Genre: Album
Grade: A++
Notable People: David Bromberg
Title: Only Slightly Mad
Review –Yes, Yes, Yes…too good to be true- a new David Bromberg album that is reminiscent of his great Fantasy label albums of the 70s. Like all his great albums- this one is all over the place; from straight out killer Blues to Country classic, Irish Jigs, Folk- rock, and beyond. This was recorded in Levon’s barn in Woodstock with both David’s excellent band and Levon’s band- including the magnificent Larry Campbell on guitar and producing. Jon Sebastian does a turn on harmonica and a bunch of other great players help out. Check out Bryan Mitchell’s keyboards throughout, and the great horn arrangements. .
If you don’t know much about Bromberg- you should. A sideman on many of Dylan’s mid sixties classic albums, he started touring and recording in the 70s with this massive band, with a bunch of great players who could all switch from electric blues instruments to acoustic mountain instruments. His shows were magnificent (Phil- Zachariah’s Red –Eye saloon shows???). In the mid 80s- in the middle of a successful sole career- David dropped out to apprentice as a master luthier and Stradivarius re-furbisher in Chicago and gave us playing entirely. He was brought back to the stage and studio by Jorma Kaukonen in the late 90s and has begun to pick up steam again in recent years. May be one of the five great guitar players of our time, and plays everything else with strings equally well. This is magic. Treat yourself and go out get it.