Recording: July 1 2018 - Montreal Jazz Festival Bela Fleck - banjo Victor Wooten - bass guitar Roy "Futureman" Wooten - drumitar Howard levy - harmonica
Their story is one you wouldn't believe if it was a novel. Bela was doing a "banjo special" for a televised music series that included him solo, with an Asian string quartet, and with the "Flecktones" although they weren't billed that way for the show. The original group, together here, had never met until the afternoon of the show. Bela had heard of this guy in who played piano and a crazy diatonic harmonica and asked Howard Levy to be part of the show. The producer suggested he contact this bass player he'd heard was doing really different stuff and Victor auditioned over the phone to Bela and then when Bela said all he needed was a drummer, Victor said you gotta meet my brother. They had a brief jam together before the show and then just destroyed the audience with music no one had ever heard before. It was magic and the lucky audience will never forget it. Six months or so later their debut album came out. One of our truly favorite bands of all time. Kudos to those responsible for this video.
Here's that original Lonesome Pine special video... the "Flecktones" appear halfway through, but listen to all of it! th-cam.com/video/tfz0aGKEYEU/w-d-xo.html
Frontiers - 0:46 Flying Saucer Dudes - 7:45 Magic Fingers - 13:41 Mars Needs Women - 22:44 Sex in a Pan - 32:48 Life in Eleven - 42:02 "Futureman Solo" - 52:26 Hurricane Camille - 55:14 Sunset Road - 1:04:37 Juno - 1:16:03 The Sinister Minister - 1:23:03 Flight of the Cosmic Hippo - 1:32:18
Yeah, Flashahol is right. Drums and percussion are such primal and usually visual instruments. We're just used to seeing stuff hit. I'm a drummer. I can hear what he's doing conceptually and it's great, it's fantastic, but even while watching him I'm internally visualizing him sitting behind a kit of drums. I can best relate to the complexity of what he's doing through the visual medium of a drum set which is the only thing at least secondarily relevant to me. Firstly being the sound. I'm never going to play Synthaxe, nor does it appear as challenging as a drum set. I could be wrong. He's definitely a maverick for going that route.
@@rembeadgc I believe if he had a young protege applying this to modern music, they could get a lot more recognition if they really sold it. I agree that there's a disconnect between the energy musically vs visually. Basically he needs some "Rock star moves"!!!
A lot of people in the comments seem to know this band already for a long time. I consider myself a real music fan for many years now, and found out about them TODAY 😅! This is brilliant, and it's always refreshing to hear something new to ones' ears.
Most of this show is from their first three records, the Howard Levy days 89-92. Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Flight of the Cosmic Hippo and UFOTOFU are their first three and by far my favorites. That's why I love this performance so much.
I'm critiquing now. when I watched them the first time, I was loving the perfection of the band, at the very top with other top top musicians. I really liked the melodic creations of these guys. Watching this fine video has me saying-that harmonica /piano player gets sounds and notes like I've never heard from a one key short scale harmonica. The bass layer shows how easy it is to play bass because he always flows and it's natural, after years of practicing and inspiration. The drummer , playing his own creation, truly is the master of His instrument. That 'Banjo' player somehow learned to play top notch banjo, but also his own 'new banjo'. He broke out of the box of simply 'banjo'. The group is always tight. I couldn't describe the music to give it justice. But it is a mix of styles , forms, rhythms, ...but it becomes their creation.
Ok, so I am 65 and remember Bela when he was a kid playing with New Grass Revival. He has evolved that mountain music instrument into a cutting edge sound that spans many genres. Along the way he has attracted musicians who want to experiment outside the box and create something unique. What can you say about Victor Wooten that isn't being said everywhere. He deserves every accolade he receives. His brother Roy "Futureman" Wooten is equally talented but on another level. An innovator who creates a driving percussion sound with a box full of transistors and buttons. I keep listening then suddenly it dawns on me that this is a guy tapping on a box making those great drum sounds. Howard Levy on the harmonica was great to hear but sometimes stopped the groove of a tune for a second but each harmonica lick was done tastefully and with high skill. I can't wait to hear what is coming down the pike.
He's been my hero since I was a kid. I'm a banjo player but nothing close to comparable and one of my best memories was being able to play the banjo on the same stage he played the night before back in high school.
i grew up with BF and the flecktones and it will never disappoint, some of the greatest musicians to ever live. so glad youtube exists so we can all appreciate them together
Been such a fan of these guys since almost the beginning. There's always at least one moment in the performance where my jaw drops because something defies physics or just builds to an amazing musical moment. So fun. Bela continues to get better somehow. But dear lord...Howard Levy. He provided the "I don't think anyone can do that in the world," moment in this one.
