David Bromberg - The New Lee Highway Blues

[@msjenjenp]

This is the absolute BEST road trip song there ever was. I could listen to it a thousand times in a row.

[@guenthergoller815]

Not in a row, but yes 1000 times I listened to this song allready and 1000 more lay ahead. ;-)

[@bitfenix90]

It's a TERRIBLE ROAD SONG. I don't care how fast my car goes, it's NEVER FAST ENOUGH! Cops, unfortunately, disagree... sigh...

[@stephendavis2196]

One of the greatest musician songwriters of our time. What is so sad is hardly anyone knows of him. Typical.

[@jimcarlile6679]

I know of him, got six of his CDs.

[@rickroybal7022]

stephen davis. I first saw David Bromberg at The Rainbow Music Hall in Denver back in 1977. Tkts were a cheap $10.00. I bought 12 tkts and took some friends to see an amazing show.

[@timgrady3529]

Funny story: I've been a Bromberg fan forever - since the early 70s - but like you I assumed he was mostly unhear of. Many years ago, I was visiting family in Tampa and he was appearing at a little dive restaurant/bar called Skipper's Smokehouse, near Univ. South Florida and I decided to go see him. The place was packed with a few hundred people, but it being a Friday night and a college town in the cultural desert of Florida (I used to live there), and with cheap Red Stripe beers, I still assumed nobody there knew who he was. So he starts into "I Like To Sleep Late In The Morning". He gets to the chorus for the first time, and I swear every last person in the bar sang along.

[@ultimateazhole]

I'd heard of him through the 70's and in the 80's but only heard one or two tunes, till he came back in the business, then I made the effort to see him live, great show, w John Mceuen as a guest, great jokes and music :D Great entertainer

[@janmayson8174]

I was listening to him in the early 70's in Minneapolis.

[@robosueu]

If you have never seen David live you are missing one of the best nights of music and entertainment you could ever have

[@alycatpublishing1164]

I've attended the Philadelphia Folk Festival 4 times and it was mainly to see Bromberg. When this song came on the crowd went crazy!

[@themickhugh]

Saw him in the 70s in Poughkeepsie NY, was hooked! What a show.

[@mygoddess1]

Agreed 👍 I was fortunate to see him in the South West 😀 3XS totally wicked!

[@MSYNGWIE12]

I believe you! I bought this album used, not really "into" such a bluegrass tinged folk kind of sound but I wore it out! Funny songs for the blue days, blues tunes with David's unique twist- I'm not a musician nor a music critic so I don't possess the " right" words- I just know extraordinary music when I hear it. My turntable broke. LPS sit in crates not forgotten but not enjoyed unless I had "bread" to replace it with a CD- damn tapes invariably stretched or tangled, whatever! John Hartford brought me here- forgive me David for forgetting all the joy this album gave me- my memory, letting life's turmoil take over- maybe I can afford that CD! Namaste

[@davidstick5497]

There is no such thing as a bad Bromberg show. Period!

[@billyonthewheels75]

Still a gem of a track after all this time. Had the great pleasure of seeing him and the band live!

[@robertmcnorth8317]

I wonder how many of the musicians that worked on this song/album are still with us>

[@janeewalker]

I first saw David Bromberg at The Boarding House on Bush St. In San Francisco. John Prine opened for him !! 1972. David would always end with this song. There must have been 100 musicians on stage. I could have listened all nigjt !!

[@janeewalker]

One more piece of cardboard pie.....

[@davidknowlton4028]

Why isn't this guy in the rock and roll hall of fame?

[@richintalent]

Because he doesn't play rock and roll

[@katherinechrist-janer5636]

​@@richintalent scroll through the list of inductees sometime. There are plenty that aren't exclusively rock and roll artists. Rock & roll and the genres that came after have their roots in folk, blues, and jazz which is why the field can and should be very diverse. 🤘

[@RalphCramden-tm2gi]

@@richintalent Not true. The Hall is a joke.

[@jameskrahwinkel5051]

I agree!¡!

[@patricecatanio901]

A national treasure is what he is!!!

[@yru435]

I know the road took a lot from the man, but I am very grateful that I had the opportunity to experience his concerts in person. Thanks David.

