You should do “The End of the Innocence” by Don Henley. It features Bruce Hornsby on piano. It’s an amazing song.

[@childcrone]

Oo, yes! I second this.

[@ken12603]

@@childcrone Don Henley blocks all his songs from being reviewed.

[@childcrone]

@@ken12603 Ah, didn't know that. If so, it's unfortunate, and he must have his reasons.

[@ken12603]

@@childcrone I heard a lot of these reactors complain about him and many say he has a team searching looking for them so most reactors stay away from him to avoid any trouble with KZbin. I think it's stupid because any time you get people introduced to your music is a good thing.

[@smd2169]

@@ken12603Yeah, Henley is pretty much an a-hole in every facet of life. He’s a great songwriter; but a pretty horrible person. He’s very litigious, as well.

[@serendipity191]

“ gone to her sisters “ is old euphemism for leaving town to have a baby . Why she came back like nothing happened because the family wanted to keep it a secret even though everyone new what they were taking about. “ visiting aunts “ is another one for wealthy families it was gone to school in Europe.

[@markhagerman1837]

I’m glad you said this. It’s a phrase I have not heard in a long time.

[@tammycosby4495]

And he talked about “he showed her what they do down the long valley road” and also he was “good enough to hire, not good enough to marry.” Definitely a hush-hush old-time pregnancy song.

[@serendipity191]

@@tammycosby4495 absolutely!

[@janleonard3101]

I've been waiting for you guys to get to this one! Bruce Hornsby is an absolute beast on the piano here.

[@whatseatontim918]

Me too! Glad they loved it.. 😁❤

[@eclecticexplorer7828]

I have been a fan of Bruce Hornsby & the Range since "The Way It Is" dropped in 1986. It went all the way to the top of the charts, and as the ultimate compliment to Bruce himself, he received a personal call from Sir Elton John about the song, saying "It's great to hear the piano on the radio again." The next one you need to check out is "On the Western Skyline."

[@shelleyl4117]

The way it is.. another great song

[@joelliebler5690]

Bruce and The Range’s first album is incredible! His piano playing rivals some of the best!

[@seanswinton6242]

I put him among the best. Elton John, Billy Preston, Joe Jackson, Billy Joel, David Paich, and Greg Phillinganes. The equation changes when you add keyboard players like Keith Emerson, Rick Wakeman etc.

[@bonepicker1]

The first 5 albums with the Range are good. The Range disbanded after #5, and Bruce put together the Noisemakers.

[@paulgarcia1566]

I'll listen to it at work today. This song put a little pep in my step this morning.

[@joelliebler5690]

@@seanswinton6242 I am a huge progressive rock fan so I understand what you are referring to!

[@Phaedrus10]

Superb……One of my favourite songs of all time is The End of the Innocence…. It was written by Bruce Hornsby and Don Henley of The Eagles…. It was a major hit for Don Henley and Bruce Hornsby also recorded it….. I have a Bruce Hornsby greatest hits album with a live version of the song…. I encourage you to check out either version of that great song

[@wiltchamberlainisthegoat13]

This song is one of his best. It’s an absolute banger. Reminds me of my college days.

[@scottlincoln1735]

You can’t help but smile and bop along with this song.

[@beerbratscheese1230]

Man, I gotta say, I love watching people find new music like this. It just bring a smile to my face seeing young people enjoy music from my generation. One think I feel bad for you about though, is you'll never know the feeling of deciding you like a song, and then going down to the music store to buy the CD and taking it home and soaking up the entire album. Ah, the good old days.

[@barrymuller5131]

I love CDs still but I love a record album more. I can’t tell you how many hours I spent in New and used record stores. I love the size, the art, the tactile feel, and the warmer sound.

