Béla Fleck and the Flecktones

I didn't notice a thread for this band so I thought I'd start one.

I've been really enjoying this band recently. I never dived into their music much, I casually listened to them years back, but never fully explored their music. Of course, Bela Fleck has always been on my radar, as he has performed with several jazz artists, as well as pop and rock artists. And of course, Victor Wooten is the man, I enjoy some of his solo albums very much.

The only album I owned was their most recent album Rocket Science; bought it when it came out, very good album. I recently found a few of the Flecktones' studio albums at a local shop for very cheap so I figured I'd pick them up. Well now I am trying to get all their albums eventually. My favorite album of theirs, so far, is Three Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, it has a great mix of fusion, bluegrass-jazz, and funk.

As the warmer months arrive, I usually get into jam bands like Phish and String Cheese Incident, and while I don't like to lump Béla Fleck and the Flecktones in that category, the heavy use of banjo and harmonica in their music gives off that summer-time feel that most jam bands give off. Of course, the band is jazz and jazz-fusion first and foremost, and Béla Fleck plays guitar as well on some tunes, and he is very good at it.

How does everyone else feel about the band? Doesn't seem like they get mentioned much around here.

my very limited experience (listened just a few albums)gave me impression they are unusual sounding ("country-jazz") band, some Americana spices,etc

Living in the US south, these guys are always around somewhere. A televised outdoor concert in the south is guaranteed to have the Flecktones on board, and this has been going on for quite a while. Having said that, I've always been impressed with them, but I never bought any albums. As Mike said, they are way more talented than the jam bands they get lumped with.

Edited by js - 14 Apr 2013 at 2:04pm

js wrote: Living in the US south, these guys are always around somewhere. A televised outdoor concert in the south is guaranteed to have the Flecktones on board, and this has been going on for quite a while. Having said that, I've always been impressed with them, but I never bought any albums. As Mike said, they are way more talented than the jam bands they get lumped with. You have to give credit to Bela for re-introducing the banjo. Young people in the south are showing a re-interest in the instrument, and not just country music fans either.

Agreed. I don't necessarily find 'country' in their music, but definitely bluegrass (which is fun music), a little Americana, and folk. Mixed with the funky bass of Victor Wooten and the experimental drum sounds from his brother, their music is quite rewarding if you really listen to it.

I simply can't get into these guys... I love many styles/genre of music comming from the USA, but country (and its derivatives) is simply not one of them... Actually I downright haave strong dislike of it 

Edited by Sean Trane - 15 Apr 2013 at 3:36am

Just noticed this thread and want to toss in my two cents.  Bela and his buddies are so unique as to discourage any and all labels being attached to them and that's what I like most about their music.  Their proficiency on their instruments is beyond question and their willingness to follow their muse wherever she leads is extremely inspiring.  I've reviewed several of their records on this site so they will explain my opinion of them better than this short blurb ever will.  I recommend "Outbound" (fitting title for these guys) to the uninitiated.  Not for all tastes but a treasure if it matches yours.