Album of the Day

Intersections [1985-2005], by Bruce Hornsby (2006): This 4-disc box set is an absolute treasure trove of goodies for Bruce fans. Disc 1 is ironically called "Top 90 Time" and contains the "hits," such as they are. But, in true Bruce fashion, most of the tracks are live or alternate versions from the original releases (the version of "The Way It Is" is solo piano, for instance). Disc 2 contains a lot of solo piano stuff and collaborations, including the Olympic tune "Barcelona Mona" with Branford Marsalis, both a Grateful Dead cover and the Dead (with Bruce) playing "The Valley Road," a high-octane bluegrass version of the same tune, and a ripping "Darlin' Cory" with Ricky Skaggs. Discs 3 and 4 are all "by request," fan and band favorites. Most cuts are live or solo, but some aren't, so here is where the most duplication of prior releases come in. Still, over all, there just so much good stuff here that's it's almost unseemly to complain.