"Howard Levy. He provided the "I don't think anyone can do that in the world," moment in this one." so. . . which moment?!?! I'm listening at work, can't focus the whole time, so I don't want to miss it!
man, Vic and Roy Wooten go head to head, I'm so lucky to live in this time Howard is killing it and Bela is just grooving I think I was born at exactly the right date to appreciate this. Sucks to be young, they'll have to keep digging out this gem;.
l had the pleasure of seeing BF and the Flecktones on the Big Island of Hawaii years ago ,after the show the band sat on the edge of the stage and talked story with anyone who came up....a real down home group....l still have all their autographs on their 3 CD album... Mahalo Nui gentalmen....Christo
JUL 1 2018 Béla Fleck and the Flecktones at Festival International de Jazz de Montréal 2018 Frontiers - 0:46 Flying Saucer Dudes - 7:45 Magic Fingers - 13:41 Mars Needs Women - 22:44 Sex in a Pan - 32:48 Life in Eleven - 42:02 "Futureman Solo" - 52:26 Hurricane Camille - 55:14 Sunset Road - 1:04:37 Juno - 1:16:03 The Sinister Minister - 1:23:03 Flight of the Cosmic Hippo - 1:32:18
Len I was PRAYING someone would have listed the set list.... AND... I’ve been praying for about 20 years for the The Fleckers to record an “old school” feeling show that specifically included “The Sinister Minister”.... my all time fav... and my inspiration to.... well... A LOT (including listen to everyone who kept telling me I played guitar like a bassist and needed to try picking one up and see.... haven’t looked back since! And I’m about to watch/listen to it in about 5 minutes, here for the first time... ps. I’ve been begging everyone for a video (low definition, no definition... I don’t care) of The Live Art show. If you happen to know if there is a video of that show.... we NEED it to move forward on 3-4 projects that require that production show.
@@chubbeebubba You won't find a video of the Live Art show. It wouldn't surprise me if every song on those cds was recorded in a different place on a different date. That would be one helluva concert.
stevenqirkle Every now and then I’ll listen to Futureman play and try to picture how a drummer would play his parts on a normal drum set. His drum sounds have become more and more authentic sounding over the years. He’s a great timekeeper and seems to always let the band know where 1 is.
@@MrGreenAKAguci00 have you ever seen Roy play the drumitar live? He was doing it before wifi existed, so no, you're completely wrong;. Not concerned with dissing you, just relating my own personal experience.
Most intelligent group of musicians you will ever find. It's a complex style of many genres. What a style and sound innovation. I've seen them 5 times. Always a great experience.
I first saw these folks back in August of '91, at an outdoor music festival in the mountains above Squaw Valley, California (right after Cosmic Hippo was released) and I was somewhere beyond astounded!!! This configuration of the Flecktones is somewhere past magical. Almost too much talent on one stage!
Saw them on Dec 6th at the State Theater in New Brunswick NJ. They were incredible! Brought a friend who never heard of them and he left a big fan! I've seen Béla in Princeton NJ with Tony Trista and the Banjo Review and at the Count Basie Theater in Red Bank NJ with Chick Corea. He has never ever disappointed!!
I will be at the Stony Brook University show in March... My son and I see you everytime you come to the Island... He is an outstanding bass player himself but we marvel at each of you master-musicians.. My band also comes to be humbled.... Always a perfect show lads
No matter how many ways you say it these guys are the real damned deal! I've seen them many times in concert and I can tell you that I never get tired of what they play obviously these are four people who were meant to come together to play music!
grew up on these guys, realizing now that maybe one of the best things they did was combine the deep groove elements that underly both gospel and americana cultural trajectories in the USA in a seamless feel
It's so great to see Howard Levy playing with Fleck again - while I absolutely love Jeff Coffin, as I've played sax for 30 years, there is something incredibly special about the sound Howard brings to the group. Dare I say there isn't a group on earth with more raw talent than these guys, you have arguably the greatest banjo player alive, the greatest bassist alive and one of the greatest harmonica players. Futureman, while the weakest in the band, is still one of the most talent drummers on the planet. I remember the first time I heard Sinister Minister in college in the early nineties, completely changed how I thought about jazz and specifically banjo.
My thoughts exactly. When I heard the band was reuniting with its original lineup I was overjoyed. Saw them play that first tour, and the night of that concert is just about the happiest night of my life. The music made me, quite literally, ecstatic.
Don't forget McCandless, my personal favorite woodwind player especially on oboe (which he doesn't play with Bela for whatever reason). I love Bela, don't get me wrong, but there's so few banjo players outside their narrow bluegrass that that makes him the biggest fish in a VERY small pond. Take keyboards: Cory Henry? Hiromi Uehara? I'm sorry, Futureman is shockingly good at what he does but I just want to hear acoustic drums with this quality band. Steve Smith? Jojo Mayers? It's more than the weakest link, for me it's the failed link. For all I know he'd be great in the same role on actual drums.
@@ekkabamm1870 to be clear, synthetic drums being less than the band deserves. My problem's more with the instrument than the musician; for all I know he'd be stellar on a real drum kit.
When everything is being done and all the notes are played Jazz is stepping in and putting it up a notch. Bella rocks and Victor is amazing and I just jazz it. Feeling super listening to it.
More people need to get up and dance at Bela shows, I always feel like such a hippie when I'm one of the few in the audience dancing because he has shows that are so nice it feels like you're going to the ballet.
