Customer Reviews

Bela Fleck: The Bluegrass Sessions: Acoustic Planet #2 (DVD-Audio)

5 star:		(53)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This album is a joy from start to finish. As much as I enjoy the innovative work Bela Fleck has done in the past decade with the Flecktones and pushing the boundaries for the banjo as a lead instrument outside the context of bluegrass music, I have always had a passion for straight ahead bluegrass music. Over the past twenty-plus years, Fleck as earned the right to be mentioned in the same company as Earl Scruggs, J.D. Crowe and Tony Trischka as a pioneer of the banjo. Beginning with his formative years alongside mandolinist Jack Tottle in Tasty Licks to joining Sam Bush and John Cowan in the Newgrass Revival, Fleck has showed impeccable taste in his playing.

On The Bluegrass Sessions, Fleck has collected a virtual Who's Who of bluegrass superstars: Tony Rice, Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush and a guest performance by Scruggs himself. But don't be misled by the album title. There are a only a handful of songs that might qualify as traditional bluegrass--"Blue Mountain Hop," "Polka on the Banjo" (the only vocal--provided by John Hartford), "Ode to Earl," "Home Sweet Home" and "Foggy Mountain Special"--most of the album mines a new acoustic groove which melds bluegrass and jazz into a fusion long championed by Tony Rice and David Grisman. [In fact, in his liner notes Fleck recommends several albums including Rice's Manzanita and Grisman's The David Grisman Rounder Album.]

This is a wonderful collection and an excellent companion to Tales from the Acoustic Planet. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

I haven't missed a Bela in nearly 10 years now. I'm struck by the studied simplicity of Fleck's recordings. They sound just down-home simple until you begin to listen closely. Then you hear things that aren't so simple.

First, of course, is what you don't hear. You don't hear a single missed note, an unsubtle nuance, a line without shape. Unlike so much of post newgrass where speed is king, Fleck's recordings emphasize each musician's talents at phrasing. The masters of bluegrass phrasing are here: Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, Stuart Duncan, Vasser Clements, and, of course, Bela. Tony Rice reminds us why you don't need percussion in true bluegrass.

Second, you appreciate how intricately worked out these little pieces are. Take _When Joy Kills Sorrow_, for example. You have a drone, one-note bowed upright bass in the exposition (from the 12th century), you have chromatic modulations (jazz) which always resolve on the dominant or tonic (Baroque), and you get that canon (I lost count at six voices). Henry Purcell would have been thrilled to write that in 1690.

Laying over it all is Bela's gentle touch and tone. With such good humor, how can you not smile? A worthy successor to Drive. I only miss two things: the Mark Fox graphics on the Flecktones cover days, and Mark O'Conner not stopping by.

This is the one of the finest albums Bela Fleck has released in a long time ("Live Art" being the other finest in recent memory.)

First of all, it boasts an amazing guest roster including: Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Tony Rice, Mark Schatz, Vassar Clements, John Hartford, Earl Scruggs, Vince Gill, Tim O'Brien, Ricky Skaggs & more!

Not all of these people appear on every song, but what a dream lineup! (The only person missing is Del McCoury!)

"Tales from the Acoustic Planet 2" has a little taste of everything Fleck is known for. It has some solo banjo "Clarinet Polka", some more pensive slow numbers like "Over Grown Waltz", a little taste of the east "Katmandu", old-timey "Polka on the Banjo" and the downright weird "Do You Have Room?"

From the sentimental to the sublime and from the frentic to the silly...this disc amply displays why Fleck will go down in history as one of the most innovative artists of all time. He has completely deconstructed the notion of what one can do with a banjo all while having total mastery over its more traditional use. He can do it all: traditional bluegrass, jazz, Celtic, avante-garde, Asian folk music, and the list goes on.

Eventhough Bela Fleck's name is on the record, this isn't just his recording. Jerry Douglas' dobro (as always) is a welcome addition to the mix, and Sam Bush steps out for more than one nice mandolin solo. "Katmandu" showcases some of Fleck's more original ideas and "Blue Mountain Hop" shows that unique ability to take an interesting idea gleaned elsewhere to its most amazing possibilities.

I've always found Bela Fleck albums hard to review (which I believe is quite a good sign.) Pick this one up, you won't be sorry.

The Bluegrass Sessions is without a doubt one of the best bluegrass albums ever made. It is true that this is not straight traditional bluegrass; there are no vocals (except for "Polka on the Banjo" and the annoying interlude, "is there room in your heart") and the progressions and melodies go far beyond the usual 1,4,5. I have several friends who were converted into being bluegrass lovers because of this album. The musicianship is first-rate with each musician among the best in the field. I am particularly touched by Jerry Douglas' playing (Katmandu, Spanish Point). Of course all of the players exhibit unreal talent on this album, particularly in the rhythm section (has anybody tried to play rhythm like Tony Rice or Sam Bush? There may be other players who can top these guys in solos (maybe not Tony, but check out Chris Thiele from Nickel Creek to see who's boss on the mandolin) but nobody can touch them rhythmically). Basically, this album will take your breath away from the start; anyone with a good ear can tell that this album is golden.

