BuzzCuts: New Music
Singer-guitarist David Bromberg makes a comeback with a fine solo set and jazz singer Elana James' solo debut has old-time feeling.
David Bromberg, "Try Me One More Time" (Appleseed Recordings)
David Bromberg — "Try Me One More Time"
Elana James – "Elana James"
"Try Me One More Time" is a delight, and easily David Bromberg's best album since, well, at least 1990, the year of his most recent release.
The roots singer-guitarist, whose resume includes work with Bob Dylan, Kris Kristofferson and John Prine, abandoned his recording career to focus on violin making. Now he's back with a 16-song solo acoustic set of folk and blues full of warmth, wit and hot licks.
The back-porch vibe suggests Bromberg could have recorded the entire album in a single afternoon, but it's the result of a lifetime spent absorbing the catalog of American music. Armed only with his tremulous baritone and mighty Martin D-42, Bromberg brings fresh interpretations to music by Dylan, Robert Johnson, Elizabeth Cotten, Blind Willie McTell, Pete Seeger, the New Lost City Ramblers and Rev. Gary Davis, among others.
As Bromberg says in his entertaining liner notes: "The good tunes, they don't die." It's true, because "Try Me One More Time" is full of life. (Steve Wine)
Elana James, "Elana James" (Snarf Records)
Elana James, formerly the fiddle player with the Hot Club of Cowtown and Bob Dylan's band, strikes out on her own in her self-titled release.
James, who sings as well, performs a mixture of originals and cover songs. The sound is part western-swing, which was the forte of the disbanded Cowtown band, with a little jazz, folk and bluegrass thrown in.
She gives a nod to Bob by covering one of Dylan's lesser known songs, "One More Night."
James has a distinctive, often sultry voice, but she doesn't show much range. The playing is top-notch throughout, however, and should be more than enough to pique the interest of listeners looking for something new and a little different. (Scott Bauer)