Sideman Serenade is an album by the American musician David Bromberg, released in 1989.[2][3] It was his first studio album in almost 10 years; he would not release another studio album until 2007.[4][5] Bromberg had spent much of the 1980s working as a violin maker, after legal difficulties with his previous label, Fantasy Records.[6][7]
| Sideman Serenade | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1989 | |||
| Label | Rounder[1] | |||
| David Bromberg chronology | ||||
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Production edit
The album was recorded primarily in Chicago. It appeared three years after Bromberg signed with Rounder Records, due to illness, the deaths of Bromberg's parents, and the rescheduling of recording sessions.[8] Jorma Kaukonen, the Jessy Dixon Singers, and Dr. John were among the many guest musicians—and working sidemen—who appeared on the album.[9][10] A tribute album to backing musicians, Sideman Serenade is divided into "city songs" and "country songs".[11][12] "Sideman's Samba" was written during a Brazilian vacation Bromberg took in the late 1960s.[13]
Critical reception edit
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [14] |
| Chicago Tribune | [15] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [16] |
| MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide | [1] |
The Chicago Tribune wrote that "listeners who can get past Bromberg's less than virtuosic voice will be rewarded with excellent offbeat performances and memorable material."[15] The San Diego Union-Tribune called the album "full of the same kind of spirited, melodic blues, with humor, that made him one of the stalwarts of the '70s folk scene."[17]
AllMusic wrote that "the only problem with this session was Bromberg, for all his knowledge and zeal, just wasn't that convincing or gripping a vocalist."[14]
Track listing edit
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Mobile Lil the Dancing Witch" | |
| 2. | "Testify" | |
| 3. | "Sideman's Samba" | |
| 4. | "Midnight Hour Blues" | |
| 5. | "Top of the Slide" | |
| 6. | "Save the Last Dance for Me" | |
| 7. | "Watch Baby Fall" | |
| 8. | "Long Tall Mama" | |
| 9. | "Come All You Fair and Tender Maidens" |
References edit
- ^ a b MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 159.
- ^ Conlow, Paul (25 Aug 1989). "Music for the Folk". Features Weekend. The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 20.
- ^ McLennan, Scott (4 Nov 2007). "'I have no deep plan,' insists David Bromberg". Telegram & Gazette. p. G1.
- ^ Morse, Steve (17 Nov 1989). "David Bromberg's Return". Arts and Film. The Boston Globe. p. 92.
- ^ "David Bromberg: An Odd Approach to Folk". NPR.
- ^ Hurst, Jack (7 Dec 1989). "On the record". Chicago Tribune. p. 15A.
- ^ "Bromberg picks best backers". Calgary Herald. Knight-Ridder. 22 Feb 1990. p. H4.
- ^ Dold, R Bruce (12 Oct 1989). "Roads less traveled: Guitarist David Bromberg likes staying close to home". Tempo. Chicago Tribune. p. 3.
- ^ Heim, Chris (20 Oct 1989). "New tunes". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. 80.
- ^ Goff, Paula H. (11 Jan 1991). "In-Demand Singer-Songwriter David Bromberg Is Ready to String 'em Along at the Hearth". The Morning Call. p. D1.
- ^ Lustig, Jay (February 17, 1991). "Bromberg May Pack in Road Trips After Latest Reunion Tour". News. The Star-Ledger.
- ^ Point, Michael (2 Nov 1989). "Bromberg doubles as country crooner, city slicker in wide-ranging Serenade'". Austin American-Statesman. p. G3.
- ^ Racine, Marty (November 7, 1989). "Touring gets old for David Bromberg". Houston. Houston Chronicle. p. 1.
- ^ a b "Sideman Serenade". AllMusic.
- ^ a b Hurst, Jack (21 Dec 1989). "Rave recordings". Tempo. Chicago Tribune. p. 13.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 1. MUZE. pp. 852–853.
- ^ Trageser, Jim (February 7, 1990). "New album signals that '70s folk stalwart Bromberg is back". The San Diego Union-Tribune. p. D8.