Ever since his days as a teen-age banjo-picking phenom/enfant terrible, Bela Fleck has at the center of the newgrass vs. traditional bluegrass storm. He has taken the 5-string banjo to places heretofore unknown - bebop, rock, classical, and his unique musical vision that is The Flecktones. When Fleck applies his astonishing technique and compositional skills in a purely acoustic setting, it's a cause for celebration.

Such is the case with "Tales From the Acoustic Planet, Vol. 2." Bela assembles a terrific supporting band - Jerry Douglas, Tony Rice, old Tasty Licks buddy Mark Schatz, and the underrated Stewart Duncan - that delivers driving, haunting bluegrass music. I don't listen to this CD every day, but it's impossible for me to go through a day without "Buffalo Nickel" and "When Joy Kills Sorrow" running through my mind. At its best, the ensemble playing approaches that of "Strength in Numbers, with the exception of having Bela more out in front. Certainly there's nothing wrong with that. Bela also takes time to duet with Earl Scruggs on Earl's "Foggy Mountain Special" - this turns out to be great fun for both of these 5-string masters.

Still, this wouldn't be a Bela Fleck CD without some non-"grass" musical exploration; thus the inclusion of "Polka on the Banjo" (the only vocal, warmly and humourously delivered by the late John Hartford)and the truly remarkable "Clarinet Polka".

In my humble view, this is Bela's finest effort. Hope you agree.

This album illustrates the benefits of DVD Audio players in the first 15 seconds of the album. My sister turned me on to Bela Fleck. When she got home, I made her sit down, close her eyes, and imagine that Fleck and his friends were sitting in the room with her.

I can't describe her reaction as a banjo played beside her, another made a slide in front of her, and a guy started laughing to her right. My reaction? My jaw dropped! I sat there for the entire album enjoying music for music's sake for the first time in a long time. The songs are exquisite.

I like that Fleck added a few Polka songs to the album. Having lived in Minnesota, I fell in love with polka. Living in Virginia, I am expanding into bluegrass. This merges the two beautifully. I never would have expected it.

Please keep in mind that this review is written after listening on a DVD Audio player, not a standard DVD player.

This is the CD that was singlehandedly responsible for revealing my long-hidden love of bluegrass music to me. I can listen to it in any season or mood and at any time of day. Each performer on the CD has moved beyond mastery of his instrument to fusion with it, and the results are incredible to hear. My favorite track on the CD is "Buffalo Nickel," which combines a gorgeous wistful melody with a constantly shifting meter and an undercurrent of satisfaction. Other favorites include the rollicking opening track of "Blue Mountain Hop," the well-titled "When Joy Kills Sorrow," the lullaby favorite "The Over Grown Waltz," the deliciously fast ending track "Major Honker"...well, who am I kidding? The entire CD is amazing. It gets my highest recommendation. Don't waver. Buy it. You'll be glad you did.

Wow...this guy is always thinking outside the box. Tony Trischka mentored Bela and, although Tony's influences are audible, Bela has developed an amazing style all his own. Normally, Bela's work is a little too experimental/Jazz for my taste, but this CD is an exception. It is a collection of traditional bluegrass songs along with several original songs which are purely Fleck. They take the listener on an amazing journey through ever changing rhythms and twisting chord progressions, which are definitely not your grandfather's bluegrasses. The names of the musicians on this CD read like a Bluegrass dream team so the music is always smooth, professional and exciting. With the exception of a goofy poem reading, this is an altogether wonderful bluegrass experience along the lines of Fleck's earlier CD "Drive" from 1985 which I also highly recommend.

As any of you reading this know, Bela Fleck is a master banjoist, musician, composer, improviser, and band leader. He is as pure and skilled an artist as has ever lived, and everything he touches seems to turn to gold. This album is no exception; its weakest songs are merely excellent, instead of cathartic. The Bluegrass Sessions features several other masterful performers, including Jerry Douglas, Tony Rice, Sam Bush and others in a traditional yet still musically diverse setting. Everyone's performance is top-notch, and you'll find that this disc is very difficult to stop listening to. I really can't say enough good things about it. Just buy it, now. An excellent addition to any longtime Fleck or bluegrass fan's collection, and a great starting point for beginners.

I've recently become a big fan of Bela's after a friend loaned me a copy of his group the Flecktones "Live Art". One of my favorite cuts on that CD is "Cheeseballs in Cowtown" (no kidding) which is an amazing, high-energy bluegrass tune, which led me to seek out additional bluegrass CD's featuring Bela. I bought this one and have been playing it ever since. Bela seems to attract the most talented musicians and they seem to bring out the best in each other's playing, and have lots of fun in the process.