I am a big fan of the earlier Flecktones with Howard Levy, own their first three CDs. I was very happy to find this concert video here a short time ago. The whole band is awesome and Levy is unbelievably amazing. Still can't figure out how that darn drumitar works!
William Gerlach In case you didn’t hear, the original Flecktones recorded an album when they reunited several years ago. It’s called, “Rocket Science.” I highly recommend it.
saw them last night in nyc--one of the most incredibly tight and consistent bands you can see...a musical eargasm from start to end--so glad to be able to see the original line-up and i hope they have 30 more years in them!
Great concert, thanks for posting. Amazing playing & listening. Love the "tradition" reference from Fiddler on the Roof at 34:34. Among many other "nods" throughout!
@@scottdorfler2551 John Popper IS incredible at hiss style, yes, but he’s not anywhere near Howard Levy. NO ONE is. Howard is in his own incredible catagory of his own creation!
Trying to be happy every second and succeed to 90+% and music helps me with the rest. Thankful for Bela and Victor and the upload. Thumbs up and I will be back.
WOW great band with many cool instruments and i must say that this video has great audio quality! :) I came here to see Victor but oh man was i impressed of everyone in this band,great music,thanks! :)
I love this band!!! I got to see them on their last tour a few years ago but they didn’t play the opening song from this video. I would’ve loved to have seen/heard that! It was still a fabulous show nonetheless!! I got to see them at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN of all places.
I saw them three times live. Damn. These are among the finest musicians on Earth...past, present and future. Love that Howard Levy is in this lineup (loved Jeff Coffin too).
Sooo. What comments could one make on this performance. This is music (live music) of the highest existing level. I wont besmirch other bands that people compare them to because there is no comparison. Who ever played music like this of this caliber on a harnonica?? (not rhetorical, please answer for me). Bela, "effortless". Victor, "phenomenal" in every sense of the word, pure genius, talent of the highest level. Future man.......unreal. these guys put everyone in their place, well beneath.
I feel sorry for people who think about music in terms of calibers, and who rank bands and musicians as above or below others. It's the people who think about the way music makes them feel and how it was made that I like to jam with
Hooray! Hooray! I got to see these guys on November 22 in Birmingham, AL. It was easily one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to. I saw them a couple of times around ’93-‘94 and I saw them at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN a few years ago but they were on fire in B’ham!! What’s more is all four members came out after the show and sat on the edge of the stage while they took pictures and signed autographs!!! I couldn’t believe it!! I think Futureman would’ve been happy to talk about James Brown and his connection with Stravinksy all night and I would’ve been happy to listen! I managed to get a setlist and they signed it!! What a night!! Here’s the setlist for 11.22: Frontiers Blu-bop Star of the County Down Sex In A Pan Life In Eleven Sunset Road Stomping Grounds (intermission) Flying Saucer Dudes Half Moon Bay Turtle Rock Jeckyll and Hyde (And Ted and Alice) Sweet Pomegranates (Encore) Juno The Sinister Minister Highlights: Futureman’s jazz waltz on Half Moon Bay, the entire performance of Sweet Pomegranates, all 4 solos, a surprise performance of Stomping Grounds, and of course, The Sinister Minister. I posted the setlist at setlist.fm.
I saw the Wooten Brothers band in Houston at the N.O jazz festival.... Victor is unique. The only time I heard blue Grass was the Beverly Hillbillies theme! I have all the discography of the group and solo albums. Bela sent me down to Rabbi 🕳️. Now I have a box set of Flatt and Scrugs. Bela expanded my musical horizons 😊
It's just STUNNING to know that... In the midst of all the brilliant musicianship on display here... Harmonica player Howard Levy is playing a DIATONIC HARP! I'm in AWE!!!!!
On at least one tune he's using a chromatic harp...you can see his thumb working the button at 18:42. There's no way you can get that type of harmonic capability with a diatonic. That said, he's an awesome harp player! Amazingly inventive and original.
@@Sam-hf8nq I have a friend Ivor who plays Gypsy Jazz on diatonic harp. And I don't mean just 'Minor Swing' in basic A minor. He does things like 'Douce Ambience'- G minor, but then that B part has Abm and then Am... all on diatonic. It's amazing. I've asked him how he does it, but it all gets very technical about overblows and stuff that I don't really understand (I glaze over, tbh!), but it's not fudging it, either. Vicious practice regime though to do it. As soon as I heard Howard there I thought- "that's like what Ivor does!"
@@Sam-hf8nq No disrespect, But I believe if one looks closely, one can see the entire edge of the harp... no button. I have seen him play every possible note in the chromatic scale on a properly set up Hohner Marine Band harp (SPAH convention www.spah.org/ ). He mentions his gear on his website www.levyland.com/harpshop/. The double reed harps make some things easier, but it is basically just huge skill: Draw bends, blow bends, over blows. all really hard stuff for us mortals, but this is his world.
Very great...! Thanxxx for sooo much inspiration....! Victor, you are one of the greatest! And Roy, very innovativ - great respect from a drummer colleague. And Bela and Howard - I don't like banjo and harmonica - until today - but in your context it is very special and unique. It brought me a lot of joy to listen. Great musicians...
