“I don’t like to repeat myself,’’ says Hornsby, who plays the Berklee Performance Center tomorrow. Indeed, on his new album “Levitate’’ Hornsby swings from funky rock workouts with friends like Eric Clapton to darkly funny tales from the musical that evoke Randy Newman and Brecht. We chatted with Hornsby from his home in Williamsburg, Va.
Q. There are no piano solos on “Levitate.’’ Why?
A. I think it was a subconscious move away from the last two records that I’ve made and not in a negative way. I loved the bluegrass and jazz records, but they’re both really about playing the instrument well. And I thought I’d done that so much and even on all of the other pop or rock records I always found a place for soloing and this time I just felt no need.
Q. Do you think that’s something your longtime fans will notice?
A. I don’t know. Although I get a letter from this one guy every time I put out a record that says, “Why doesn’t it sound like your first two records?’’ But I just disregard that.
Q. Seriously, this guy writes you every time?
A. Yup, he’s still waiting.
Q. Given the way you’ve honored your adventurous spirit, were those early hits a blessing or a curse or both?
A. I’ve just chosen not to deal with it and move on and be about growing, evolving, and assimilating new influences in the music and not being shackled by that notion of, “This is how I became popular, so I need to keep doing that.’’ I think you’re sort of damned if you do, damned if you don’t in that situation. Because if you continue to do the same thing people will say, “Oh, same old thing.’’ And then if you change they’ll say, “Where’s the Bruce Hornsby we like?’’ (Laughs).
Q. You’ve worked with a wide array of folks. What draws you to your collaborators?
A. All these people move me musically so that’s the common thread. And they’re all fairly unbridled in their approach to music, ready to wing it and ready to find the next way of playing something. Obviously that was the case with the Dead, that’s certainly true in any jazz situation you’d get into, and also with Ricky. They’re kindred spirits and I love what they do.
