Bruce Hornsby - lead vocals, piano, accordion, synthesizer; Peter Harris - guitars; George Marinelli - guitars, vocals; Joe Puerta - bass, vocals; John Molo - drums, percussion; Peter Harris - lead guitar
One listen to this astonishing live radio broadcast and it is immediately clear why there was so much excitement and acclaim surrounded the release of Bruce Hornsby and the Range's 1987 debut album, The Way It Is. Not since Elton John and Billy Joel had such a prolific singer/songwriter/pianist burst onto the international music scene with such a brilliant first release.
This recording was made at the intimate Ritz club in New York City and features the original Range line-up, including George Marinelli (later to become the lead guitarist for Bonnie Raitt). Hornsby essentially recreates the atmosphere of his debut album with passionate versions of "Every Little Kiss," "Mandolin Rain," "On The Western Skyline" and "Jacob's Ladder," the last of which he had originally written for Huey Lewis and the News..
The highlight of the show, in many ways, is his remarkable piano solo, which leads directly into his biggest hit, "The Way It Is." Another gem is Hornsby's version of the Grateful Dead classic, "I Know You Rider," which he would perform regularly when he eventually met the Dead and began sitting in with them at their shows.