[@JEREMY99218]

The video has scenes from the Williamsburg, Virginia, area (Colonial Williamsburg/Jamestown Ferry/James River). The band is playing in a building ("Blowe Hall") on the campus of the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA. The old guy with the clarinet is Bruce's Dad, Robert Hornsby, who was a musician, then lawyer, and real estate developer. His mother Lois Hornsby, was a piano player and teacher, there is a middle school in the area named after her. Bruce graduated one year after my mother from the same high school (James Blair HS). Bruce was quoted in an interview with the Chicago Tribune saying that the song (Valley Road) was inspired by observations he made growing up in Virginia. "Every year, some rich girl would get involved with some country guy, and they would act irresponsibly and have to deal with the ramifications." When asked why many of his band's songs dealt with socio-political issues, Hornsby replied that "there are some issues that we feel are important, so we write about them... we also like to tell a story, like in 'The Valley Road', or paint a picture." Next, react to Bruce's songs "Set Me In Motion" and "The Show Goes On" which were both in the "Backdraft" (1991) movies soundtrack (directed by Ron Howard & starring Ken Russell, Billy Balwin, Robert De Niro, Donald Sutherland). "The Show Goes On" was also featured in the first episode of the "Baywatch" TV show.

[@JEREMY99218]

"The Valley Road" was co-written with his brother, John Hornsby who he wrote many songs with. The song is included on Bruce Hornsby and the Range's 1988 album, 'Scenes from the Southside'. Released as the lead single from the album, "The Valley Road" reached the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in June 1988, peaking at number 5 the week of July 2. It also spent a week at number 1 on the Billboard adult contemporary chart in mid-June. This was the group's third song to reach number 1 on the adult contemporary chart, following "The Way It Is" from 1986 and "Mandolin Rain" from 1987. The single stayed three weeks at the top of the Billboard mainstream rock chart, becoming the first of the group's two chart-toppers on that list. In 1989, Hornsby re-recorded "The Valley Road" with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, which was included on the Dirt Band album Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Volume Two. Hornsby and the Dirt Band won a Grammy Award for this recording in 1990 in the category Best Bluegrass Recording. This version of the song was more in the country-bluegrass style of recording, inspired by Leon Russell and his collaborations with the New Grass Revival. Responding to some of the backlash he received from the bluegrass community on his Grammy win, Hornsby stated: "I won the bluegrass Grammy. It pissed off all the purists. And I understand their feeling about this. Here's this pop guy, and he's making this quasi-bluegrass. I totally understood the purists' protest."

[@richiesummerville1553]

You see a lot Williamsburg, Virginia in this video. My hometown and Hornsby's too. The band was playing in The College of William & Mary's old basketball gym.

[@MichaelJones-sh7nu]

Timeless. And way ahead of its time. Hornsby is one of the most in-demand session musicians in the business. If you listen carefully, you'll hear Bruce's piano on many, many tracks by as many artists.

[@kathleenpowell4216]

I have to be honest when I was a teen I didn’t care for Bruce Hornsby and The Range. When I hit my 40’s I found a new appreciation for this band. And like Amber mandolin rain is my favorite from them!!

[@kaychristensen4394]

I've had this LP since it came out 😎

[@kadesjohnson1985]

Oh Bruce Hornsby. Your music=my heart. Beautiful ❤

[@MaryUtah2]

If you listen to his songs you hear his deep dive into social constructs. This is about love affair between a rich plantation owner's teenage daughter and a blue-collar country boy -possibly a hired hand on her father's farm (teen pregnancy etc.,). The Way it is: Per Bruce's brother: "the song is mainly about compassion, about understanding racial and social types, and beliefs and practices that are different from your own" - Got to see Bruce & Range in 80's and again about 5 years ago at an outdoor theatre. Both were amazing concerts!

[@davidcooklock129]

It's kind of a fun, bright little video, but not honest to the social message of the song. Most of his songs social messages would not translate to a fun video anyhow. At least The Way It Is doesn't have images beyond the performance that it doesn't distract you from the lyrics.

[@shack8110]

Top 5 hit from Summer 1988, the 78th biggest selling single of 1988. I FLIPPIN LOVE THE PIANO OUTRO!!!!

