Photo of Paul Bromley

Paul Bromley

General Info

  • Genre: Acoustic / Folk / Roots Music

    Location Edmonton, Alberta, CA

    Profile Views: 4102

    Last Login: 8/10/2011

    Member Since 1/23/2008

    Record Label unsigned

    Type of Label Indie

  • Bio

    Where I Come From review by Rachel Jagt for Rambles Cultural Arts Magazine: There are a lot of guitars on this record. A lot. And Paul Bromley plays most of them himself, in addition to piano, harmonica, mandolin and percussion. He brings a few friends along to fill out the roster, and then he makes a record full of quirky, delightful little tunes. Fans of guitar-based folk music will really enjoy Where I Come From, the Edmonton singer-songwriter's debut CD. There is nothing over-produced or flashy about it -- he just picks up his guitar(s) and sings. It's such a refreshing way to hear recorded music -- raw and honest. "Hand to Lend" is a plea for those less fortunate, made by one who wants to help. Bromley doesn't sound like a political activist, though; he's just a guy with a song to sing. "Best of Friends" is a song about missing someone, missing a presence in your life. But rather than dwelling on the missing, Bromley offers friendship in its place. Bromley's spiritual side shows itself in "Look Above," a carefree ode to seeing the good in any situation. And just when I thought I knew what to expect from Bromley, along came "Blue Train," a bass-heavy blues track. There are a couple of strange songs on this record. "Worms" is about, well, worms, which is something I don't think I've ever encountered. Then there's "The Chop," which is actually, and I'm not kidding here, about a poor dog whose manhood is taken from him: "Whoever said that it's a dog's life, they don't even know, unless they've had their balls chopped off and their head stuck in a cone." It comes complete with howling doggies. Hey, at least it's original! The impression left on the part of my brain that processes poetry and music is a favourable one. The songs on Where I Come From are positive, simple and unassuming. In some cases, they are almost shy. Intricate guitar playing almost occurs in the background, sneaking up on you when you least expect it. This is a very good record -- Paul Bromley is the next name to add to a growing list of young Canadian singer-songwriters who are making names for themselves in coffeehouses and at music festivals across the country.
  • Members

  • Influences

    Bruce Cockburn, The Beatles, Kelly Joe Phelps, Ben Harper, Bobby McFerrin, Martin Simpson, Leo Kottke, Martin Sexton, John Renbourn, Stevie Wonder, Dick Gaughan, David Francey, Richard Thompson, Michael Franti, Phish, Jai Uttal, Krishna Das, J.S. Bach, Flight of the Conchords....
  • Sounds Like

Videos

Make It By

02:57 | 31 plays | Nov 8 2010

Comments

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  • Paul Bromley

    Hi Misty, I checked with my Mom and this is what she said...

    Hi Paul,

    Dad and I looked at a sketch Grandpa made of the Bromley family tree today, and there is a William and also a James, but the timing isn't right. James was the first Bromley from Dad's "clan" to come to Canada, but that would have been in the late 1700s, and, William was a great Uncle to your grandfather, Art, so he would have been born in the 1800s some time.

    There was a Dr. Bromley practicing in Edmonton some years ago, but, I believe he has since died. It sounds like Misty's family must have a different tree.

    Please forward this if you like.

    Love,
    Mom

    1 year ago
  • Misty Bromley

     Hello,

    This is probably a weird thing, but I bought your album at Edmonton Folk Fest a few years ago, and it's lovely.  

    Fast forward about eight years, and my cousin has released a truly terrible album, and that got me thinking... I wonder if that guy in Edmonton is a relation?  It's possible, because my grandfather would call his cousins in Alberta every Christmas.  His name was William Wilfred Bromley (called Bill) b.  1906, d.  2001.  He was the son of James and Anne (Chapman) Bromley.  James immigrated with one of his brothers in 1895 and my memory is hazy... either the brother went west or went home.  My money's on going west.
    There aren't that many Bromleys on this side of the pond.  And you obviously are one, and so am I.  So, not to be all weird and fangirily, but... care to share your ancestry?

    Your profille photo suggest that you have the Bromley look, as far as I know it.

    If this creeps you out, please ignore.

    Kind regards,

    Misty Bromley

    1 year ago

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