Greensky Bluegrass returns to The Odgen Theater in Denver for an epic two nights this weekend to showcase their new album, If Sorrows Swim. It’s been an incredible past year for Greensky, with a spotlight during the world famous Telluride Bluegrass Festival, and a shared headline with Railroad Earth and The Wood Brothers at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. The ball will undoubtedly keep rolling with these two upcoming shows in Denver, which are expected to sell out. A definite highlight of my summer was catching Greensky’s explosive late night set at the Palm Theater at Telluride Bluegrass Festival.
Since 2000 Greensky Bluegrass has worked tirelessly to bring bluegrass music lovers a new, clean, and full bluegrass sound. In 2006 Greensky won the band competition for Telluride Bluegrass Festival, debatably throwing them headfirst into success and popularity. Now they tour all year long, selling out venues and headlining festivals. It’s been cool watching this band grow as well as the ever-increasing love their fans have for them.
The new album, If Sorrows Swim, is awesome -- everything and more than I expected. I have heard Greensky play most of the songs on the new album live, so it was good to get stripped-down, super-clean studio versions of songs I love. The album is perfectly mixed, with Paul’s vocals and Michael’s banjo loud and clear. The jams on the albums are long, which was surprising for a “jam-grass” album, as jams are usually non-existent or short on studio mixes. My favorite song on the album is Wings For Wheels, with guitar player Dave Bruzza singing a soulful ballad about being grounded, in my interpretation. I love Bruzza’s old-timey voice with Greensky’s new sound.
As usual, Greensky fans should expect a packed Ogden Theater this weekend. The energy and spirits will be high, as Greensky will surely give it their all to get people moving and captivated. A two night run in Denver, for any band, is always a major highlight of the tour and definitely should not be missed.
