I was only vaguely familiar with the name of David Bromberg when I saw this album in a 2nd hand record stall, but the price was right and the funny title and album cover caught my eye. So I listened to a sample on my mobile and decided to add it to my collection. I often look for albums of this period, especially if they have never been re-released: ignored as irrelevant during the onslaught of punk and new wave, they ended up in cutout bins and the like, but they sometimes yield rare and unexpected pleasures. This one actually did briefly become available in CD form: back in '98, it was part of a compilation that also included previous year's Reckless Abandon. From what I gather, Bandit is the less beloved of the two, probably because it is less typical of the artist. Not having any expectations, I enjoyed listening to it but was surprised by the stylistic changes in every turn. Side One (labeled: Mostly Electric) opens with the eponymous rocker. At first, the singer reminded me of Lou Reed in "Rock And Roll" - but then the jovial horns kicked in, and all similarities were gone. This was followed by "If You Don't Want Me Baby", a swampy funk number sung in the style of Dr. John, and then two old-fashioned folk ballads "Queen Ellen" and "Sweet Sweet Sadness". Side 1 closes with a funk blues instrumental called "Peanut Man", sporting great sax and electric guitar. Then Side 2 (a.k.a: Mostly Acoustic) opens with something completely different: a bluegrass medley ("Love Please Come Home / Blackberry Blossom / Dixie Hoedown / June Apple"). I'm not a big fan of that style, but I quite enjoyed the spirited playing, especially the nimble banjo and fiddle solos. "Ugly Hour" is another understated ballad, followed by two live recordings: the upbeat "Travelling Man" in which Bromberg recounts a humorous story with country/cajun backing, and a Dr. John-meets-The Band country funk tune called "Northeast Texas Woman". To be honest, the two sides are not too dissimilar: one has a bit more electric guitar, while the other is a bit more country influenced. In the end, mixing acoustic and electric instruments, studio and live recordings, jazz, country, rock and blues, doesn't work in favor of the album: the sum turns out to be less than its parts. Each track is enjoyable, and the musicians' playing is first class, but unfortunately all the elements don't gel together into something coherent. A worthy purchase, nevertheless.
**** for Bandit In A Bathing Suit, If You Don't Want Me Baby, Love Please Come Home medley
*** for Queen Ellen, Sweet Sweet Sadness, Peanut Man, Ugly Hour, Travelling Man, Northeast Texas Woman
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