11-10-2007, 10:47 AM
Capitol Center for the Arts, Concord NH, November 9, 2007
David Bromberg has never been your typical bluesman, or your typical bluegrass artist either for that matter. When I first happened on him in the seventies, it was like "How can this white Jewish boy be a blues singer?" and he's always done it with humor, style and true love for the music. His blues picking is competent but with lots of personality.
One of my friends warned me "he's old and fat", and yes he looks like your dentist or college professor, but he hasn't lost a bit of his style, and while he's still not the best singer in the world, he's developed a rich lower baritone register. The band, all acoustic except for the bass player, was Bromberg mostly on guitar, a very talented mandolin and guitar picker, the bass player and the fiddle player.
Not only did we get Bromberg's unique blues, but also bluegrass that would have been at home on an old time radio show.
On occasion the band was accompanied by the ladies of the opening act, Angel Band. Three sassy women with lots of talent, harmony and attitude, with Bromberg's band as their musical accompaniment. Their set consisted of original songs plus the 70s classic Angel of the Morning.
My personal highlight was Bromberg's rendition of the Jerry Jeff Walker classic "Mr. Bojangles", just Bromberg on acoustic guitar, and the bass player. I had not remembered that Bromberg got his start backing up Jerry Jeff Walker. (And if you don't know who he is, you must start Googling and learn..)
One of my Bromberg Favorites
I Will Never Be Your Fool
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mVhFwztRp8
The very entertaining "Oh Sharon"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N86YBxFhaqA
Jerry Jeff and David on "Mr. Bojangles"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p_seCs6iGw
The Angel Band
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SS64RWXQ_V8
David Bromberg has never been your typical bluesman, or your typical bluegrass artist either for that matter. When I first happened on him in the seventies, it was like "How can this white Jewish boy be a blues singer?" and he's always done it with humor, style and true love for the music. His blues picking is competent but with lots of personality.
One of my friends warned me "he's old and fat", and yes he looks like your dentist or college professor, but he hasn't lost a bit of his style, and while he's still not the best singer in the world, he's developed a rich lower baritone register. The band, all acoustic except for the bass player, was Bromberg mostly on guitar, a very talented mandolin and guitar picker, the bass player and the fiddle player.
Not only did we get Bromberg's unique blues, but also bluegrass that would have been at home on an old time radio show.
On occasion the band was accompanied by the ladies of the opening act, Angel Band. Three sassy women with lots of talent, harmony and attitude, with Bromberg's band as their musical accompaniment. Their set consisted of original songs plus the 70s classic Angel of the Morning.
My personal highlight was Bromberg's rendition of the Jerry Jeff Walker classic "Mr. Bojangles", just Bromberg on acoustic guitar, and the bass player. I had not remembered that Bromberg got his start backing up Jerry Jeff Walker. (And if you don't know who he is, you must start Googling and learn..)
One of my Bromberg Favorites
I Will Never Be Your Fool
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mVhFwztRp8
The very entertaining "Oh Sharon"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N86YBxFhaqA
Jerry Jeff and David on "Mr. Bojangles"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p_seCs6iGw
The Angel Band
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SS64RWXQ_V8
