If you couldn't see Bruce Hornsby's fingers as they danced across the keyboard of his Steinway Wednesday night, you missed one of the most engaging parts of his Orpheum Theatre debut.

Curled, splayed and stretched, they were fascinating to watch -- far better than most classical pianists who have played the same place. But with Hornsby, the piano artistry was just part of the package.

The mash-ups, the teasing, the challenges and the agitations are what make a Hornsby outing so unpredictable and, for many, fun.

Wednesday, he talked about staying at the Marina Inn. He didn't get a chance to see much of Sioux City, but he did cross the wide Missouri -- which introduced a quick version of "Shenandoah." It morphed into "Across the River" and a full-out introduction to the Noisemakers, his current touring mates.

With the full sound (of guitars, drum, keyboards and more horns than you could imagine), Hornsby and company are able to play just about any type of music -- and that's exactly what they did.

When an audience member requested "The Way it Is," he complied -- but first with a 12-tone version. Then, the full magilla emerged and it was clear Hornsby was sending a message: Yes, that's part of me. But look at it in a new way.

The band played several songs from the new CD including "Levitate," a number found on a Kobe Bryant film directed by Spike Lee. It brought out the Schroeder in Hornsby, letting those nimble fingers race across the keyboard. It's an interesting interpretation of Bryant's basketball skills and a nice stretch for its composer.

Still, some of the new songs from "Levitate" take some getting used to. "Black Rats of London" was another request, but it seemed out of context. Hornsby's writing a Broadway musical, which could explain some of the rather dense lyrics about things like bacterial strains.

More accessible? "Prairie Dog Town," a fun piece that let the Noisemakers shine, too. It had some great rhyme schemes and the kind of wit that has highlighted much of his later work.

Hornsby hauled out the dulcimer and the accordian, indulged the audience's penchant for hits and sang a stirring version of "Mandolin Rain" that showed some of the higher notes aren't always accessible. His "Mirror on the Wall" was a better fit.

But then, how can you fault a guy who manages to play piano, sing and chew gum at the same time?

He's an eclectic musician, to be sure. But that's what makes his concerts so interesting.

Like a jam session, they have the promise of delivering plenty or nothing. Thankfully, Hornsby's not an all-or-nothing guy. Wednesday, concertgoers learned that's just the way he is.