[@fredchester921]

"EVERY LITTLE KISS." From Hornsby's debut album in 1986. What a wonderful tune, so upbeat... and the piano. OMG. One of my top 10 ever. Will have you two up and dancing together instead of sitting. Guaranteed. And later, asking yourself, "Where can we go to learn how to play the piano?!" --- Love your channel. Peace.

[@db-gb5xi]

Another great song of his is, Look Out Any Window.

[@pamrobinson4177]

They really need to react to this one!🙂

[@jeanstrickland2445]

Great suggestion 🤞🏼

[@acoronado2728]

“On The Western Skyline” and “Across The River” are both amazing Bruce Hornsby songs!

[@gingers.5933]

Check out "Every Little Kiss", another banger from Bruce. This Video was shot in his home town of Williamsburg, VA beautiful and very historic, a neighbor of my home town.

[@dustinjones8887]

Bruce is still going strong. I've seen him live twice in the past 10 years. You know he's great when in the 80's I was a metal head and still swung over to enjoy Bruce/Range and even buying his albums. Back then, that only happened with a few mainstream artists for me. Nowadays, I enjoy a much bigger swath of the 80's.

[@bkm2797]

I heard Bruce back in the late 80's through a friend who couldn't believe I hadn't heard of him, needless to say it was love at first listen,lol, been a fan ever since.

[@daleburkett4141]

I grew up with these folks. The setting was Blow Gym at the College of William and Mary. There was a mixture of friends of Bruce as well as college students. This song always brings a smile to my face. ❤

[@virginiavixen999]

Williamsburg, Virginia is rightfully proud of their hometown son, Bruce Hornsby. This video features Williamsburg and its people in such a fun and beautiful way.

[@BClarke]

Saw him at W&M Hall in spring 1990!

[@belindaraney1320]

In the song, the girl was in love with a worker on her plantation and he got her pregnant. "Showed her what they do down the long valley road." That's why she was sent away. Her father would bot let them marry. "Standing like a stone in the old plantation, rich old man would have never let him in. Good enough to hire, not good enough to marry." I love this song, though.

[@rodarthur5811]

End of Innocence live with Don Henley from the Eagles is a Great Song, Every Little Kiss should be your next song from Bruce.

[@Stratollac]

I'm not the first to say it, but given your new(ish) love for Bruce Hornsby, and an earlier video I saw where you’re lovers of bluegrass (Earl Scruggs & Friends “Foggy Mountain Breakdown”), You must find the bluegrass version of “The Valley Road” that Bruce did with The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. The breakneck pace and joyous energy (shouts and applause by the musicians performing it after the fade-out) of that performance will kill you!! An absolute MUST-HEAR moment of musical history for you to relish!

[@lynnleino2096]

Bruce said he ad lib'd the piano riff

[@MS-ro9dm]

The Dead South - In Hell I'll be in Good Company. (Official vid).

[@pop71mundi2]

Absolutely love this song. Bruce Hornsby came at and breathed some fresh new perspectives on music making at the time in the 80's.

[@stevehorsley4205]

I was fortunate enough to see Bruce several times live and he is FANTASTIC!!! A true piano master!!!

[@heyou702pc]

Another great piano player is Marc Cohn. One song you would enjoy because you have children is The Things We've Handed Down. Love love love Bruce Hornsby. This song is dope!

[@yolandabrooksqueenofsevens]

You know I love me some Bruce Hornsby yes❤🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@lancesmith1312]

Great Singer! You will love Benny Mardones (Into the Night). Incredible singer and the song charted twice in different years in the 80s (1980 and 1989). Timeless Song!

[@wiltchamberlainisthegoat13]

I’ve always loved that song since my awesome high school days. I can see 16 year old me driving to high school and listening to Mardones’ sing on the way.

[@waltw4537]

Yup. One heck of a piano player. We just walkin'. Nice reaction! Thanks!

