There is something haunting about a well played clawhammer banjo. Abigail really makes it talk. Merging the two styles is no small feat. The marriage of two true Masters.
One of my favorite performances of all time was Béla Fleck performing Big Country in Ireland for TS5. I think it stands for Transatlantic Session 5. It's an absolute masterpiece. Find it if you aren't already familiar.
Or the geographical reverse :-). Or neither - homesick overflows in their love and music, wherever we find ourselves. How good to have such food for the journey Home.
Watch his documentary Throw Down Your Heart. It’s here on TH-cam in potato quality, but serviceable. He travels through Africa playing with local performers and learning the history of regional music.
My first time listening to hybrid bluegrass, I must say the merging of styles is most impressive. I enjoyed the merging of old-time collaboration with bluegrass
I learned to play five string banjo back in the seventies by turning down old Carl Jackson and Glen Campbell records to half speed...then Earl Scruggs came out with Song Booklet and Record and I thought I found heaven...people today have access to a thousand teachers on line and you have no idea how fortunate you are...I will say this, I have adored Bela's playing back to his time with Newgrass Revival and they played here at Carlisle Bluegrass outside Hamilton, Ontario...they will remember it as the four day rain festival when nobody stopped dancing and carrying on for four days in front of the stage...a total mud bowl...I didn't care for the direction Bela took with the Flecktones, to each his own, but I am glad he has gotten back to traditional sounds here ...by the way the Transatlantic sessions were awesome..Big Country I think it was, awesome tune, with the lute etc. just my thoughts ..to each his own...and I was inspired by all of your Humanitarian work Bela...God Bless
I’ve been to a lot of concerts in my life. Their concert was by my favorite. The acoustics, the warmth, the connection, all came together to be one of my absolute favorite moments of live music.
Incredible. Abigail and Joanna Newsome have very similar styles of singing. Bela is legendary. Wonderful dry humor. What a couple. Thanks for the post.
I can only guess at what effect it has on their kids to hear mom and dad cranking amazing tunes in their living room. I came to follow both of these musicians before they were married but have since become even more fascinated to hear them as a couple. It's pretty wonderful.
The sound of this jam carries me away down a long winding road in a stagecoach through a beautiful mysterious land of the past. Mist in the morning over rolling hills.
OMG Bela Fleck. I listened to his albums decades ago. He is awesome. Can't wait to hear the flailing by Abigail. It's so nice to hear people today who are expert musicians. Loving it. Beautiful. Nice vocals. Nice clogging. I have to check out Uncle Earl now. Thanks. You've both exposed me to another delightful side of the world of music.
So sweet. My interest in the banjo just went up a few notches thanks to these two charming musicians and some Steve Martin videos I stumbled on tonight. Thank you.....
17:00 Best analogy for the two , compelling , "opposing" banjo styles, like the masterful Earl Scruggs, rolls, and Mother Maybelle Carter, scratch! This was a beautiful performance, Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn and Paste Magazine! BTW , Clogging is so amazing!
I professed my love for Abigail soon after she got back from China (unsuccessfully I might add, I never had a chance). I am so glad she ended up with Bela. Their journey together has turned into something of legend. There has never been such a "married" sound to mix musical ideas from every corner of the world. When i hear their music I think of a not yet-existent place where opposing ideas flow as a more perfect melodic reality.
Well, they are marvelous, but it's not really new. Earl and John McEuen did it on Soldier's Joy on the first Circle album and that was marvelous, also !
Changes my mood for the better- always. The mountain style with Bela's melodic/classical take is simply magical. So glad I found Fleck decades ago- who introduced me to Abigail and the best of the rest of the banjo world... Said as a (hack) Mandolinist, sworn to see the destruction of all that is banjo😅
Wonderful duo. I appreciate not only your excellent musicianship, but also your social justice awareness. Thank you for the beautiful and heartfelt music.
I love your playing together! it is really wonderful to hear 3-finger playing and claw-hammer together. the contrasting tones of the two instruments is wonderful too!
This is absolutely incredible. I love the blend of these styles and watching you two play together inspires me to share this magic with other people. Thank you
The story Bela tells about finding an enormous, huge bass banjo in a music store when he was on tour is so cute: He said he knew he'd married the right woman, because when he sheepishly called home to get a feel for whether she'd be mad if he bought it, as soon as he described it she just said "don't come home without it!" 😁
I really appreciate the panning, makes it much easier to hear the different parts from each of these lovely players. The reverb was a little thick for my taste, I thought it made it sound a little bit unnatural but I can understand the choice. Amazing playing! Thanks for having them on and sharing with the world!
Wonderful, wonderful meshing of two great banjo styles. Pete Seeger dabbled in bluegrass but did a lot of double thumbing and frailing, combining the styles. Can't wait to hear and watch more of these two perfomers. It needs a revival.
