Amazon.co.uk Review
Whatever other criticisms may be advanced of Bruce Hornsby, it is clear from the credits of
Halcyon Days, Hornsby's ninth album, that he is utterly unconcerned by his reputation as a purveyor of mercilessly tasteful middle-of-the-road rock for mortgage-paying grown-ups: Sting duets on the Dylanesque opening track "Gonna Be Some Changes Made", Elton John sings on "Dreamland", and lead guitar on three tracks is contributed by Eric Clapton, who also sings on "Candy Mountain Run". In fairness to Hornsby, he does not shy from acknowledging his arrival in middle-age: the Randy Newman pastiche "What The Hell Happened" is a wry and funny reflection on growing old.
Hornsby's previous album, "Big Swing Face", was notable for a relative lack of Hornsby's signature piano. As if to compensate, Halcyon Days, returns the instrument to star billing, especially on "Hooray for Tom" and "Heir Gordon", which hardly feature any other instruments both are sprightly, sarcastic tracks that also evoke Randy Newman. Most of Halcyon Days, however, sees Hornsby's piano and vocals woven into the familiar glossy textures that made his name. "Mirror on the Wall", in particular, has the ring of an inescapable radio hit about it. --Andrew Mueller
CD Description
This is the eighth album from Bruce Hornsby since his debutrelease with The Range in the mid-eighties. 'Halcyon Days' sees Hornsby return to his piano, almost absent from his previous release 2002's 'Big Swing Face', and create an album of mixed genres, from dixieland style jazz to slow, introspective numbers. Bruce is also joined by guest players and vocalists Elton John, Sting, and Eric Clapton.