[@bitfenix90]

Those were heady years... John Hartford would criss-cross tour dates and sit in with each other. I saw him with Steve Goodman sitting in on one of David's shows... then the next year, the favor was returned. Jerry Jeff Walker... Jimmy Buffett... and several John Prine as guest or vice versa's. Those late '70s and early '80s were full of those chances. Darn... we never did see Madonna, though-!! Wow - what a loss, eh?!! ha ha

[@mattcarsnmusic]

Lol, I'm only 23 years old but when I was 15 I bought this same album because I loved the album cover it was on 33 vinyl, bought that and a 1970 Panasonic all in one 8 track/turntable/Line In/AM/FM unit for like $10 at a local Salvation Army in Riverhead, NY. Needless to say that is the reason I'm probably the only person my age who listens to David Bromberg, I love him and his work, great stuff and Nice memories :)

[@91117182035]

Good taste kid!

[@robertmcnorth8317]

Nice job, I first heard David on the radio in Philly and went to look for the album and was pleasantly surprised by the cover.

[@donjerue]

He still brings it, saw him for the first time in 40 years last week and I now am asking myself WTF was I thinking? Go see him B4 it's too late

[@paulorolefreitas]

Interestingly I'm 53 and met him today by reading his comment on this page, He is undoubtedly very good

[@tishierkrisis]

I learnt of David when I was 16. When he came to Brussels (I live in Belgium) in 1978 I went to see him, I was 18 then.

[@DanoMSP]

First time I saw David was 1975 with Bonnie Raitt and Steve Goodman. The last time was a few years ago with Jorma in a small venue about 10 feet away. Whenever my Pandora plays him I always smile...

[@balderdash7805]

I started listening to Bromberg....so long ago. Early 70s and that lead to listening to Jerry Jeff Walker. Two artists I enjoyed through out that time period and still do.

[@mrjaniemac7005]

'70, saw him live, first time. many times thereafter

[@timothybensel7440]

I saw Bromberg on my birthday Feb 9, I think 1978 or 79. He was playing a song with fiddles and the power went out. He calmed everyone down and came out in the aisle about 20 rows with 2 other guys with fiddles. The emergency lights were on and he was able to see what he was doing. They played like crazy for 10 minutes. They were still playing and the power came back on and they all ran back up on the stage and finished the song. If they planned this, it couldn't have been better.

[@bernardpoepperling2723]

College student late 70's. It was bromberg and blake all the time! Great, great, great!

[@lmlm5821]

His music is epic. Turn the next generation onto this man.

[@lonetoad]

Once upon a time there were devices called 8 tracks, and I had many in my VW camper van. I had all of David Bromberg's early ones, and they were played often during my many great road trips. This particular song always found my foot a just a little heavier on the gas pedal towards the end, at the fiddle breakdown, bouncing in our seats and big ole' smiles on our faces as we rolled on down the road. Always. Thanks, David Bromberg for some mighty fine memories.

[@Brvnkaerv]

+lonetoad  My late brother who was an audiophile gave me an 8 track recorder with stereo meters. I wish I had all those tapes, and that machine that we let go over all the years. I am not sure if I need to build a fifth music collection.

[@lonetoad7562]

Handy Capo Whst an excellent collection that was. Real fine equipment. Ah heck, there's always a way to find a place and the time for music. C'mon now!

[@rudyvonzippa956]

I am pushing 70 and have just found a sealed 8 track of this yes sealed 8 track

[@Jte336]

Thanks for uploading. Your video playlist is great!

[@johncimino591]

Saw DB at a concert at Albany State University way back in 1972! Thanks DB for the good times!

[@gregghorner9107]

blues, bluegrass and a little Yiddish thrown in!

[@kevincaldwell9202]

My dear friend Brian (RIP) & I ran away and left our hometown in the 70's...we used to sing this song to ourselves while on the road....on the way to eventually join a traveling Carnival. This song became our life. Saw David MANY times over the years & always had an exciting nite

[@OL55CADDY]

He's still touring & still one of the best live shows out there!

[@bitfenix90]

And here, in 2024, he's got performance dates, too.