Abigail is such an amazing rhythm player . She is the perfect foil for Bela's pyrotechnics.
decades ago dancing to BF's tunes i dreamed he would find this partner... best match in US musical history in decades.
There is something haunting about a well played clawhammer banjo. Abigail really makes it talk. Merging the two styles is no small feat. The marriage of two true Masters.
Its the drones moving around the ear
Their two ways of playing, together, thin and thick, makes blue bells joyfully weep!
No kidding!😮❤🎉😂
The voice of Abbigail is also not stranger to this phenomenon imho
Literal marriage!
What wonderful music. I had a big grin on my face just listening because I can hear the joy of communion. Best wishes from Ireland!
One of my favorite performances of all time was Béla Fleck performing Big Country in Ireland for TS5. I think it stands for Transatlantic Session 5. It's an absolute masterpiece. Find it if you aren't already familiar.
I love that rug, it ties the studio together nicely
If you live in Kenya but grew up in Sugar Grove , NC, this just might make you homesick and cry.
Or the geographical reverse :-). Or neither - homesick overflows in their love and music, wherever we find ourselves. How good to have such food for the journey Home.
Watch his documentary Throw Down Your Heart. It’s here on TH-cam in potato quality, but serviceable. He travels through Africa playing with local performers and learning the history of regional music.
My first time listening to hybrid bluegrass, I must say the merging of styles is most impressive. I enjoyed the merging of old-time collaboration with bluegrass
that first tune was a glorious wall of sound and melody
What I love about the banjo is that it's a *percussive* stringed instrument; the notes have a sort of plunky attack that adds a strong rhythm element.
Big country hits me right in the feels. And regardless what they say about different styles they sound amazing together.
Wow! The 2 styles together are phenomenal. Banjo
makes my heart sing.
I learned to play five string banjo back in the seventies by turning down old Carl Jackson and Glen Campbell records to half speed...then Earl Scruggs came out with Song Booklet and Record and I thought I found heaven...people today have access to a thousand teachers on line and you have no idea how fortunate you are...I will say this, I have adored Bela's playing back to his time with Newgrass Revival and they played here at Carlisle Bluegrass outside Hamilton, Ontario...they will remember it as the four day rain festival when nobody stopped dancing and carrying on for four days in front of the stage...a total mud bowl...I didn't care for the direction Bela took with the Flecktones, to each his own, but I am glad he has gotten back to traditional sounds here ...by the way the Transatlantic sessions were awesome..Big Country I think it was, awesome tune, with the lute etc. just my thoughts ..to each his own...and I was inspired by all of your Humanitarian work Bela...God Bless
I’ve been to a lot of concerts in my life. Their concert was by my favorite. The acoustics, the warmth, the connection, all came together to be one of my absolute favorite moments of live music.
Music is whatever puts a smile on our faces when we preform it or listen to it... Thank you for the smile.
Incredible. Abigail and Joanna Newsome have very similar styles of singing. Bela is legendary. Wonderful dry humor. What a couple. Thanks for the post.
I can only guess at what effect it has on their kids to hear mom and dad cranking amazing tunes in their living room. I came to follow both of these musicians before they were married but have since become even more fascinated to hear them as a couple. It's pretty wonderful.
The sound of this jam carries me away down a long winding road in a stagecoach through a beautiful mysterious land of the past. Mist in the morning over rolling hills.
OMG Bela Fleck. I listened to his albums decades ago. He is awesome. Can't wait to hear the flailing by Abigail. It's so nice to hear people today who are expert musicians. Loving it. Beautiful. Nice vocals. Nice clogging. I have to check out Uncle Earl now. Thanks. You've both exposed me to another delightful side of the world of music.
Man, so much awesome! Loved Bela for a long time. Didn't know about Abigail til now. Wow, just wow. Like Tedeschi Trucks on Banjos.
So sweet. My interest in the banjo just went up a few notches thanks to these two charming musicians and some Steve Martin videos I stumbled on tonight. Thank you.....
They make the most incredible music together!
It is the tones and drones, the cumulative sound, heavenly ...
This video made my day. (It doesn’t matter when you read this post)
He's lucky to be able to play with someone so talented.I kid, I kid, they are both talented and sound great together.
17:00 Best analogy for the two , compelling , "opposing" banjo styles, like the masterful Earl Scruggs, rolls, and Mother Maybelle Carter, scratch! This was a beautiful performance, Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn and Paste Magazine! BTW , Clogging is so amazing!
I professed my love for Abigail soon after she got back from China (unsuccessfully I might add, I never had a chance). I am so glad she ended up with Bela. Their journey together has turned into something of legend. There has never been such a "married" sound to mix musical ideas from every corner of the world. When i hear their music I think of a not yet-existent place where opposing ideas flow as a more perfect melodic reality.
Well said Sir...
Well, they are marvelous, but it's not really new. Earl and John McEuen did it on Soldier's Joy on the first Circle album and that was marvelous, also !
Changes my mood for the better- always. The mountain style with Bela's melodic/classical take is simply magical.
