I was just wondering if there were any Bela Fleck and the Flecktones fans on the SDMB. If so, I can’t recommend highly enough that you get the DVD “Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Live at the Quick”.
I purchased this DVD on Saturday night and have watched it at least 4 times now. It is literally one the most incredible live performances I have ever witnessed.
For those that don’t know, Bela is a bajo player extraordinaire, taking the instrument well beyond bluegrass. His combines his talent with Victor Wooten, easily one of the most exciting bass players out there, and Future Man, (Victor’s brother) who plays drums on a guitar-shaped invention called the “Drumitar”. ( You will have to remind yourself repeatedly that you aren’t hearing a real drumset.)
That is the core of the Flecktones. In this concert though, they bring a number of incredible musicians along to sit in with the band including a steel drum player, a tabla player, an oboe player, and a throat singer. Every one of these instruments adds a new layer of virtuosity to an already incredible lineup.
Yes, I am a huge fan and have been for about 12 years, when I had the opportunity to open for them on 3 seperate occassions. They blew me away then and still do. If you think there is nothing interesting going on in music, this band and this DVD will change your mind.
Has anyone else had the opportunity to see this DVD?
I learned of The Flecktones back around 1990 when they opened for Chicago here in Nashville. Victor Wooten blew me away on Sinister Minister (of course) and i’ve been a fan of the group ever since.
They came and played at Western Ky University in the early 90’s when I was a student there, and I helped do some roadie work for them. They all signed a poster for me (Howard Levy was still with the group as the keyboardist/harmonica player then) and Victor gave me a t-shirt for helping out.
Nice guys, every one, and fantastic artists. Their first album is still probably my favorite, but “Live Art” is a must buy since it’s one of the only ways to get a live version of Sinister Minister.
One of the few friend’s recommendations that really panned out. I saw Bela for my first time last fall and thought it was awesome. My friend had a hard time trying to describe what “type” of music he plays, and after seeing him I could understand why - it is so different and varied. But very enjoyable.
Victor Wooten is nothing short of genius.
I also really enjoyed the fact that they really seemed to be having a good time on stage. That made the show that much more enjoyable.
I ran out and picked up the “Live at Quick” and “Live Art” CDs. And have been playing them over and over.
Bela is incredible. If you want to hear what a banjo is capable of get a copy of “Perpetual Motion”. He plays a selection of classical pieces… Paganini’s “Moto Perpetuo” on a banjo will absolutely knock yer socks off!
I’ve been a huge fan since the Dreadful Snakes era, and the thing is he just keeps getting better. True virtuosity is rare, although the tag isn’t. Bela has redefined the banjo for sure.
Definitely a fan, though I do tend to get bored by some of the songs.
I’ve seen both Bela Fleck shows, and Victor Wooten on his own tour (I actually liked that a bit better).
IMO, Future Man is boring and unoriginal. He’s playing midi drums on a weird looking instrument, but isn’t particularly innovative. He is the weakest link.
Vic Wooten doing his Amazing Grace solo was incredible, definitely the best part of the show.
I saw Bela in Burlington VT a few years ago, and I agree that the Amazing grace solo was one of the most impressive things I have ever seen. Absolutely astounding. I’ll have to hunt around for the DVD.
Just wondering if you are a drummer? The reason I ask is because, as a drummer, I find his playing to be quite musically interesting. His control over dynamics and overall feel are not what i would describe as boring. But to each his own.
I caught the Flecktones live for my first time back in February, and it was one of the most amazing live shows I’ve ever seen. Bela and Victor are both virtuosos–the best there is at what they do. They had an amazing sax player with them that night as well. (I’m a sax player, so I notice these things.)
I first discovered Bela as a guest musician on a few Phish tracks, and I’ve been a fan ever since. “Three Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” is an amazing album, but I’ll check out all the above recommendations for future purchases.
Béla appeared on Chris Thile’s Not All Who Wander Are Lost album. Chris is to mandolin what Béla is to banjo. They even co-wrote one of the songs for a duo with them. That was an astounding peice of music.
The album also features such notables as Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer, Jerry Douglas, and Bryan Sutton as well as Sara and Sean Watkins, Chris’ bandmates in Nickel Creek.
Béla and the other New Grass muscians of the early- to mid-80s kept the Bluegrass genre from becoming stale. Thankfully, Chris is here to rejuvinate the genre and take up the mantle.
I like what I’ve heard of him, but haven’t gone out of the way to pick any of his stuff up. He plays around here now and then, so I suppose I should get off my ass and go see what he is about. I’ll keep ya posted.
I love Bela and the Flecktones and will take your recommendation and pick up the DVD. Saw them open for Dave Matthews Band a couple of years ago and Bela and Victor sat in on several DMB numbers–they are amazing; thanks for the heads up on Live at the Quick.
Bela is, in fact, the bomb. “Live Art” is a desert-island quality disc, even if it would take up two slots.
I’ve seen Bela in just about every possible configuration, since I used to work for the Troubadour concert series back in Lexington. I’ve seen him twice with the 'Tones, once with Edgar Meyer (where they did mostly material from “Perpetual Motion”), once in a banjo duo show with Tony Trishka, once in a “Master Musicians Night” along with Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, and a bunch of other ridiculously talented guys…there’s more I can’t remember right now. I usually got to talk to him after the show, and he was always an incredibly nice guy.
If Victor Wooten’s live solo show comes near you, run and don’t walk to it. It’s approaching P-Funk excess. I don’t even have to tell you about Vic, but his brother Regi doesn’t play the guitar so much as he makes it his bitch. Between those two, Joseph (who plays keyboards with Vic), and Future Man himself, I don’t know what Mama Wooten was putting in the food way back when.
If I played bass, I’d be all over Vic’s Bass/Nature Camp. Then again, it would probably just make me feel inadequate.
I’m a big fan of banjo music and recently discovered Bela Fleck myself. In addition to “Perpetual Motion” I’ve also gotten the two “Acoustic Planet” CDs, which I think are quite good.
I’ll have to keep an eye out for that DVD, as well as some of the CDs mentioned.
Do yourself a favor and see this DVD.