[@OL55CADDY]

I had a summer job in 1974 and 1975 working for a moving company. They gave us a truck & put us on the road- From New Jersey we travelled to Michigan, Oklahoma, Maine, Georgia and all points in between. Me and a fellow driver-we were both 22 years old. This song captured those hauls for us better than anything out at the time (with the possible exception of "Radar Love" by Golden Earring)- Who can ever forget "eating cardboard pie" or fighting over nothing!! A dashboard filled with garbage!

[@bitfenix90]

Great album - an essential. What a great one to intro folks to David Bromberg. And this is The Song IF the audience can hang onto the wild ride. Three fiddles a-goin'...

[@jmh384]

anyone from nyc area remembers the bottom line. great club where record companies launched up and comers like bruce. but the anniversary show every year was david. they knew great players.my first was when i was 16 in 1975. with the chieftains damn that was good. saw many others there ty david

[@eightfoldconnor]

Must have seen you there.

[@64sidejack]

from the Island, saw him at the calderone

[@Mark8395217]

...and then we'd ride. Boy do I remember this. Had a buddy who thought mounting his turntable to the wall was a good thing... until this song came along. Starting slowly, winding up to the wildest dance party ever known to man (listening to hillbilly music that is). Then the turntable started skipping... bodies slamming against the wall, floor, each other... and then the turntable hit the floor. The following 5 seconds were absolutely silent, followed by the loudest howling laughter you've ever heard. David has cemented a couple of memories in my mind that will last a lifetime.

[@deirdrea100]

oh yea, i know this, record player was flat, but by the time we got crazy it sure was skipping, then the law came, lolol he loved it let us finish and he joined in amazing memory i forgot. thanks for the memory

[@XykuJoxa]

Hell yeah this is what's up!!!! Those finger picking skills, everybody tuning in, this is fuckin' A!

[@skywize]

This is one of my favorite songs. The lyrics are funny as hell, and the bit at the end is awesome!

[@patrickhunziker4336]

He is the best, this song might be my favorite.

[@jamesforti5197]

this Bromberg gem turned me on to his eclectic music in '78...the PBS special on him I 2014 was outstanding...

[@donheenan1571]

It must have been about the same time that I saw him and Jerry Jeff Walker at the Shaboo Inn somewhere in CT. Dynamite show...Pissin in the Wind and this gem..Yahooo!

[@izzonj]

I've seen him 6 times over the years, from his old big band to solo, playing his novelty stories to blue grass to blue to whatever. He probably never played the same song in any two performances. The only thing common was one incredibly talented musician devoted to authentic American music. Each show was thoroughly enjoyable and memorable in its own right.

[@acepac66]

I had the pleasure of seeing Dave Bromberg at the Fox Hollow Folk Festival in 1970. He was the first guitarist anyone had ever heard of to play a dobro guitar off the shoulder, and he didn't slacken the strings like a lot of those who came after did.

[@mervrun]

I saw him years ago( 30 or so) a couple of times including at montclair state unit......totally awesome. This song and Yankees Revenge are timeless classic to a musician who just didn't get the recognition he so rightly deserved. Go David.....

[@willarity6927]

Thanks for getting me through the Navy, David. If Brad were here he'd say the same, but that boy has moved on.

[@undercoverjoe1]

Bought this when it came out, love me some Bromberg, and what a back up band.

[@budfoucher2704]

Back-up band one of the best. I think David only lives in Westchester Co. Why don't we see him more often?

[@gailwilliams2678]

He lives in Wilmington, Delaware. Isn't Westchester County in New York (this is a California girl asking)?

[@WhocaresWhy44]

My Father saw me listening to this in 79. In Feb 79 I went to the Texas oilfield then. My father warned me that if I didn't get a new job then out. Carter was worse than Joe. So after Wanda Weave laid off I flogged my 73 VW Super Beetle. It was cold. I watched the illustrated man with Steiger and his character washed up in a stream. The location was NorCal. Worked, Hitchhiker. Then hit the jackpot. Got a job in 80 Offshore Oilfield. Flew home on a 727. I was the only one on the plane. The stews had me come to first class. Why? Duh? DB Cooper. That light bulb came on six months later. Great Album.

[@arthomer6535]

Such a clean player. Many memories.

[@pwatts8846]

I used to do square dancing at school 50 years ago. The music was pretty much identical to the last 2 1/2 minutes of this song. What fun it was. This was in Australia mind you, so it was a bit of a strange anomaly to be doing a folk dance from a foreign country.

