Bela Fleck

Subject: RE: Bela Fleck
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 07 Feb 04 - 10:38 AM

Last night my Beautiful Wife and I went to a concert of Bela Fleck and Edgar Meyer. Meyer is a fantastic bassist. The two of them shared the limelight, as it were, throughout the concert, each showing great finesse and judgment in supporting the other when it was time for that. On some numbers, Meyer showed himself a fine piano accompanist also.

This was the first concert of their current concert tour, and was held here in Indianapolis at Clowes Hall, which is a HUGE barn of a concert hall. I was way up in the back, in the stratosphere, (what they call the third terrace) and had been concerned that I wouldn't hear well.
Of course I know that there was amplification of the acoustic music, but still I was impressed with the quality of the sound, and the incredible dynamics they achieved.

For my wife, a classical pianist of quality, said to me, "I would never have suspected it, but you've downplayed this man!" This despite my glowing reports to her over the years.   

One of the things that so impressed my B.W. was the absolute unity and coordination between the two artists; you'd have thought they were one animal.

If they come within reasonable driving range, Go and see/hear them!"

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Bela Fleck
From: EBarnacle
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 09:44 AM

You can pick your banjo but you cannot pick your relatives.

Subject: RE: Bela Fleck
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 09:14 AM

BanjoRay,

I believe that he can do Clawhammer or anything that he wants with a banjo.

Allan C., I love that line. I really like Bela's early and more traditional stuff. I really enjoyed this classical piece, but his Jazz stuff leaves me cold, although I respect his talent. This coming from a Ralph Stanley nut, who by the way did some wonderful Clawhammer.

Bex, I think that the other pickers here will tell you, it's not their banjo that's sexy, it's the picker. :-).

Subject: RE: Bela Fleck
From: BanjoRay
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 08:38 AM

It's great stuff. Now.....if only he could do a bit clawhammer...(wanders off into a dream)
Ray

Subject: RE: Bela Fleck
From: GUEST,Bex McK
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 08:06 AM

I would have to say he makes the banjo positively sexy...and how many others can say THAT!

Subject: RE: Bela Fleck
From: GUEST,irishsergeant
Date: 17 Dec 03 - 04:01 PM

My wife got me into his music. He does some unbelievable things with a banjo! Neil

Subject: RE: Bela Fleck
From: Allan C.
Date: 17 Dec 03 - 02:20 PM

As was once said by someone who should know, "As a banjo player, Bela Fleck is one hell of a guitarist."

Subject: RE: Bela Fleck
From: GUEST,Rob
Date: 17 Dec 03 - 01:21 PM

40 years old and still presentable - how many other banjoists can claim that? (i include myself)

Subject: RE: Bela Fleck
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 17 Dec 03 - 01:03 PM

A great player. I've been a fan for 20 years or more; infact, I still think him as the boy wonder of bluegrass! I guess he must be 40 something now.

Subject: RE: Bela Fleck
From: Amos
Date: 17 Dec 03 - 12:58 PM

Very impressive, and the first piece of his I have heard. Thanks for the pointer!!!


A

Subject: RE: Bela Fleck
From: GUEST,Sam Pirt
Date: 17 Dec 03 - 11:30 AM

Bela Fleck is one artist that I never tire of. The reason is that he absorbes so many styles in his playing as well as being a true 'master'. He can turn his hand to classical, Bluegrass, Jazz, Hip-hop, Reggae etc.. I am hopeing t get his new album 'Small Worlds' for X-mas. A 3 CD package of brand new material!!

If you like music then you will like Bela.

Cheers, Sam

Subject: RE: Bela Fleck
From: EBarnacle
Date: 17 Dec 03 - 11:08 AM

His classical CD is worth the price. All of the cuts are good. The blicky is not necessarily a good example of the content.

Subject: RE: Bela Fleck
From: Mooh
Date: 17 Dec 03 - 10:05 AM

About once a month a have a Bela day, ie 4 hours on the discman and a couple on the home stereo. Everything I've heard of his I've enjoyed. Some of the Flecktone stuff is a bit over the top, but that's better than the mediocrity that other artists resort to when they run out of ideas.

I didn't mention Fleck in my responce to John of Hull's shite new music thread but I should have used it as an example of what good new music there is.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Bela Fleck
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 17 Dec 03 - 09:54 AM

Mudlark,

He sure is a master of that fretboard. What beautiful tone.

Subject: RE: Bela Fleck
From: Mudlark
Date: 16 Dec 03 - 05:53 PM

Very nifty! First time I heard it was on NPR classical program on car radio...sat in front of the grocery store listening to the whole thing.

Subject: Bela Fleck
From: GUEST,Steve Latimer
Date: 16 Dec 03 - 02:05 PM

I admire Bela's playing, although I'm not a fan of the direction that he has taken with the Flecktones. But,then he goes and does something as pretty as this.

Bela Does Bach, Partita