Photo by Wesley Hodges

The transcendent and ever hard to describe music of Greensky Bluegrass was in full effect in NYC on January 27th. An audience representing the diverse landscape of the Big Apple was on hand to see the quintet and judging by their resounding response one could only hope NYC could get used to grassy music on this scale. Once you get over the notion that this is different than any bluegrass you may have ever heard it is clear that they are not a novelty, but are outstanding performers that have emotionally charged and engaging songs.

Greensky Bluegrass had a poignant effect on the audience that went beyond just good picking and grinning. The effect is largely promulgated with the combination of Paul Hoffman’s lyrics and vocals alongside of Anders Beck’s dobro playing. Their music packs an emotional weightiness which could be overwhelming if that was all that was served, but Greensky Bluegrass crafted a setlist that was palatable because of how humorous they are and the anthemic nature of their songs certainly heightened the experience.

From the outset they showed their true colors by doing what is to be expected from them: taking extreme liberty and pushing boundaries. Billy Joel’s “Big Shot,” a cover for which they have been known to play is a prime example. Choosing “Big Shot” definitely strengthens the stereotype of who they are as whimsical funny bluegrass boys, but it does toe the line of what fits with their ethos more than other covers they play. However, we are in NYC and a great way to win a crowd is to play something from someone in our backyard.

The quintet really came together during “Kerosene” a song closer to the bluegrass genre which gave banjo player Michael Bont his first opportunity to really show his craft. With the help of co-vocalist and guitarist Dave Bruzza they can get very country and grassy. Vocally, Bruzza is somewhere in the vein of late country singers Keith Whitley and Merle Haggard. It was pleasant to see how country they can get on songs like “Kerosene” and “Worried About The Weather” and then extend the jamming out into psychedelic territories of Pink Floyd’s “Time” and the Macarena. Ok, maybe not Macarena, but when you add in a distorted dobro that is as vocal as Hoffman and Bruzza, and Mike Devol on bass then you have something nobody else has. With or without the Macarena.

Mike Devol was one of the most important parts of the show. The entire ensemble is furious and intense in their playing but Devol is both the driving force and what holds it all together. It is easy to get focused on the amazing solos of the rest of the quintet, but right in the center of the stage is something very special. If you ever wondered what it would sound like to have Charles Mingus sit in on a bluegrass show then this is what it might sound like, but none of us have ever wondered that. That’s what makes this such a show. Kudos to Devol.

Paul Hoffman pushed himself vocally and extracted every emotion out of the notes he sang and played to perfection. It is almost impossible not to get sucked into the songs with Hoffman as they hit so close to home. Anders Beck does the exact same thing just with a dobro. Hoffman and Beck are a great tandem. They do well in setting each other up and playing to their mutual strengths. They are clearly made for each other musically and comedically.

From beginning to end the concert was a pure existential bliss. The interplay of the lightning and the points of darkness that overshadowed the stage added to this feeling. Their music touches the hard areas of life like regret and disappointment, and gives the listener the opportunity to feel that and have expression in the context of a light and dark bluegrass concert. They are very special in what they do. Run, don’t walk to see them.

Honorable mention to opener Billy Strings!