[@BBKoVI]

The last 2 1/2 minutes is the original Lee Highway Blues!

[@WhocaresWhy44]

I 70, Salina Ks. Was hitching east. Saw a dude I worked with ar the Sun pipe yard in Midland TX. Hot as hell. Summer 79. Had been at 7000ft elevation the previous day. My buddy from Midland went to town. A car drove buy. A beer can that was chucked out hit me square in the noggin. I jumped up to shake my fist. Then I saw the rubber band with a 20 pinned to the can. First rest stop in KS, "Don't take a ride with death!: KHP. Yup.

[@janicecohen3133]

I listened to this album and tape so much! One of my faves and I actually bought a second copy of the vinyl in case I wore the first one out.

[@robertmcnorth8317]

Ditto

[@FrostGamingOfficiel]

All through Northern Oregon Always at my side Sleeping in those narrow beds And then we'd ride Drinking in those dirty bars Keeping out of sight Sleeping in that cold back seat And then we'd ride You know that God damned road seemed like it went forever Exhaust fumes made our eyes turn red and swell With our clothes stuck to the seat and to our bodies It was a stinking summer trip to southern hell Eating carbonated crap Churning up inside Gas soaked service station johns And then we'd ride (fiddles solo) Silence in the front seat Trying not to start to fight Quiet as and all silent And then we'd ride You know you can grow to hate these...little one horse towns With the seamy.. Movie houses all closed down No where to go from here but up and down the road And nothing over there but the same goddamned town Another sour coffe cup One more piece of cardboard pie Buy a tooth brush and a change of clothes And then we'd ride

[@Brewster38c]

...and then that incredible fiddle riff.....

[@donjerue]

He played this one last week in....Portland OR (which is in Northern Oregon) Great stuff!

[@jonwoll6586]

the younger gen diserves to hear this stuff!!

[@Brvnkaerv]

God send me back to Canada where I first heard this song, with the same volume.

[@mudhens4evertoledo201]

This song has been on every mix tape and playlist I’ve ever had!

[@kennagelberg6957]

Go visit him at his violin shop in downtown Wilmington, Delaware. That's where he hangs out when he's not touring. He's a great musician and a great guy! Best thing ever out if Philadelphia.

[@RalphCramden-tm2gi]

Wonderful song that most people have never heard of. Great story telling that only Bromberg can deliver in his raspy sarcastic voice. The instruments in this song blows me away. Especially the Banjo and Fiddle. A unique Bluegrass Shit Kicking and Ass kicking song. This song is in my top 10.

[@rhyno5289]

My old man was in his early 20’s at the time and was going 150km down an empty highway one day listening to this song and wasn’t aware that there was a cop casing after him 🤣🤣

[@tittat5989]

Me and my dad were on a long road trip to Yosemite and we didn’t arrive at our motel until midnight, and this song came on just as we were driving into the valley. It was perfect

[@maryruthfarrell2158]

I've seen him in Tucson twice over the last 5 yrs. Great artist/performer. Hope he returns soon!

[@playsindirtnapsalot.299]

hahha, makes me glad I started hitchhiking & traveling when I was just 15, saw so much of this country b4 it was SO CROWDED everywhere! The Rockies, Key West, hiked to bottom of Grand Canyon 1976, b4 waiting lines. These songs give me wanderlust still and I've still got time!

[@jamesdavison8709]

I’ve been listening to his songs since 1972.

[@ronaldciras3916]

I want this song played for me at the reception after my funeral!

[@dawnstewart3046]

me too!

[@Ralphieboy]

This was our soundtrack for camping/hiking trips in Southeast Arizona.

[@ROXYVOAKES]

i am over thirty and i have had this song in my head since i was a little kid :) thanks for the mmries mom & dad

[@ScarlettFire341]

I'm over 60 and have this song in my head for over 40 years - Thx Chaff

[@robertmcnorth8317]

Dave us just about to turn 75 years old, Happy Birthday David!

[@betzdoodle43]

I saw David Bromberg at the Frederick County MD craft show and a great little club in DC! He still sounds wonderful 30+ years later! :)

[@susanhawkes2519]

Thank you. For decades I've worried that I dreamed that show. Also saw him in a concert hall in D.C., not DAR, the other one. And on the last night of the Goin'Fishin' festival in Glen Rock PA.

