David Bromberg - Use Me

One of the most prolific and famous musicians that you have never heard of, David Bromberg has just released his second album in the past four years. Read on to find out what Stormy Lewis has to say about the album.

The album opens with one of two Larry Campbell produced songs featuring Levon Helm on drums. “Tongue” is the only Bromberg penned track on the album, a biting blues rock kiss off that borrows Waylon Jennings' famous tongue line. “Ride On Out A Way,” penned and produced by John Hiatt, is a heartbreaking and gorgeous ballad of life, loss and mortality. “I would love to tell you something baby, but whatever would be the right thing to say I don't know,” the protagonist offers his potential lover in lieu of comfort. The third track is a cover of the old jug-band tune “Bring It With You When You Comes.” In the hand of producer Larry Campbell it becomes a sprightly and sparse blues rocker. Tim O'Brien brings along a stable of bluegrass performers, including frequently collaborator and fiddle player Stuart Duncan for the delicate “Blue is Fallin'.” Nancy Josephson and Duncan provide some exquisite harmonies for this love piece of Appalachian folk. “Woke up new wrinkles on my face and credit cards due all over the place,” he scowls on the opening to “You Don't Wanna Make Me Mad.” The song is a trip through deep Bourbon Street funk courtesy of Dr. John. Keb' Mo offers his own take on the contemporary state of the world's oil addiction via the “The Deep Blue Sea.” Featuring Keb' Mo both as producer and on guitar, the song is has a sinister melody, all snarled vocals and growling guitar riffs. Los Lobos show to produce, “The Long Goodbye,” a song that David Hidalgo and Louie Perez also wrote. The song is a weepy, maudlin and very pretty track that fuses elements of Texas country and Tejano around the loss of family. Widespread Panic bring s jam-rock version of “Old Neighborhood,” written by former member Micheal Houser. While the song has a good lyrical center, Bromberg tend to lose his vocals in the crush of the over done guitar licks. Linda Ronstadt makes a rare appearance producing a rather lackluster rendition of the classic “Its Just a Matter of Time.” Backing vocals, provided by Josephson, Laurie Lewis and Ronstadt shimmer like a much needed beacon of light on the track. For his contribution to the album, Vince Gill selected “Lookout Mountain Girl,” a track he penned with Guy Clark. It is a cute song about a man chasing after a mandolin playing girl, featuring Gill on vocals, mandolin and electric guitar, that sounds not unlike the 1980's works of Merle Haggard. The album closes with a slow and bluesy cover of Bill Withers' “Use Me,” as produced by The Butcher Brothers.

Use Me is a cleverly crafted album that shows a the breadth of David Bromberg's talent while allowing him to make music with a dozen of his friends. Over all, it is a solid collection of songs that make up an entertaining album. As can be expected, the quality of the track depends on the guest and the ease with which they can pull Bromberg into their chosen styles. For the most part, his voice is an easy fit with whatever they decide, yet it lacks just a touch of electricity. The songs build themselves around Bromberg's vocals rather than vice versa, and his voice does far better at conveying emotion than genre. That being said, this is still an enjoyable album that will make a solid addition to any music lovers collection.

Buy: Amazon Digital | Amazon CD

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