Fans of the jam band Goose were in for a treat on Saturday night, when they witnessed a special guest appearance by none other than Bruce Hornsby at the Hampton Coliseum in Virginia. The singer-songwriter joined the band on stage for a rendition of his 1986 hit "The Way It Is", which Goose has been covering regularly for the past five years.
The collaboration was captured on a pro-shot video, which Goose posted on their YouTube channel on Sunday. The video shows Hornsby sitting in on a grand piano, trading solos and vocals with Goose keyboardist Peter Anspach, while the rest of the band adds their own flair to the classic tune. The crowd can be heard cheering and singing along throughout the 10-minute performance.
Goose has been on a roll lately, selling out shows across the country and releasing their second studio album Shenanigans Nite Club in June. The band is known for their eclectic mix of rock, funk, folk, and jazz, as well as their improvisational skills and playful stage presence. They have also been paying tribute to some of their musical influences, such as the Grateful Dead, Phish, and of course, Bruce Hornsby.
Hornsby, who has a long history of collaborating with various artists, from the Grateful Dead to Bon Iver, seemed to enjoy the experience as well. He later tweeted: "Had a blast playing with @goosetheband last night in Hampton. Great musicians, great people, great vibe. Thanks for having me, guys!"
The Goose and Hornsby team-up was a highlight of the first night of the Hampton 70 festival, a two-day event celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Hampton Coliseum. The festival also featured performances by Umphrey's McGee, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, and Keller Williams.
[Source: Classic Hits Today]