[@cleekmaker00]

Look Out Any Window. It's a very prescient song made almost 35 years ago that fits today like a glove.

[@rwschumm]

Bruce Hornsby's Music is Unique and Fantastic! I have no good explanation why I've never bought one of his CDs. I'll have to correct that. One of his Top Hits! Thx You Guys! :)

[@funkmeyer4614]

Did y'all catch that it was about a couple in love, the guy worked for the girls father. He got girl pregnant, girl went to visit relatives, then came back like nothing happened...in other words, she left to secretly have the baby and adopt it out. 'good enough to hire, not good enough to marry. When it all happened, nobody wins. Walk on."

[@toddjohnson350]

Every Little Kiss

[@drewwho4512]

I remember Bruce Hornsby from my younger days. This video and song took me back. I live near Milwaukee, and he's coming to town this fall. Now I have to go. So good!

[@michaelfletcher9640]

I never did see the Rand make an appearance...

[@istari0]

A lovely song by an underrated band.

[@robertm7117]

Saw Bruce at the Woodland Park concert series, followed by Leon Redbone. An evening filled with great music and story telling.

[@jenniferfoster1692]

I love his piano playing sooo much! As others have mentioned, his playing is easily identifiable, his unique style just shines.

[@kellymoneymaker3922]

I live in the Historic Triangle ( Yorktown/Williamsburg/Jamestown) and worked at the College of William and Mary where a lot of this was filmed. Always makes me tear up to see this video in my stomping grounds. Great song!

[@acoronado2728]

I’m originally from Hampton with lots of family in Yorktown. These songs take me back to when I lived in Virginia as a kid

[@kellymoneymaker3922]

@@acoronado2728 I grew up in Hampton!

[@acoronado2728]

@@kellymoneymaker3922 awesome!!! I miss the area. I still visit family there sometimes though

[@luigi3964]

My favorite song by Hornsby. Thanks for this great video review.👍🎹

[@dawnpatrol700]

Just a few months later, he did a completely different mix of this with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. It's on KZbin - just type "nitty gritty dirt band valley road"

[@ericjohnson639]

Every Little Kiss is another great song.

[@kevinhoyt834]

Yes and next every little kiss

[@selfrealeyes]

Tori Amos is another phenomenal pianist. You guy's heard her song "Crucify," but her first big hit was "Corn Flake Girl" & of course there are plenty more which really show her talent. She will sometimes play 2 pianos simultaneously, one with each hand!

[@Johnny_Socko]

I was gonna say, if they like piano then they NEED to get back to Tori Amos. Cornflake Girl is a must (with the album version being better than the video version).

[@petersipp5247]

Increadable piano playing. Cool that you two are so into Bruce.

[@douglaslaney8536]

“Fields of Gray” my favorite Bruce Hornsby song. Don’t see many reactions to it.

[@benj1955]

When I saw Huey Lewis and the News in London in the mid 1980s, Bruce Hornsby and the Range were the support band.

[@joelstarkey1143]

Jay and Amber... some new artists you should check out on your channel... Train ("Drops Of Jupiter", "Hey, Soul Sister"), Josh Groban ("You Raise Me Up", "February Song"). Thanks!!

[@jenniferkasowicz9463]

Yes! I’ve noticed they haven’t reacted to Train!

[@chibirenee14]

"Every little kiss" is next.

[@terrisue4059]

His music makes me sad that I didn't stick with piano lessons. I now have my parent's piano that I grew up with. I would love to play like Bruce.

[@markphillips5724]

The Bass Player Joe Puerta is the co founding member of Ambrosia and also the producer of my album Country Mark and Memory lane.

[@tonyandrus6432]

Elton John said that Bruce was one of if not the greatest piano players!

[@mitchridder4071]

MOOOOORE Bruce :)! If you want to hear the BEST piano you've EVER heard (BETTER than Elton or Billy), try Bruce's "The Show Goes On" featured in the Ron Howard movie "Backdraft."

