For "Only Slightly Mad," the follow-up to David Bromberg s 2011 "Use Me," on which he enlisted John Hiatt, Dr. John, Levon Helm, Los Lobos and other to write or select material, produce and/or perform with him, David chose to combine his own touring band with former members of the late Levon Helm s recording and road band for two weeks of recording sessions at Helm s Woodstock studio.. In the producer s chair and performing as part of the ensemble was three-time Grammy-winning producer and guitarist Larry Campbell (for Levon Helm, and, like David, a sometime Dylan sideman). Special guests John Sebastian and John McEuen also dropped by for distinctive cameos on harmonica and banjo, respectively.
The result is a thorough display of Grammy nominee Bromberg s many talents as a sensitive, masterful guitarist, mandolinist and vocalist, convincing song interpreter, songwriter, bandleader and arranger. There are enough musical roots on display on "Only Slightly Mad" to support a giant redwood blues, bluegrass, gospel, folk, country, Irish fiddle tunes, English drinking songs, even a cappella, all happily coexist, as they did on his much-loved albums of the 70s and 80s.