Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

BROMBERG, David

(b 19 Sep. '45, Philadelphia PA) Ace session man, playing guitar, mandolin, dobro, fiddle. Studied at Columbia U, immersed in Greenwich Village folk scene mid-'60s, friends with Bob Dylan, Tom Paxton, Carly Simon, on whose records he later played, notably Dylan's New Morning, '70. Backed Jerry Jeff Walker four years; solo appearance Isle of Wight festival '70 led to own CBS LPs: David Bromberg '72, Midnight On The Water '75 well received critically; Reckless Abandon '77 showed off eclectic band; Wanted Dead Or Alive reissued '92. Versatility ensured he was in demand; by his own account he played on more than 75 albums by '77. With You Should See The Rest Of The Band '79 he announced that he would quit live work, but played at NYC's Bottom Line once a year: famous friends in the neighbourhood dropped in. How Late'll Ya Play Till '86 on Fantasy was two volumes, one live, one studio, put together by the label. Sideman Serenade '89 on Rounder had cameos by Mac Rebennack, Jorma Kaukonen, David Lindley and others. He signed with Rounder because 'they enabled me to make a record I wanted to make ... they're not gonna make me tour or do anything outrageous'.