[@willschoenstein9650]

Saw David in Tucson early 80's , Great Live Musician 🎸🎶

[@gman1840]

A definite GREAT blast from the past. Thanks!

[@playsindirtnapsalot.299]

Gives me wanderlust...glad I started hitchhiking & traveling this country when I was just 14, Rocky Mts, Key west, hike to bottom Grand Canyon 1976, Laconia 1977, Sturgis 1990, all b4 EVERYTHING was crowded beyond belief! Time to get out there again......still lots to see........ His song 'Sharon' reminds me of the late 70's when the country fairs in Maine still had girly shows in tents and gypsies fortune telling, b4 everything went PC, cleaned up, sanitized, no beer tents, and BORING AS HELL! All 'family friendly', 'upscale' boring bullshit at 4 times the price and all the same shit from coast to coast. Used to be areas were more distinctive and it was GREAT!

[@rjpbills]

On the road with best buddy, the memories...

[@RSTD353]

Moonbeam Lounge Norton Ma. I think late 70's early 80's spent the night in jail after. One hell of a night!!!!

[@teresakarlovich7363]

Love his work

[@joshuarosenblatt]

love Bromberg - wore out Wanted Dead or Alive cassette TWICE!

[@georgemcphee1572]

This album brings me back to high school, taking road trips to my cabin upstate ny. Classic

[@049Mikey]

Love that little taste of Benny Goodman's Caravan at 5:25

[@johnsilva9139]

Yes. I'm glad someone else noticed that.

[@leoross5777]

reminds me of our road trips in the 80's from LA to berkeley buying sheets of blotter, later,all of us tripping balls in san fran, and ALL 6 in car seeing the same half man/half deer... strange days, going to the north beach bar to see johnny nitro/doorslammers. dancing with fat chicks til closing.

[@JCPJCPJCP]

Dave Bromberg is a master.

[@ScarlettFire341]

My Dear deceased Best Friend shared this killer song with me 40+ years ago - so sweet to bring back those days ! (~);}

[@54taqiyya]

ad this lp, awesome. thanks fred.

[@justingreene6805]

Such an iconic tune

[@davek2687]

Homer: They didn't start chasing us until you turned on that getaway music!

[@stepno]

probably heard David in the seventies at the same Shaboo Inn (Willimantic/Mansfield Conn.) someone else mentioned, after hearing him as accompanist on records by the likes of Patrick Sky and Rosalie Sorrels. A wizard and an inspiration. Wonder if he ever shared a stage with Highwoods String Band (look for their great record of Lee Highway. )

[@captfishsticks]

Awesome and unbelievable

[@jenniferwood144]

This song ...oh if I could tell the stories...this song is the best well the best fucking song of all time

[@MSYNGWIE12]

I wore this L.P. out I wonder if I can afford the CD- another seminal "folkie" from "those" days- radio needs to get a life as they say...you shouldn't have to live in Nashville or Wheeling West Virginia, etc to hear this kind of music, by a musician of high calibre! Thanks David. Namaste

[@hapster54]

I never thought twice about the historic relevance of living on Lee Highway (or at least our little piece of it) in Northern Virginia or that the Lee Highway was more than the route that criss-crossed I-66 between the nation's capital in DC to the Civil War town of Warrenton, VA. But the Lee Highway stretches from New York to San Francisco using the US highway system. "You know you can grow to hate these…little one horse towns With the seamy..movie houses all closed down" Sadly, this is all too common in the country due to so many factors; industry consolidation, interstate highway system, politics, and off-shore production to name a few. But, for some, there is a longing for getting back to the simple life. David talks about how it used to be when the Lee Highway was the major southern thoroughfare between east and west. Most won't ever know about that time or how it used to be except in songs like these.

[@nicholasizzo9868]

I didn't know that either, and I spent 12 years living within a couple of miles of Lee Highway in DC, Arlington and Charlottesville.

[@andrewmair7371]

Hap Parsons Thanks for that. I’m Australian, been a huge Bromberg fan since the 70s, didn’t know the Lee Highway was an actual, well, highway...very interesting to read that little slice of history. (

[@ronaldciras3916]

I saw him live in Auburn , N.Y. and he and his group were fantastic!