God Bless these Flyin' Hippos. I saw the Toronto Danforth show right before this I believe or right after. Same except for 2 tunes. I never think they can out due the last performance but dog nabbit, they seem to find a way. A true musical treasure that keeps on giving.
Mega virtuosos jamming for our pleasure and experience. This is as sweet at the music gets so drink it in. This is where freedom meets inspiration. Bless them all for sharing this wonderful art with us.
Have seen them many times miss them coming around. Best band ever live. Soooooo much tallent up there, just crazy. Saw Bela & his wife a few years ago and introduced him to my kids like I knew him. I said "Boys this is my friend Bela the best banjo pickers in the world." I'm sure they forgot by now but I never will......Just saw they will be in Savannah in April benn years can't wait!
These guys tick all the boxes for me, eclectic, perhaps as far as calling it odd, twisted even, using the whole bag of tricks to get every possible sound out of whatever they are pecking on, creativity beyond the stratosphere, incomparable technical skills. What more is there to say but I like it. Oh and thanks for what you do.
Their story is one you wouldn't believe if it was a novel. Bela was doing a "banjo special" for a televised music series that included him solo, with an Asian string quartet, and with the "Flecktones" although they weren't billed that way for the show. The original group, together here, had never met until the afternoon of the show. Bela had heard of this guy in who played piano and a crazy diatonic harmonica and asked Howard Levy to be part of the show. The producer suggested he contact this bass player he'd heard was doing really different stuff and Victor auditioned over the phone to Bela and then when Bela said all he needed was a drummer, Victor said you gotta meet my brother. They had a brief jam together before the show and then just destroyed the audience with music no one had ever heard before. It was magic and the lucky audience will never forget it. Six months or so later their debut album came out. One of our truly favorite bands of all time. Kudos to those responsible for this video.
awesome!! thanks mate
Do you know if there is video of that first performance?
Here's that original Lonesome Pine special video... the "Flecktones" appear halfway through, but listen to all of it! th-cam.com/video/tfz0aGKEYEU/w-d-xo.html
Frontiers - 0:46
Flying Saucer Dudes - 7:45
Magic Fingers - 13:41
Mars Needs Women - 22:44
Sex in a Pan - 32:48
Life in Eleven - 42:02
"Futureman Solo" - 52:26
Hurricane Camille - 55:14
Sunset Road - 1:04:37
Juno - 1:16:03
The Sinister Minister - 1:23:03
Flight of the Cosmic Hippo - 1:32:18
Thanks a lot😊
Roy Wooten doesn't get nearly the respect he deserves.
Definitely... Perhaps it is due to the fact that he plays a lot on a medium no one is familiar with.
Yeah, Flashahol is right. Drums and percussion are such primal and usually visual instruments. We're just used to seeing stuff hit. I'm a drummer. I can hear what he's doing conceptually and it's great, it's fantastic, but even while watching him I'm internally visualizing him sitting behind a kit of drums. I can best relate to the complexity of what he's doing through the visual medium of a drum set which is the only thing at least secondarily relevant to me. Firstly being the sound. I'm never going to play Synthaxe, nor does it appear as challenging as a drum set. I could be wrong. He's definitely a maverick for going that route.
Because he´s from the future, nobody understands him. I see magic
@@rembeadgc I believe if he had a young protege applying this to modern music, they could get a lot more recognition if they really sold it. I agree that there's a disconnect between the energy musically vs visually. Basically he needs some "Rock star moves"!!!
He's amazing, but, this is a problem for all bass players don't you think?
A lot of people in the comments seem to know this band already for a long time. I consider myself a real music fan for many years now, and found out about them TODAY 😅! This is brilliant, and it's always refreshing to hear something new to ones' ears.
Most of this show is from their first three records, the Howard Levy days 89-92. Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Flight of the Cosmic Hippo and UFOTOFU are their first three and by far my favorites. That's why I love this performance so much.
Been listening to them since high school, I’m 42
I discover new (to me) stuff on TH-cam all the time -- love it!
I still have a cosmic hippo plushie on my desk, I caught at a concert back in the mid 90s
Haha, welcome to the club. Some great tunes here.
This drumitar is unbelievable!
I spent half the concert wishing they’d show the drummer. I have never seen or heard of one in my life.
Victors brother--goes by the name Futureman--he built the machine he uses himself.
@@sjuozhunki synthaxe drumitar
Futureman - my all-time favorite pirate!
Roberto Clemente
Howard Levy inspired me to play all harmonica keys songs with only one harmonica key...c
Yeah, I'd say it's still a toss-up with Steve the Pirate ...
I got to meet Victor Wooten in Portland, Maine 7 years ago. My wife bought me tickets to see him for Father's Day. He's a very nice and humble man,
His brother too, Futureman 👥
Both Victor and his brother Roy are true musical geniuses of the highest regard. 🎉
I'm critiquing now. when I watched them the first time, I was loving the perfection of the band, at the very top with other top top musicians. I really liked the melodic creations of these guys. Watching this fine video has me saying-that harmonica /piano player gets sounds and notes like I've never heard from a one key short scale harmonica. The bass layer shows how easy it is to play bass because he always flows and it's natural, after years of practicing and inspiration. The drummer , playing his own creation, truly is the master of His instrument. That 'Banjo' player somehow learned to play top notch banjo, but also his own 'new banjo'. He broke out of the box of simply 'banjo'. The group is always tight. I couldn't describe the music to give it justice. But it is a mix of styles , forms, rhythms, ...but it becomes their creation.
