During the set break I struck up a conversation with a chap that looked like he knew a thing or two about music. I asked him about his experiences with the band (Greensky Bluegrass – website).He told me that first time he saw them was at a small town festival with less than 50 others in the audience. What struck me is that he said it was weird and cool at the same time that this bluegrass band was using a smoke machine from Spencer’s and big hair rock props. Tonight, there were a few more people in the audience and the light show was top notch. Here is a full setlist and great pictures on Relix. 


I’m not a bluegrass fan, but when my good music friend Jay P enticed  me with tickets… I jumped in head first. (Thanks JP.)


Before I get on to rambling about the show, I must say I feel very thankful to Peter Shapiro for making the NYC area the absolute best live music region in the world. Certainly without his two venues (Brooklyn Bowl and Capitol Theatre), NYC would still be atop the list, but these venues are top notch all around and the acts are second to none (see Neil Young story from last week).


The Greensky Bluegrass band started with a soulful “Bring Out Your Dead” which had a slow build up and was my favorite of the night. The band’s unique cosmic cowboy jams mixed with bluegrass speed and precision work very well in a live setting. Their music doesn’t translate as well in recorded form. The band reminded me at times of Son Volt, String Cheese and CSN&Y.


Greensky’s hillbilly cover of Traveling Wilbury’s “Handle with Care” was well orchestrated and a really fun sing along for their legion of fans.


Being a frequent and observant attendee at The Cap, I noticed the audience was not oddly not familiar, although I did see New City’s own baseman Adam Roberts. The few people I talked too by my stage right front row perch traveled from Colorado and Montana.


At one point Greensky had 7 people on stage (too many for my tastes) playing another sing along cover (“Second That Emotion”). This one was ho-hum though.


All in all, Greensky Bluegrass is a great real band worth seeing live the next time they ramble through town.


Peace. Keep flapping…


😉