We continue our look back at the music of 50 years ago…..
He learned his licks from the legendary Rev. Gary Davis while attending Columbia University in the 60’s. He played solo shows at the coffee houses of Greenwich Village but also made a name playing behind other folks on guitar, dobro, pedal steel, fiddle and just about every other stringed instrument. He was David Bromberg.
Bromberg was first noticed nationally backing up Jerry Jeff Walker, Richie Havens and Tom Paxton in the 60’s He played on both Self-Portrait & New Morning by Bob Dylan in 1970. Some of the other artists that used his talents include Carly Simon, John Prine, Gordon Lightfoot, Rick Derringer, Willie Nelson, Steve Goodman, Kris Kristofferson, Ringo Starr, Phoebe Snow, The Eagles, Commander Cody, Leon Redbone, Edie Brickell and on and on and on.
In 1972 he released his debut solo album and it is a quirky gem. His voice is a quavering mess, although like Dylan and other folksingers, it seems to fit the material. His playing, of course, is top notch and shines on the instrumental track “The Boggy Road to Milledgeville” and the Texas swing of “Lonesome Dave’s Lovesick Blues #3”.
He cowrote “The Holdup” with George Harrison who plays on the track and gets Dylan to play harmonica on “Sammy’s Song”. He gives us some slide guitar on “Mississippi Blues” and I also like the story telling in the traditonal song “Dehlia”.
Bromberg has played and recorded for years while also owning a running a violin store in Wilmington Delaware. There was an interesting documentary on his life and career made a few years ago.
Like scotch whiskey, his voice is an acquired taste…but everybody can love his picking.
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