...And She Wants to Sit in the Back Row

David Bromberg: "Beware, Brother Beware"
From Reckless Abandon (Fantasy, 1977)

File under dollar bin funk on a record you might not think to cop.

David Bromberg was an East Village folk hippie guitarist who came up jamming with Bob Dylan and the Dead. A former musicology student, he eventually formed a band to execute his many musical whims. His solo records are eclectic to the point of being confusing, ranging from folk and bluegrass to Broadway style rock, to the occasional Irish jig. Right.

After moving to SF and hopping on Fantasy records, Bromberg released Reckless Abandon with a band made up of country, rock, and blues session musicians (including Bon Jovi's current bassist). Most of the record is standard Bromberg fare, but the cut to catch is "Beware, Brother Beware," a cover of a blues rant made popular by Louis Jordan.

In a speaking voice that is so "70's hip white cat" it hurts, Bromberg relates the pitfalls of easy women over a groove that is damn funky for some dudes who went on to play with Kenny G. The song is hilarious, and David ends up getting dragged off stage by a group of enthusiastic women, whose intentions apparently are to marry.

Drop this on your next mixtape to add some humor, a bit of obscurity, and evidence that you're not a raregroove snob. Folks'll ask what it is, I guarantee it.