THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 16, 1996 TAG: 9605160442
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY CRAIG SHAPIRO, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines
``So nice to be here
with all you good people''
When Bruce Hornsby launched into ``Spider Fingers'' Wednesday night, the new Virginia Beach Amphitheater felt just like home - warm and comfortable.
The song from 1995's ``Hot House'' album not only captured the mood of opening night, it set the tone for Hornsby's two-hour plus set. Even autumn-like temperatures and a steady drizzle didn't dampen the party. As anticipated, it was an ideal match of host and guest.
Hampton Roads has had a front-row seat as Hornsby's career has evolved, so it was only fitting that the Grammy-winning singer/songwriter/keyboardist, and Williamsburg native son christened the region's newest venue.
It was as much a credit to his musicianship as to his easy rapport with the 8,000 or so fans that the sprawling amphitheater took on a clublike intimacy.
The clear, exceptionally focused acoustics and several big screen monitors added to the feel.
Drawing heavily from ``Hot House'' and 1993's ``Harbor Lights,'' but touching on all points of his career, Hornsby played follow the leader with his 6-piece band, taking them on inprovisational tempo-shifting flights of fancy.
``Rainbow's Cadillac,'' dedicated to home-grown basketball star Alonzo Mourning, included a few refrains from ``Sweet Jane.'' ``Along the Western Skyline,'' which rocked to a Bo Diddley beat, led into ``When I Paint My Masterpiece.''
``The End of the Innocence,'' his 1989 collaboration with Don Henley, was faithful to the original version. Hornsby indulged his jazz background on ``Talk of the Town;'' the song jumped and jived with a 1950 Harlem beat.
Hornsby also allowed plenty of room for soloing - both for himself and his bandmates. Saxman Bobby Read and trumpeteer John D'earth were particularly outstanding, coloring the evening with riffs and runs that were funky and soulful.
Hornsby's 18 months with the Grateful Dead were well served, too. Not only did every song run past its album time - the opening ``Spider Fingers'' clocked in at nearly 15 minutes - it was hard not to think of the late Jerry Garcia when he covered ``Sugaree.''
The evening surely whetted more than a few appetites for Hornsby's return engagement next month at the amphitheater with Bob Weir and Mickey Hart on the Furthur Festival. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
CANDICE C. CUSIC/The Virginian-Pilot
From left, Gabriella Howard, Megan Robbins, Sara Howard and Daniella
Howard came prepared Wednesday to enjoy the Bruce Hornsby concert at
the Virginia Beach Amphitheater's premiere. Most of the 8,000 fans
in attendance didn't sweat the rain: They sat dry under the huge
metal canopy through a 2 1/2-hour show that included three encores.
But the crowd quickly thinned when the show ended, and only a
fraction remained for the 10-minute fireworks finale.
For some locals, the opening of the amphitheater was less a reason
for celebrating music than a new source of local pride.
KEYWORDS: VIRGINIA BEACH AMPHITHEATER OPENING by CNB