Robben Ford Discussion

[roadwarriorfortheblues]

I saw a rare performance by the David Bromberg Quartet last night at Skippers.

Bromberg may have stopped touring, writing and playing guitar 20 years ago, but he is back with a fresh appreciation of the Blues and a wholehearted passion to perform again. It was a huge crowd -- packed under the big oaks -- many, many fans who couldn't even remember how long it's been since they've last seen him last. Bromberg played with 2 members of his orginal band -- Jeff Wisor on fiddle and mandolin and Butch Amiot on bass. Bromberg introduced the new guy, Mitch Corbin, as the best guitar player on stage, but i'd say he was just as talented on mandolin and fiddle !

The Quartet performed a variety of music ranging from bluegrass to celtic, pop and Blues. Bromberg's playing and vocals were fabulous. On guitar, he played flatpick, fingerstyle and bottleneck. He also played fiddle on several tunes. The format was spontaneous and combustable as the three multi-instrumentalists freely reached for whatever instrument struck their fancy at moment's notice.

Bromberg was charming and funny and very connected with the audience. Whether he played Blues or bluegrass, guitar or fiddle, the audience was right there hanging onto every note and every word.

Bromberg is also writing music again and his new Blues songs are wonderful ! "I'll Take You Back" is a saucy Blues ballad with an antagonizing twist ("... when money grows on trees"). He also performed a beautiful new song about a man who longs to become his lover's new flame, rather than the familiar, predictable lover he has become. Bromberg is great at taking stuff that's uncomfortable and difficult to talk about and turning it into a clever song.

There is an interesting article reprinted from Dirty Linen magazine on David Bromberg's web site (http://www.davidbromberg.net/Bromberg_Dirty_Linen.pdf)

Bromberg will be touring throughout the East and Midwest over the next several months. He has a New Year's Eve gig at the Boulder (CO) Theater. If you enjoy Blues with a heartpumping blast of mandolin and violin, you'll enjoy this show.
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Travelling by train of thought

[JohnnyZ]

Very nice post, RW! Thanks for taking the time...

[PaulG]

Thanks RW. It's great to hear DB is touring again. Just this year I was surprised to find his website, after unsuccessfully trying to track him down.
I last saw him in the early 70s when he toured with a horn section. I guess it's our turn (West coasters) to be jeolous. Maybe there is hope for a new cd? What a great musician and sense of humor.

Also, 'I'll take you back' is a great song. "When James Brown ain't funky"
I know that from Rick Estrin/Little Charlie and the NItecats.

Thanks for the nice review. Wish I had been there.

[roadwarriorfortheblues]