[@timbarrett866]

Absolutely one of my favorites

[@JoseMorales-nb6nn]

I truly enjoy there songs, there all great... Here are more songs by Bruce Hornsby and the Range... The Show Goes On... The Road Not Taken...

[@edwardmeade]

I love all the Virginia references in the song and the video. Bruce grew up in Williamsburg (note the ferry across the James River). The Valley Road is the road that runs down the Great Valley of Virginia (Winchester to Bristol) aka U.S. 11. I've always figured the song was about some dad sending his daughter from a Tidewater plantation over the Blue Ridge to keep her out of Bruce's reach, but in the end she came back to him.

[@Rob-eo5ql]

That’s awesome! Thanks for the backstory about Virginia

[@davidthaler7018]

Not quite. The daughter’s dad sent a hired hand down that road after he gets his daughter pregnant (“good enough to hire, not good enough to marry”). She goes off to have the baby and “comes back around like nothing really happened.”

[@cshubs]

Bruce also played piano for Grateful Dead a number of times. Fyi. 🙂

[@DonPetersimes-tz8ny]

Do you know how lucky you are? Most people your age will never know the wonder and the beauty of the music my generation actually wrote and played and had the pleasure of listening to. I love the wonder and amazement you feel when you hear something that most of people your age and younger will never experience and feel. You've been blessed with something I know nobody is ever going to be able to take away from you now. You now know why man was put on this earth, why the power of love is so much more than the love of power, and that music is the language of love and the universal language!

[@anthonyblakely399]

Great reactions!!! Love Bruce and his highly talented band!!! I have two album by him.

[@jimshoe9519]

My fav from Bruce Hornsby, takes me back to a really great time in my life.

[@astroteech]

Everything by Bruce is amazing, blues country fussion. Bruce's style is stand alone!

[@ken7531077]

Bruce Hornsby and the Range - Every Little Kiss

[@surlechapeau]

J/A, his "Across the River" was another top 20 songs!

[@ChrisIsaacson-uz1kt]

Bruce Hornsby is an amazing artist. I love the two songs you've done so far. But you would love two other great songs he does. "The Valley Road " from his "Greatest Hits" Album & "Across the River" (Remastered) from his "The Essential Bruce Hornsby" Album. You would love both songs.

[@jamespolinori9064]

There's no mistaking a Bruce Hornsby song. His key work is so distinct. And some of the best driving synths of the 80's. After All by Peter Cetera and Cher is a gem you would love!

[@ericcrabtree7404]

When you want more 80s piano, give The Captain Of Her Heart by Double or Uncertain Smile by The The a listen - you’ll love both!

[@DrJekyll38]

A few more Bruce Hornsby songs you should hear: "Every Little Kiss" "Look Out Any Window" "Jacob's Ladder" "Fire On The Cross" "Across The River" "Lost Soul" "Harbor Lights" "Talk Of The Town" "Fields Of Grey" "Walk In The Sun" "Cruise Control" "See The Same Way"

[@reynardofox6628]

Props to Jack Nicholson for his fine drum work.

[@ravenw.navarre9718]

Hi guys... I love Bruce Hornsby also... so glad you got to hear him. Got two suggestions for you, Lucy Thomas' version of Hallelujah, and Celine Dion and Andre Bottecelli's The Prayer. I think you might like them. love you both, Be Blessed!!

[@tdub102]

he lives nearby, and he's always been a cool low key guy, and used to perform at local festivals.

[@aprilmack3795]

This is one of my favorites. Another great one by Bruce is Across the River. Give it a listen. 😊

[@astroteech]

The most amazing blues/jazz guitar artist Bonnie Raitt described Bruce Hornsby as "Bill Evans meets gospel". Such an accurate and appropriate description. Look up Bill Evans and prepare to be schoooled.0 I started learning about music in the early 60' from my amateur/semi-professional jazz pianist/vocalist mother who picked up extra money playing Friday and Saturday night gigs (plus birthdays, retirements, weddings, Elk's Club meetings, etc.). She left me such a gift.

