#dave bruzza

[krispyweiss]

Song Review: Greensky Bluegrass with Aoife O’Donovan - “Merely Avoiding” (Live at FreshGrass)

With a little more rehearsal - and a little less wind - it could’ve been superb.

As it went, Aoife O’Donovan’s guest spot on “Merely Avoiding” with Greensky Bluegrass at FreshGrass is merely good as the singer struggles with the breeze that blows her lyric sheets around and hampers her ability to fully chime in Paul Hoffman.

Short mando, guitar, banjo and Dobro solos separate the vocal sections nicely and the song is a lovely shade of depressing. The same can be said for the missed harmonic opportunities.

Grade card: Greensky Bluegrass with Aoife O’Donovan - “Merely Avoiding” (Live at FreshGrass) - B

12/24/19

[krispyweiss]

Recovering from Surgery, Dave Bruzza to Skip Greensky Bluegrass Gigs

- Rapid Grass’ Mike Morris to fill in for near future

Greensky Bluegrass guitarist Dave Bruzza will skip the band’s upcoming festival appearances in California and Australia as he recovers from an unspecified surgery.

“The procedure went as planned and I am healing up nicely and will need some more time to continue to heal,” he said.

Bruzza is well enough to attend the group’s March 31 WinterWomderGrass appearance, “but I am unable to perform,” he said.

Rapidgrass’ Mike Morris will join Greensky for that gig and its April 6-9 festival slots in Australia. The group will then be off the road until an April 29 show in Arizona.

“Looking forward to seeing you really soon,” Bruzza said.

3/30/23

[krispyweiss]

Album Review: Greensky Bluegrass - Shouted, Written Down & Quoted

Two highlights - the sprightly “Miss September” and “Merely Avoiding,” which bubbles along with just a hint of Union Station - prevent Greensky Bluegrass’ sixth studio album, Shouted, Written Down & Quoted from being a middling bust. But the balance of the 11 songs too often meander into uninspired instrumental passages a la the Punch Brothers. And it's this inclination, coupled with monotonous lead vocals and the absence of strong harmony singing that can make string music so inviting, that results in a lackluster LP that, while not disagreeable, fails to grow on you with repeated listens.

Dobro man Anders Beck is the Michigan quintet’s MVP on this one, as his instrument vibrates under the surface and gives even the weakest tracks a much-needed burst of color. Dave Bruzza’s occasional use electric guitar also differentiates Greensky’s brand of modern Bluegrass from many of their contemporaries’ offerings. These standout performances; however, are not enough to rescue Shouted, Written Down & Quoted from its mire of mediocrity.

Grade card: Greensky Bluegrass - Shouted, Written Down & Quoted - C

11/25/16

[soundfusemag]

5.27.11 | Greensky Bluegrass at Summer Camp Music Festival (Dave Bruzza)