[@dianematchick8754]

this brings me back to capri lounge in hillsboro nj 1977.

[@jefferysmith62]

Saw him once the Rooftop Skyroom south of Buffalo in 81 or 82. Love him music since

[@MSYNGWIE12]

A special THANK YOU TO FRED...I HEAR YOU, MAN. Radio made itself "redundant" by playing too much commercial " but you can't see the video" muzak- I can't express what I want to say- thank you Fred- maybe you understand what I mean- music videos, MTV, - has it's place but when FM - once the commercial free, " underground" music's home and by underground sadly I can no longer use the term for music not suitable for pop airwaves- too long, ( exception being Dylan's, Like a Rolling Stone) X rated lyrics, ie anti-Vietnam war songs- dangerous men like Phil Ochs- I have a migraine which makes my brain fog foggier than that "floating about" in Tom Waits' wonderful song, especially when sung by the iconic, Marianne Faithfull, Strange Weather- so sad several generations have been "robbed" sort of, of part of their culture- genres of music which went into Rock and Rap- I am one of those people who really DOES go from a Medieval Passion Play to Marianne, The Beatles to Bach- that old catch phrase attributed to John Lennon- I can't recall. Israel! Wow! That is cool! I know who Gene Krupa is! I can't wait to put headphones on and "just dig this channel" - in the proverbial sea of conformity, a ship on the horizon- oi vey this is getting worse- THANK YOU FOR BEING A TRUE MUSIC LOVER- if you only listen to one genre children and only several entertainers in it, you aren't a genuine music lover- your loss. Namaste Mr. Dobbs. Wish I had your income so I could "splurge" on a rare Marianne Faithfull E.P- oh well...Namaste from Canada ( are you SERIOUS, SIRIUS?!) -

[@tobypuente8841]

who doesn't want to play with bromberg?! this album has 4 members of the Grateful Dead, GEORGE HARRISON, andy statman, so more greats...thankfully, david comes to the west coast every so often, but i hear he's done touring...again

[@gregghorner9107]

I bought this album because I loved the cover! This song is my fave by far.

[@donjerue]

Don't know if it's been mentioned, but the title of this GREAT (one of my all time favs) Album is a Joke...One side he has the (Grateful) Dead as his backing band, and the other side is aLIVE! Ever the jokster, he's a treasure! Go see him live, you won't regret it!

[@mc111656]

Great stuff. Love the bitter reality and anger that drives this classic Bomberg. Had a beer with him in Omaha once at the Saddle Creek Bar.

[@strommy8]

going tonight, SMAC , the place to see a show!

[@timelbert3573]

I player this for my daughter she said my god that is beautiful

[@andreapizzoli4462]

Fantastic....

[@warnie1aus]

Just about my favourite song ever, I would never dance in public by fk the hips get a work out with this.

[@artwilmeth6944]

David sat at our booth at "The Last Resort" Athens Ga. and had drinks with us . I used to have this album on vinyl

[@sandrafilipovic8925]

fantastic

[@steveanderson7985]

still have the lp would load it up if I could

[@joannehack7588]

☮️

[@ScarlettFire341]

man O man - great memories !

[@BobBenham]

Heard this on Deep Tracks (SiriusXM) today -- cranked it up and its cooks!

[@jamesdavison8709]

Saw him in concert with John Prine and Steve Goodman

[@Seamus322]

Thanks for posting this-I saw him for the first time since 1985(?)at the Tupelo Music Hall up here in New Hampshire last year-great show-but I would have loved to be able to ask him how he managed to get what I think was the Grateful Dead's entire lineup at the time to be HIS sidemen on Wanted Dead or Alive...

[@wagonman1967]

Saw him in Eugene or bout 2 years ago. Smokin hot.

[@wagonman1967]

Also at My Fathers place Roslyn LI about 1976

[@CharlesJones-if6eu]

So many times.

[@CharlesCCRidesChandler]

One more time!!!...:)O(:...

[@ralphsettle1925]

He's got the dead backing

[@scottjones01230]

Cool beans!

[@ReverendSoupbone]

The only 100% honest road trip song.