The solo syncopated piano intro on a grand piano, joined by the back beat of the drums, a short bass riff and then the guitar joins the melody-
Bruce Hornsby
So begins, “Bruce Hornsby’s” classic, “The Way It Is.”
You can be sure that some time during his set on Saturday night, November 14 at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, that Bruce Hornsby will play those first notes and the applause will begin. (For tickets call 847-673-6300 or visit northshorecenter.org)
You can check out recent set lists on bruuuce.com and even listen online at that site to recent concerts. You can probably count on “Mandolin Rain”, “Prairie Dog Town” (played on the dulcimer) and be prepared for anything from the “Goldberg Variations” to “The Star Spangled Banner”.
And, as befitting a one-time member of the Grateful Dead, taping of the concert is permitted.
Hornsby on Accordion with The Dead
Beginning with the Fall 2009 tour, Hornsby’s policy is that audience taping is now allowed from the seats. Therefore, in the spirit of this event and for this event only, the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie is adjusting their policy to allow taping.
Restrictions are as follows: If you will be taping from your seat, please do not obscure the view for those people around/behind you (remember – they want to be able to enjoy the show as well). No board patches are allowed and no equipment may be left in the sound board area. No taping will be allowed at the soundboard.
It has been over 23 years, since “The Way It Is,” became the Number 1 Billboard single in 1986.
Since that time, Hornsby played on more than 100 records over the years; including albums by Bob Dylan, Erik Clapton, Don Henley, the Grateful Dead, Bob Seger, Crosby Stills and Nash, Stevie Nicks, Cowboy Junkies, Squeeze, Liquid Jesus, Bonnie Raitt (piano on the classic “I Can’t Make You Love Me”), Shawn Colvin, Bela Fleck, Clint Black, Ricky Skaggs, Randy Scruggs, Willie Nelson; and end-title songs for two Spike Lee movies, “Clockers” (with Chaka Khan), and “Bamboozled.”
“The Way It Is,” has the power to move us emotionally and musically. The verses reflect the uneasy division between rich and poor, young and old, and black and white. The chorus sounds a message that all generations need to hear. Just as there is a need for change there is resistance to change.
That’s just the way it is
Some things will never change
That’s just the way it is
But don’t you believe them.
Hornsby has been singing this tune for all these years and he innovates with the intro and the vocals. The song is reimagined rather than duplicated.
However, for those of us who go way back, here is the old school version.
