Wanted Dead or Alive
David Bromberg · 1974
42 min · 9 tracks · blues
An eclectic blend of blues and bluegrass, rich with storytelling and masterful musicianship that draws listeners into its narrative world.
Top tracks — play these first
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Someone Else's Blues — This track showcases Bromberg's deep emotional vocal delivery paired with intricate guitar work, highlighting his unique ability to blend personal storytelling with blues traditions.
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Send Me to the 'Lectric Chair — Bromberg's rendition transforms this classic blues standard into a powerful narrative experience, emphasizing both humor and despair while showcasing his lyrical prowess.
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Kansas City — In this lively cover, Bromberg infuses traditional elements with a fresh energy, demonstrating his skill at reinterpreting well-known songs within his own musical style.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends blues and bluegrass with strong musicianship, though it lacks a cohesive narrative arc.
What we noticed
- Several tracks feature intricate instrumental arrangements, blending blues with bluegrass elements, particularly in the use of banjo and fiddle.
- Bromberg's vocal delivery varies from conversational to passionate, enhancing the storytelling aspect of the lyrics across different tracks.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo groove throughout
- soulful storytelling with warmth
- for casual gatherings
- intricate guitar work appreciation
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy excitement
- prefer shorter standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in January 1974, 'Wanted Dead or Alive' was David Bromberg's third album, following his critically acclaimed self-titled debut and the subsequent 'Midnight on the Water.' At this point in his career, Bromberg was emerging as a respected figure in the folk and blues scenes, known for his virtuosic guitar skills and engaging songwriting.
- Stylistic neighbors
- John Prine· Jerry Jeff Walker· Chris Smither
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Holdup 3:04
- 2 Someone Else's Blues 8:00
- 3 Danger Man 3:06
- 4 The Main Street Moan 5:14
- 5 Send Me to the 'Lectric Chair 4:54
- 6 Statesboro Blues / Church Bell Blues 5:10
- 7 Wallflower 2:58
- 8 Kansas City 3:58
- 9 The New Lee Highway Blues 5:38
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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