This music is the only thing that can escape a black hole.
Ok, so I am 65 and remember Bela when he was a kid playing with New Grass Revival. He has evolved that mountain music instrument into a cutting edge sound that spans many genres. Along the way he has attracted musicians who want to experiment outside the box and create something unique.
What can you say about Victor Wooten that isn't being said everywhere. He deserves every accolade he receives. His brother Roy "Futureman" Wooten is equally talented but on another level. An innovator who creates a driving percussion sound with a box full of transistors and buttons. I keep listening then suddenly it dawns on me that this is a guy tapping on a box making those great drum sounds.
Howard Levy on the harmonica was great to hear but sometimes stopped the groove of a tune for a second but each harmonica lick was done tastefully and with high skill.
I can't wait to hear what is coming down the pike.
He's been my hero since I was a kid. I'm a banjo player but nothing close to comparable and one of my best memories was being able to play the banjo on the same stage he played the night before back in high school.
Well Randolph, if you measure insightfulness in 'likes' - fuck it, you fit right in here. Have a happy internet.
i grew up with BF and the flecktones and it will never disappoint, some of the greatest musicians to ever live.
so glad youtube exists so we can all appreciate them together
Roy futureman is indeed a genius thanks to Bela Fleck & the Flecktones for all the amazingly great music. Thanks.!Love you guys.
Been such a fan of these guys since almost the beginning. There's always at least one moment in the performance where my jaw drops because something defies physics or just builds to an amazing musical moment. So fun. Bela continues to get better somehow. But dear lord...Howard Levy. He provided the "I don't think anyone can do that in the world," moment in this one.
Good stuff 👏 👍 👌 💪 🙌
"Howard Levy. He provided the "I don't think anyone can do that in the world," moment in this one."
so. . . which moment?!?! I'm listening at work, can't focus the whole time, so I don't want to miss it!
same. As a bass player since the 80s been following these guys for a lifetime. They still make a jaw drop. WTF?
@@redbeard16 I'm barely halfway through, myself... but I think he may be referring to the solo at 41:42
Incredible harmonica Skills!!!
man, Vic and Roy Wooten go head to head, I'm so lucky to live in this time Howard is killing it and Bela is just grooving I think I was born at exactly the right date to appreciate this. Sucks to be young, they'll have to keep digging out this gem;.
l had the pleasure of seeing BF and the Flecktones on the Big Island of Hawaii years ago ,after the show the band sat on the edge of the stage and talked story with anyone who came up....a real down home group....l still have all their autographs on their 3 CD album... Mahalo Nui gentalmen....Christo
God bless you Howard! Glad to see you with Flecktones again!
JUL 1 2018
Béla Fleck and the Flecktones at Festival International de Jazz de Montréal 2018
Frontiers - 0:46
Flying Saucer Dudes - 7:45
Magic Fingers - 13:41
Mars Needs Women - 22:44
Sex in a Pan - 32:48
Life in Eleven - 42:02
"Futureman Solo" - 52:26
Hurricane Camille - 55:14
Sunset Road - 1:04:37
Juno - 1:16:03
The Sinister Minister - 1:23:03
Flight of the Cosmic Hippo - 1:32:18
Len I was PRAYING someone would have listed the set list.... AND... I’ve been praying for about 20 years for the The Fleckers to record an “old school” feeling show that specifically included “The Sinister Minister”.... my all time fav... and my inspiration to.... well... A LOT (including listen to everyone who kept telling me I played guitar like a bassist and needed to try picking one up and see.... haven’t looked back since! And I’m about to watch/listen to it in about 5 minutes, here for the first time... ps. I’ve been begging everyone for a video (low definition, no definition... I don’t care) of The Live Art show. If you happen to know if there is a video of that show.... we NEED it to move forward on 3-4 projects that require that production show.
@@chubbeebubba Live Art was a compilation of songs from a lot of different shows.
@@chubbeebubba You won't find a video of the Live Art show. It wouldn't surprise me if every song on those cds was recorded in a different place on a different date. That would be one helluva concert.
thank you, was looking for this
Thank you 🙏😎
That drumitar is awesome. Close your eyes and it’s ridiculous how much it sounds like a real drum kit.
stevenqirkle Every now and then I’ll listen to Futureman play and try to picture how a drummer would play his parts on a normal drum set. His drum sounds have become more and more authentic sounding over the years. He’s a great timekeeper and seems to always let the band know where 1 is.
I’ve been listening to Flecktones CDs for a long time (never saw them live), and I always thought it was a drum set.
Well some of the sounds you hear are samples and some are actual drums and some are drums played via the controller remotely.
Phil Collins should use it, considering his back illness.
