Today, Greensky Bluegrass shared an archival studio video of them performing "Last Winter In The Copper Country" with American pianist and Grateful Dead arrangement transcriber extraordinaire Holly Bowling. The footage comes fresh off Greensky Bluegrass' 2022 Stress Dreams sessions which initially took place on Sept. 22, 2020, at Guilford Sound in Guilford, Vt.
“Last Winter In The Copper Country” was penned by Joshua Davis of Steppin’ In It and released in 2002. It has since become a setlist staple for Greensky Bluegrass as early as 2010. The live video capturing the recording not only highlights their deep familiarity with the song but also their retroactive familiarity with one another. Sonically the recording showcases improvisational mastery, complex conversations between musicians, and a seamless flow as the piece plants deep roots and continues to grow ever outwards with a soft grace and emphatic beauty.
"When we traveled to Guilford to make stress dreams, the greatest joy came from just playing music together. we got hip to our musical friend, Holly, being near the studio," wrote Greensky Bluegrass mandolinist and vocalist Paul Hoffmans of the experience. "Naturally, we invited her to join us before we even knew what she should play on. We decided to have her play on the title track, and she crushed it. Holly hadn’t played with anyone in a long time. Adding some keys to a track was great. We all cheered heavily from the control room, but we needed to really dig into something. Together. Live. Just for fun, only because, and with the intention of fully opening it up, we all went into the room to play Last Winter in the Copper County. Outside in Vermont, seasonal shift was present and beautiful. Holly was pregnant with a son. The literal connections to the song were wild. It felt powerful, and I’m glad we indulged."
Greensky Bluegrass and Bowling are set to perform at New York's Rooftop at Pier 17 on June 24 and 25. Find tickets to the events here.
Watch Greensky Bluegrass and Holly Bowling cover “Last Winter In The Copper Country” below:
