Sunday, March 14, 2010

Béla Fleck & The Flecktones - Throwdown At The Hoedown

These guys probably aren't an everyday listen type of group, but if you need a sharp reminder of what REAL talent is, look no further than Béla Fleck & The Flecktones. Their style is probably best labelled as jazz fusion with a twist of bluegrass, but I would simply call them awe-inspiring. Any time you think you're pretty good at what you do, and you don't need any more practice, just turn them on. They'll make you feel small really quickly.

Featuring Béla on the banjo, Jeff Coffin on saxophone, the irrepressible Victor Wooten on bass, and Vic's older brother Roy (aka Futureman) on something insane called the synthaxe drumitar, these guys are basically the best in the world on their respective instruments. In Roy's case, he's the only one in the world who plays it, but since he made it himself you just have to let it slide. Who needs a drummer when you have a guy dressed as a pirate playing something that looks like a junkyard guitar that makes percussion sounds? Madness. Their 1996 album "Live Art" is required listening for anyone into jazz or musical genius.


Bonus Vic solo. Find me a better bass player in the world. Ya. Good luck with that.

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