[@marksimpson1991]

LOTS of great music there. Seem him many times live. Fantastic.

[@BigC.]

Great track.

[@dggydddy59]

Bruce Hornsby's piano played a prominent part in a few other big Top Ten songs from other artists around the late 80's period, Don Henley's "The End Of The Innocence" and Bonnie Raitt's beautiful "I Can't Make You Love Me," which is an absolutely gorgeous song.

[@alexhorsburgh5986]

The epitomy of great 1980s and great American music.

[@tommytoms5445]

Bruce Hornsby was so good that he became an honorary member of the Grateful Dead and actually toured with them.

[@TheAcgtrs]

Every time I see these old Bruce Hornsby videos, I can’t help but notice the drummer… He always gives me, Jack Nicholson vibes…😂

[@charlesberry9683]

Across The River is a great song. In my daily Playlist.

[@annsprayberry9449]

Love Bruce Hornsby from looooooong ago!

[@bluzluvah5643]

just FYI the bassist in the Range is Joe Puerta , who was a founding member in the group Ambrosia, he again played Bass, and shared vocals with that great band,check out more from them....

[@stevehamilton8824]

The music that this band makes is just so easy and calming.

[@ZeeDahktah]

I could listen to him play all day.

[@thomasfinnell9681]

Joshua Kadison plays piano, he had a few songs in the early 90s. "Beautiful in my eyes", "Jessie" , "Picture postcards from L.A.".

[@sudzbuddy6]

Saw Hornsby in Japan back in 86' touring the release of " The Way it Is" AWESOME!!!

[@Susan-nf8wl]

Bruce Hornsby lives just outside Williamsburg, VA & the video was filmed in and around The College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA including the Wrenn Building & W&M football players. I ride that ferry across the James River quite often between Surry & Jamestown.

[@howieroarke]

Video was filmed in the old Blow Gym at W&M. Had a summer job in college as his mailman. That I will never forget.

[@isabeljimenez6067]

I only wish he'd had the courage to have the video reflect the lyrics. Still, beautiful piano playing.

[@Angelslvhf]

Listen to the lyrics next. He's talking about a farm hand that gets the plantation owner's daughter pregnant. He notices she was gone awhile but when she came back, she didn't want anything to do with him. The phrase Walk On is what was said to mules when they were pulling a plow. The owner is telling the hand is no better than his animals. Bruce sings good enough to hire not good enough to marry says it all.

[@jeffhowser6270]

Time for more Leon Russell! Delta Lady, Out in the Woods (Leon Live version!) Young Blood, Quinn the Eskimo Medley (also Leon Live,) Stranger in a Strange Land (you'll want lyrics for that one!) Prince of Peace, Queen of the Roller Derby, or his version of it's A Hard Rain

[@mikerichards67]

My favorite Leon album is Will O’ the Wisp, but he has so so many songs to choose from,one that you didn’t mention that I really love is Roll Away the Stone. Leon’s piano playing is masterful.

[@rubyswaim1441]

AND Leon is from Oklahoma!

[@herminiahernandez1512]

His piano playing style is easy to recognize before you actually hear him sing. It's great, love all his songs.

[@tomwrobel7280]

You really ought to hit either "Spider Fingers" or "Hot House" off Bruce's album Hot House. Bangers!

[@lawrencedavis4406]

Interesting song...about abortion...and the bassline is cool too, by Joe Puerta, from Ambrosia...the band got together at the end of Ambrosia in 1982... Bruce was in Ambrosia at the tail end of their initial run...and yes, his piano playing is tops, def jazz influenced...also played in the Dead & his own records are what I call genre-less, impossible to categorize...jazz, rock, ragtime, jamband, bluegrass, classical...one of the most creative artists ever...really adventurous stuff...