@@MrGreenAKAguci00 have you ever seen Roy play the drumitar live? He was doing it before wifi existed, so no, you're completely wrong;. Not concerned with dissing you, just relating my own personal experience.
Seen them , I think 7 times, they never disappoint, All of them innovators and masters of their instruments
I saw these guys at SxSW in the 80’s after their first album came out. My friend and I were expecting straight-up bluegrass. They blew our socks off.
they are just grooving in every second, they could have a concert of 6 hours and no one would ever want to leave
the freedom that the label 'jazz' gives musicians like this is manna from heaven to them, and the audience, they love it.
they all compliment each other so well, so glad we get to experience this in our lifetime
This performance made me weep tears of excellence several times. Music is intended to be THIS GOOD!
Remarkable stuff, Victor has the chops and still holds his brother in higher regard than himself
Oh my! All of these guys are incredible. I hadn't seen Howard Levy before. That guy's all over the place! Just fantastic!
They're a group of incredible musicians!
Most intelligent group of musicians you will ever find. It's a complex style of many genres. What a style and sound innovation. I've seen them 5 times. Always a great experience.
I first saw these folks back in August of '91, at an outdoor music festival in the mountains above Squaw Valley, California (right after Cosmic Hippo was released) and I was somewhere beyond astounded!!! This configuration of the Flecktones is somewhere past magical. Almost too much talent on one stage!
What a GREAT performance! Thank you for posting this.
Thank you so much for posting this!! I’m enjoying it immensely!!!!!
if i were a rich man. howard levy you are a musical genius!!
I love these guys. Thank you!
Bela Fleck, what a genius. This band is so awesome to see live!!
I am in awe! Thank you for sharing their talent with us!!!!!!!
Saw them last night at Strathmore Hall in Maryland. They are four severely talented weirdos!
Ha ha.
The best musicians usually are.
I had tickets to this... and got sick! Thank you for posting it!
Organic flowing spiritual music from the souls performed by masters of their craft
Saw them on Dec 6th at the State Theater in New Brunswick NJ. They were incredible! Brought a friend who never heard of them and he left a big fan! I've seen Béla in Princeton NJ with Tony Trista and the Banjo Review and at the Count Basie Theater in Red Bank NJ with Chick Corea. He has never ever disappointed!!
I will be at the Stony Brook University show in March... My son and I see you everytime you come to the Island... He is an outstanding bass player himself but we marvel at each of you master-musicians.. My band also comes to be humbled.... Always a perfect show lads
No matter how many ways you say it these guys are the real damned deal! I've seen them many times in concert and I can tell you that I never get tired of what they play obviously these are four people who were meant to come together to play music!
That was an amazing show from beginning to end!!! They just happened to play 4 of my favorites in the same show.
grew up on these guys, realizing now that maybe one of the best things they did was combine the deep groove elements that underly both gospel and americana cultural trajectories in the USA in a seamless feel
Really amazing! Seen both lineups, love them both!
What an amazing concert! Thanks for posting :-).
Whenever I see these guys I am most amazed by the drumitar. Sounds so realistic.
The Masters at work.....sublime!
It's so great to see Howard Levy playing with Fleck again - while I absolutely love Jeff Coffin, as I've played sax for 30 years, there is something incredibly special about the sound Howard brings to the group. Dare I say there isn't a group on earth with more raw talent than these guys, you have arguably the greatest banjo player alive, the greatest bassist alive and one of the greatest harmonica players. Futureman, while the weakest in the band, is still one of the most talent drummers on the planet. I remember the first time I heard Sinister Minister in college in the early nineties, completely changed how I thought about jazz and specifically banjo.
I saw "Future Man" play conventional drum kit with Coffins' Motet around 2014 and he just freakin' killed it...the whole group on stage was explosive!
My thoughts exactly. When I heard the band was reuniting with its original lineup I was overjoyed. Saw them play that first tour, and the night of that concert is just about the happiest night of my life. The music made me, quite literally, ecstatic.
Don't forget McCandless, my personal favorite woodwind player especially on oboe (which he doesn't play with Bela for whatever reason). I love Bela, don't get me wrong, but there's so few banjo players outside their narrow bluegrass that that makes him the biggest fish in a VERY small pond. Take keyboards: Cory Henry? Hiromi Uehara? I'm sorry, Futureman is shockingly good at what he does but I just want to hear acoustic drums with this quality band. Steve Smith? Jojo Mayers? It's more than the weakest link, for me it's the failed link. For all I know he'd be great in the same role on actual drums.
I agree with everything you say. But, Futureman being "the weakest"? I don't think so. I'd love to work with him.
@@ekkabamm1870 to be clear, synthetic drums being less than the band deserves. My problem's more with the instrument than the musician; for all I know he'd be stellar on a real drum kit.
When everything is being done and all the notes are played Jazz is stepping in and putting it up a notch. Bella rocks and Victor is amazing and I just jazz it. Feeling super listening to it.
I’ve been a fan for many years of their amazing music!
This is amazing. Killer players pumping out phenomenal music.
I saw these guys live back in 99. Blew my mind then. Still does.