So glad I found Fleck decades ago- who introduced me to Abigail and the best of the rest of the banjo world...
Said as a (hack) Mandolinist, sworn to see the destruction of all that is banjo😅
I adore this pure, innovative music derived from tradition yet on the cutting edge.
Michael Jordan is the Bela Fleck of Basketball
LeBron could not be since he lacks style
Bela is the fleck of bela fleck
She can do it all!
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏Thank you!!
Wonderful duo. I appreciate not only your excellent musicianship, but also your social justice awareness. Thank you for the beautiful and heartfelt music.
This is so freaking great !!!!!!!!
I really really enjoy these two! Contrasting styles or whatever - they are outstanding banjoists (is that a word?!) Great!
This was wondrous! Thank you for hosting Bela and Abigail.
Wow ..... Great.... we all know the Great Bela..... and now, first time for me.... Abigail , playing singing dancing, fantastic 😍
Magical! Loved it!
Bravo!!! Thank you
drop down dead gorgeous!
This was incredibly refreshing, to see 2 people embark on such a unique journey of discovery. I am a fan! Love your passion and talent.
Thanks Bela & Abigail. That was so refreshing. Such talent!
How wonderful - with deep roots and rich soul!!!
Love it!
Thanks
Love you guys so very much!
Pick of the litter :-). Thanks, Paste. Bless you, Bela and Abigail. Heart. Strings.
gave me chills to watch/listen, what a gift
just wow they are wonderful
Wow, on "Take me back to Harlan" the BANJO playing was great...
THEY’RE GOING TO EXPLODE!!❤❤❤❤❤
Really beautiful harmony’s guys! ❤ 2:22
Wonderful collaboration!
Marvelous,,, TY!!
I love your playing together! it is really wonderful to hear 3-finger playing and claw-hammer together. the contrasting tones of the two instruments is wonderful too!
Good ol Surry county lived there for 2 years beautiful place in the wonderful blue ridge mountains in North Carolina
Beautiful! And it put a big smile on my face!
So beautiful. I love listening to these two.
Incredible!
Fantastic Guys!
brings peace to my soul!
Thank you for standing with standing rock. Gratitude.
They really make it work !....Brilliant !...
OK, you two are such fun!!! Entertaining even before the music started...thank you!
WOW. Thanks for that christmas with you two.
They absolutely killed it.
Beautiful!
So good!
Maravilloso, mil gracias.
This is gorgeous. Makes my Friday!
Mine too.
wonderful love it so much
Yes this as special as we're going to get. Wonderful! Thank you kindly. EARL SCRUGGS!
What a smile!
a truly matched pair, so in tune with each other... very enjoyable.
Delicious music and delightful people! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Thanks for sharing this video
This is absolutely incredible. I love the blend of these styles and watching you two play together inspires me to share this magic with other people. Thank you
Wonderful!!!
Wow. Just wow. Fantastic stuff.
The story Bela tells about finding an enormous, huge bass banjo in a music store when he was on tour is so cute: He said he knew he'd married the right woman, because when he sheepishly called home to get a feel for whether she'd be mad if he bought it, as soon as he described it she just said "don't come home without it!" 😁
Mercy thats good!
I really appreciate the panning, makes it much easier to hear the different parts from each of these lovely players. The reverb was a little thick for my taste, I thought it made it sound a little bit unnatural but I can understand the choice. Amazing playing! Thanks for having them on and sharing with the world!
Superb! The dance-singing was a delightful bonus.
I’m a jazz guy, but as soon as they started playing I found myself transfixed and floating around the world.
One of the best descriptions I've heard...well put
Bela is also a great jazz musician. He started out bluegrass but it's now the smaller part of what he plays. Find his Rhapsody in Blue(grass)
How beautiful! Your sound/Spirit is great! Thanks for sharing with the world. 💕🕊️🌄
Way out here on the west coast I am envious of the music from the east. I love it.
Love your music
This is great!
Delightful Duo!
The two styles together on Big Country is wonderful. Belas banjo sounds real planky in the video. I like it. Thanks for the fantastic footage!
Wonderful, wonderful meshing of two great banjo styles. Pete Seeger dabbled in bluegrass but did a lot of double thumbing and frailing, combining the styles. Can't wait to hear and watch more of these two perfomers. It needs a revival.
That 3rd song really had me tearing up, god damn is this phenomenal
Interesting tuning Mr. Fleck, I like the warm sound!
I really enjoyed this. It works well, not always what u get when spouses do music
Two great players. Love merging the styles.
ahhhhh bliss
This is greatness
Inspired me to learn Banjo. Guitarist for 30 plus years and now learning banjo. Thank you
Beautiful
Beautiful🙏
Lovely!
From Oregon I have always loved Earl and Scruggs. Abigail is so lovely.
Bloody amazing 💜 😘 🤗 👍 🌻
Abigail is AWESOME!