CRAIG GREENBERG

Rockwood Hall New York, NY

Contact: craiggreenbergmusic@gmail.com

Web: craiggreenbergmusic.com

Players: Craig Greenberg, piano guitar, vocals; Hiroyuki Matsuura, drums; Jim Kuras, bass; Wayne Silver, guitar

Material: There is always a danger of pigeonholing an artist by trying to fit them neatly into a genre. Though more on the pop-rock spectrum, with comparisons to Billy Joel and Ben Folds, Greenberg is still his own creation who chronicles relationships and how he sees the world through his own unique prism. His songs are mostly pianocentric with a backing band, but the piano is commonly the driving force. Relationships and self-examination are the subject matter at the heart of his song content, occasionally veering off into other directions. ”Going Back To The Start,” Greenberg revisits less complicated times with the hopes of returning to them: I’m going back to the start when the future was bright/I’m breaking the chains of my heart/ Gonna make it alright/No sense of

Performance: Despite a slight cold, Greenberg soldiered through the set, showcasing a good mix of material. Switching to guitar while also featuring Wayne Silver for a guest artist spot, added diversity to the musical and visual landscape. Greenberg’s songs are packed with stories and his songs would be even better served with some anecdotes or revelations as to what these songs mean to him, further endearing him to his audience.

Summary: Though you can clearly hear the influences behind his music, Greenberg doesn’t chase musical trends. He sticks to his guns with his own brand of piano-centric material. Letting more of the personal genie out of the bottle with dialogue and backstories will further cement him to his audience.

– Ellen Woloshin