More people need to get up and dance at Bela shows, I always feel like such a hippie when I'm one of the few in the audience dancing because he has shows that are so nice it feels like you're going to the ballet.
Well it's really funny at The Wooten's shows, because that's a soul rock review, and all the white people are "jelly-fishing"...
Or they could enjoy music however they want to, expressing yourself how others say to isn't even expressing yourself. Enjoy your way and let others
How do you dance to a 4 minute free form jazz solo like in Hurricane Camille? You saw them when they opened for the Dead didn't you?
My favorite live shows. Thanks Bela and all
Love this session, these guys are so just tight and crisp, thanks for shining a spotlight on them with this recording...very cool!!
Ive listened to this countless times. I wish there were more recordings like this of some of their other earlier stuff
masterclass! so good, and so down to earth! very cool :-)
Futureman got a fancy new whatsit! This is so so so sweet. Thank you!
all the lovely positive comments only add to this great musical discovery!!! ❤ need more peace and gratitude in musical communities love it!
These guys leave me without words.
I am a big fan of the earlier Flecktones with Howard Levy, own their first three CDs. I was very happy to find this concert video here a short time ago. The whole band is awesome and Levy is unbelievably amazing. Still can't figure out how that darn drumitar works!
The drumitar is 'just' triggers that fire synthesizer sounds. What he does with it is just completely amazing...
William Gerlach In case you didn’t hear, the original Flecktones recorded an album when they reunited several years ago. It’s called, “Rocket Science.” I highly recommend it.
Love these great musicians!!! Love their style-that never goes out of style.
2018, and they still sound perfect!
I saw them in Oklahoma City a few years ago. Fantastic concert.
saw them last night in nyc--one of the most incredibly tight and consistent bands you can see...a musical eargasm from start to end--so glad to be able to see the original line-up and i hope they have 30 more years in them!
Was at Town Hall too. Saw them about a dozen times in the 90s. Was amazed to see they still have it after all these years.
@@scottschleifer8739 I think they're better after all these years.
Great concert, thanks for posting. Amazing playing & listening. Love the "tradition" reference from Fiddler on the Roof at 34:34. Among many other "nods" throughout!
So many gifted and talented innovators and pioneers in one band, it’s astounding
Howard is in a class of his own. He’s completely unique on the harmonica, a singular, incredible voice.
I've actually heard people clueless enough to say that John Poplar from Blues Travler is better. NOT!!!! Howard is in a class of one.
@Scott Dorfler They're both great in their own way ...
@@scottdorfler2551 John Popper IS incredible at hiss style, yes, but he’s not anywhere near Howard Levy. NO ONE is. Howard is in his own incredible catagory of his own creation!
I have listened too alot of different Jazz groups & styles. I never hear this until today. Been to alot of live shows! Very nice!!!
Trying to be happy every second and succeed to 90+% and music helps me with the rest. Thankful for Bela and Victor and the upload. Thumbs up and I will be back.
Superb band and a nice mix of instruments.
WOW great band with many cool instruments and i must say that this video has great audio quality! :)
I came here to see Victor but oh man was i impressed of everyone in this band,great music,thanks! :)
my Favourite band of my life, so glad to see Howard Levy back
I love this band!!! I got to see them on their last tour a few years ago but they didn’t play the opening song from this video. I would’ve loved to have seen/heard that! It was still a fabulous show nonetheless!! I got to see them at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN of all places.
Excellent music and all geniuses at work.
Space is a lonely place is my all time favorite instrumental. No question. Never heard a live version before. Loving it!!!
that was so great. bela and the flecktones are the best band .
Must go make popcorn... my ass ain't movin' fer 2 hrs! Thanks for posting!
I saw them three times live. Damn. These are among the finest musicians on Earth...past, present and future. Love that Howard Levy is in this lineup (loved Jeff Coffin too).
Sooo. What comments could one make on this performance. This is music (live music) of the highest existing level. I wont besmirch other bands that people compare them to because there is no comparison. Who ever played music like this of this caliber on a harnonica?? (not rhetorical, please answer for me). Bela, "effortless". Victor, "phenomenal" in every sense of the word, pure genius, talent of the highest level. Future man.......unreal. these guys put everyone in their place, well beneath.
Agreed!
I feel sorry for people who think about music in terms of calibers, and who rank bands and musicians as above or below others. It's the people who think about the way music makes them feel and how it was made that I like to jam with
Love this band. Aa far as other great music on harmonica, might want to check out Toots Theilman
OUTSTANDING!!! Can never get enough of these guys 🙏🏽👍🏽🤗✌🏽
Wow ...speechless👏👏👍👍
great music, the best musicians, always fresh ideas and perfect sound
Awesome show from the first note to the last!!!!
I saw these guys in 03 at bonnaroo..they were the 1st band i saw that weekend.It was amazing.
So much to intake and stunning talents, music, ear candy and mental gymnastics...WOW!
Groupe fantastique ! Avec un bassiste extraordinaire !
What amazing music. This music fills me with joy. I love jazz, and all music for that matter.
You can’t stop listening to this band.
