Artist: David Bromberg
Album: Big Road
Label: Compass Records
Release Date: 4.17.2020
Anything new from the oft-proclaimed Godfather of Americana must be welcome. Bromberg, a giant of US roots music with a back catalog of countless wonderful releases doesn’t disappoint with his latest offering, Big Road. For half a century, Bromberg has been turning out top-dollar music. For some time he dropped out of sight, immersing himself in violin making and learning about the instruments at the expert level. But while doing this, he always remained a favorite sideman with some of the greatest names in the business, Bob Dylan and late Beatle George Harrison both benefiting from his nuanced input when needed.
The 12 tracks that make up this new release are fairly typical of his output, with flashes of blues, Americana and wit in near-equal measure. But while humor is invariably found in Bromberg’s work, his not inconsiderable songwriting talents also stand out at times. With Big Road, we find Bromberg working with his band, while keeping his guitar picking absolutely central to everything he does. One truly outstanding song in particular, the self-penned “George, Merle and Conway,” is an absolute work of lyrical genius, guaranteed to bring a smile.
The title track opens with a blast of high-energy rocking Americana followed by an inspired run through “Standing in the Need of Prayer,” with its gospel tinge, and the classic “Take This Hammer,” also included in the marvelous mix.
Overall, this is one of those rare, instant classic albums, faultless in conception and delivery from start to finish. This is Bromberg at his deservedly much-lauded best.
—Iain Patience
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