by photojournalist Dan Fernandez
I have been a fan of what Greensky Bluegrass brings to the plate for many years. Having seen these guys jam with each other a collective of around 15 times I can whole heartedly say that they bring the heat every single show. The level of musicianship and dynamism of their performance carried that consistency through Clearwater on a rare chilly Thursday night in November at The Baycare Sound as Greensky most assuredly came to get down in support of their newest release and eighth studio album Titled Stress Dreams.
Formed in 2000 and hailing from Kalamazoo, MI the string band features Paul Hoffman on vocals and the mandolin, Anders Beck on the dobro slide guitar, Mike Devol on the upright bass and Dave Bruzza on lead guitar. Since their foundation the group has achieved far reaching success and recognition including multiple number ones on various Billboard Charts as well as critical acclaim from Billboard, NPR, Rolling Stone and many more with Rolling Stone crowning them as “representing the genre for a whole new generation.” The band is known for embracing traditional bluegrass while adjoining elements of other sounds such as funk, jam and outlaw country in a way that pilots bluegrass into the new age. On Greensky’s approach to their Music Paul explained “Greensky is and always has been very unique in our world. We put our love, energy, and focus into what we appreciate about our music. We come together as a band in a way that’s organic. We take a lot of pride in how we grow and challenge each other too. We’re maturing together. I think we get more Greensky all of the time.” The pride in and respect for each other has is shown as the stage lights illuminate whoever is playing a solo at the time, interchanging from bandmate to bandmate with everyone in the group happy to share the spotlight.
There was no opener on the night which meant a double helping of the main dish with Greensky splitting their offerings between two sets with a short intermission in between. As always, the bands light show was flawless, and crowd banter was on point, but when you come for a Greensky Bluegrass show you come for the immaculately executed melodies and the masterful command over their instruments. Covering 6 of their 8 albums as well as a few covers from Bob Marley and the Wailers and Steppin’ In It, the nights setlist left absolutely zero to be desired. The first half of the night started with a slower build featuring songs such as “Little Birdie”, “Room Without a Roof”, “Old Barns and Grow Together.”
Just as intermission broke and the lights darkened those in attendance were filled with the sensation that the heat was about to turn up as the guys took the stage for the second time of the night. Greensky opened their second set with “Better Off” before transitioning to “Lose My Way” and one of my personal favorites “Who Is Frederico.” After telling the story of how this next jam became named (A communal camping festival that used a tarp village as overhead covering) the group followed with “Tarpology” and a cover of Bob Marley & The Wailers “Could You Be Loved” which sent fans into a frenzy. After a few more heavy hitters, with much of the venue dancing along as if the tunes were flowing straight from the instruments and directly into their bodies it was time to bring the evening to an end. Greensky Bluegrass being Greensky Bluegrass they were not going to go down quietly, saving the best for last with their final songs being absolute heaters and crowd favorites including “Absence of Reason”, “Murder of Crows”, the Steppin’ In It cover of “Dustbowl Overtures”, another personal favorite “Run or Die” before finishing it off with the Townes Van Zandt’s “White Freight Linger Blues.”
As I drove away from the venue I could not help but hear Greensky Bluegrass songs blasting from the cars next to me. A testament to the type of show that these guys put on, long after the stage lights have come up and the band has walked off the fans still cannot get enough. For any Americana, Bluegrass or String Band enthusiasts out there I would thoroughly implore you to catch this group of astonishingly gifted musicians, you will not regret it.
