REVIEW: Greensky Bluegrass Showcases Their Well-Oiled Machinery in “All For Money”

Greensky Bluegrass’ new release All For Money (Big Blue Zoo Records) adds another genre-bending mix of brooding rock-based bluegrass to their catalogue. The album was recorded in Echo Mountain Studios in music-haven Asheville, NC,  with co-producers John Davis (Jack White) and Glenn Brown, with band members Anders Beck on dobro, Michael Arlen Bont on banjo,  Dave Bruzza on guitar, Mike Devol on upright bass and Paul Hoffman on mandolin.

After listening to this album a number of times, there is no denying the professional musicianship, chemistry and coverall cohesive nature of the band playing together on each track.  There is no doubt that this band is a well oiled machine. It’s easy to tell that these guys have been playing together as a band for closing in on 20 years now. Each player is top notch, but each player also leaves plenty of room for the next, which is a credit to their production sense too.

As far as traditional bluegrass goes, this is not it. While traditional bluegrass fans are sometimes purists, those fans may not latch on to All for Money by Greensky Bluegrass.  It’s not exactly that high lonesome sound; however, the more open minded listener and fan of cross-genre music will be handsomely rewarded.

This band is making their own kind of bluegrass music, and they have thoughtfully chosen to pepper in a little rock and roll. It’s a good thing, I like how the band is not afraid to be artistic in their approach to making a solid record, while doing so in a very fun and unique way. In an ever evolving business, you have to do things like that to set you apart from the crowd. It had me rocking along from the first track, “Do It Alone” which featured extended electric guitar (YES!) and there’s even some of that left to right channel spacey rock in the mix. “Murder of Crows” featured some highly skilled jams too. “Courage for the Road” then shows off some of their faster finger-picking skills.  All in all, it’s a work of art, and if you enjoy musicians who make art, you’ll love this album.

All For Money was very easy to listen to, and while I didn’t have a cocktail in my hand, I think I might the next time I listen.  Get your copy here:

Recorded at Echo Mountain Studios (Asheville, NC)