Definitivamente ,son de otro planeta . Mil bendiciones. Magistral!
Hooray! Hooray! I got to see these guys on November 22 in Birmingham, AL. It was easily one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to. I saw them a couple of times around ’93-‘94 and I saw them at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN a few years ago but they were on fire in B’ham!! What’s more is all four members came out after the show and sat on the edge of the stage while they took pictures and signed autographs!!! I couldn’t believe it!! I think Futureman would’ve been happy to talk about James Brown and his connection with Stravinksy all night and I would’ve been happy to listen! I managed to get a setlist and they signed it!! What a night!!
Here’s the setlist for 11.22:
Frontiers
Blu-bop
Star of the County Down
Sex In A Pan
Life In Eleven
Sunset Road
Stomping Grounds
(intermission)
Flying Saucer Dudes
Half Moon Bay
Turtle Rock
Jeckyll and Hyde (And Ted and Alice)
Sweet Pomegranates
(Encore)
Juno
The Sinister Minister
Highlights: Futureman’s jazz waltz on Half Moon Bay, the entire performance of Sweet Pomegranates, all 4 solos, a surprise performance of Stomping Grounds, and of course, The Sinister Minister. I posted the setlist at setlist.fm.
I saw the Wooten Brothers band in Houston at the N.O jazz festival.... Victor is unique. The only time I heard blue Grass was the Beverly Hillbillies theme! I have all the discography of the group and solo albums. Bela sent me down to Rabbi 🕳️. Now I have a box set of Flatt and Scrugs. Bela expanded my musical horizons 😊
It's just STUNNING to know that... In the midst of all the brilliant musicianship on display here... Harmonica player Howard Levy is playing a DIATONIC HARP!
I'm in AWE!!!!!
he'd have to be to play this stuff
On at least one tune he's using a chromatic harp...you can see his thumb working the button at 18:42. There's no way you can get that type of harmonic capability with a diatonic. That said, he's an awesome harp player! Amazingly inventive and original.
Everyone please check out Ginger Baker Trio falling off the roof with Bill Frisell and special guest Bela Fleck. Amazing!!
@@Sam-hf8nq I have a friend Ivor who plays Gypsy Jazz on diatonic harp. And I don't mean just 'Minor Swing' in basic A minor. He does things like 'Douce Ambience'- G minor, but then that B part has Abm and then Am... all on diatonic. It's amazing.
I've asked him how he does it, but it all gets very technical about overblows and stuff that I don't really understand (I glaze over, tbh!), but it's not fudging it, either. Vicious practice regime though to do it.
As soon as I heard Howard there I thought- "that's like what Ivor does!"
@@Sam-hf8nq No disrespect, But I believe if one looks closely, one can see the entire edge of the harp... no button. I have seen him play every possible note in the chromatic scale on a properly set up Hohner Marine Band harp (SPAH convention www.spah.org/ ). He mentions his gear on his website www.levyland.com/harpshop/. The double reed harps make some things easier, but it is basically just huge skill: Draw bends, blow bends, over blows. all really hard stuff for us mortals, but this is his world.
Very great...! Thanxxx for sooo much inspiration....! Victor, you are one of the greatest! And Roy, very innovativ - great respect from a drummer colleague. And Bela and Howard - I don't like banjo and harmonica - until today - but in your context it is very special and unique. It brought me a lot of joy to listen. Great musicians...
This is so soothing. My god
THe Flecktones was my introduction to the jazz world 20 years ago, watching this makes me happy.
🙏🎶🎵📲
es impresionante la atencion que le prestan los camarografos a roy wooten, simplemente es un musico increible igual que todos los wooten
What the did here is not easy. And I loved every second of it and color my life in their sound! ❤ 🔥 🎶
God Bless these Flyin' Hippos. I saw the Toronto Danforth show right before this I believe or right after. Same except for 2 tunes. I never think they can out due the last performance but dog nabbit, they seem to find a way. A true musical treasure that keeps on giving.
Mega virtuosos jamming for our pleasure and experience. This is as sweet at the music gets so drink it in. This is where freedom meets inspiration. Bless them all for sharing this wonderful art with us.
This is arguably the greatest gathering of musicians on the planet.
Forever arguable statement, but well placed.
Shocking virtuosity. Scary-unbelievable. Wooten-rootin'-tootin'. Could be the greatest playing
ever?
Have seen them many times miss them coming around. Best band ever live. Soooooo much tallent up there, just crazy. Saw Bela & his wife a few years ago and introduced him to my kids like I knew him. I said "Boys this is my friend Bela the best banjo pickers in the world." I'm sure they forgot by now but I never will......Just saw they will be in Savannah in April benn years can't wait!
These guys tick all the boxes for me, eclectic, perhaps as far as calling it odd, twisted even, using the whole bag of tricks to get every possible sound out of whatever they are pecking on, creativity beyond the stratosphere, incomparable technical skills. What more is there to say but I like it. Oh and thanks for what you do.
Looking forward to the 11JUN23 milwaukee show! About time you boys came back to wisco! Cheers and TY for the sick jazzy jams you guys rock