Customer Reviews

Drive

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

My brother and I popped this CD into the deck of a rented truck as we headed from Jackson, WY, out toward the Wind River Range. About three tracks into it, we realized we were going nearly 90 miles an hour. Our recognition of this fact perfectly coincided with a state trooper's recognition of us. All we could tell the guy was that we were blasting some incredible bluegrass and that its hypnotic power sort of caught us off guard. Sorry, officer. The cop looked at us for a minute, smiled, and gave us a firm warning to slow it down, and strolled back to his cruiser. We exhaled in relief. Then, the cop spun around just as he was about to get into his car and yelled, "I suggest you boys try some Perry Como!"

"Drive" is the tightest, most frenetic, river-water-rolling, sleekest, greatest frikkin' 'grass disc out there. Please listen responsibly.

I stumbled on Bela through a friend and this album by luck. If you can wear out a CD you better buy two and, yes, it deserves more than 5 stars. This is a kind of 'modern' bluegrass style, totally instrumental (no singing, thank you so very much), which is a total joy to listen to. If Bela would produce more albums of this type, I'd purchase everyone of them. It's not often that you can purchase a CD and say that you like every song on it but you will this one. If you like bluegrass, buy it. If you like 'some' bluegrass, buy it. If you're on the fence and not sure, like I was, BUY IT.

Bluegrass and Bluegrass-related music has take some fascinating turns over the last two decades, guided by some of the truly creative and accomplished musicians on the planet during this time. Bela Fleck is right near (or at) the top of this list of distinguished players/composers (also, see Jerry Douglas, Mark O'Conner, Tony Rice, Sam Bush, Edgar Meyer, David Grisman). "Drive", and Strength in Numbers' "The Telluride Sessions" are, in my opinion, the two most important and amazing instrumental "newgrass" releases of all time.

Bela Fleck's "Drive" release is obviously one of the greatest productions in this man's brilliant career. His choice of progressive-bluegrass musicians to accompany him here was every bit as respectable as the music itself. For example, the impeccable improvisation and signature "rhythm chopping" of Sam Bush is a priceless adornment to this acoustic layout. Also, the ability of Tony Rice to maintain that blues element in his hard flatpicking without damaging the spirit of the tune, makes any piece a masterpiece. Mark O'Conner and Jerry Douglas leave their usual effect upon the listener: "How in the world does he do that?" And Bela's lack of hesitancy to utilize the familiar single-stringing and jazz ornamentation in whatever he desires is, as always, appropriate and well-placed. Nothing imaginable is left to be desired here!

This is a fantastic remaster of this classic album. I always thought the original CD edition of "Drive" had great songs and superb playing. However, it suffered from very flat sound quality that squashed the dynamics of the acoustc instrumentation. Thankfully, the remaster completely eliminates this problem, and listening to the CD is like sitting in on the sessions. The bonus track is a worthy addition that makes the set that much more worth purchasing. I'm very happy with this release. Hopefully, Mobile Fidelity can get its hands on some of the other Fleck albums in the Rounder Records catalogue.

This was my first introduction to Bela, and it is a magnificent collection of acoustic music. The interplay of 6 stringed instruments played by virtuosos will bring a smile to your face and a stomp to your feet. I have always said if Bela choose to play the electric guitar, he would be a multi-platinum rock star, thank goodness he didn't and became the best banjo player around. This CD will leave you yearning for more of his stuff and quickly desiring to explore other bluegrass-type music. Enjoy.

Reguardless of what genre of music you like, you have to have a respect for the quality of musicians that play on this cd. The flawless freting, the tremendous arranments and sheer beauty of the songs on this cd is a must have in any music lover's collection...espically a bluegrass fanatic. There are fast numbers such as Whitewater then a wonderful tear jerking one such as Lights of Home. Bottom line is: buy this cd and you will be writing the same type of review and you will be as pleased as I am with your purchase. Enjoy!

Whoa, this guy is good. As a 5 string banjo player, I really appreciate this Fleck's unique talent and creativity. This is definitely not your grandfather's bluegrass music. Although the instruments are the same, the basic structure of the songs are altogether different from the old school. This is a must listen for any bluegrass lover and a must-buy for all banjo lovers. I particularly love the track "See Rock City". This CD dates from the mid 1980's but sounds really fresh and timeless. In my humble opinion, this is his best work, and it is awesome on all accounts.

What more can I say, the music on this CD is really fantastic. This is one of the best performances of some of the best music I've ever heard. There's not a bad song on the CD and the best ones (The Legend, Whitewater, Slipstream, Up and Around the Bend, and Natchez Trace) are top notch stuff. The fiddles sing, and the banjo picking is tremendous. If you like Bluegrass (or Newgrass) then this is the CD for you.

Fisrst of all, this album was recoreded in 1980, not 1988 when the cd reissue was released. It represents a milestone in acoustic music when bluegrass was bent a bit to accept the new sounds all of these young men were hearing from their traditional instruments. One cannot underestimate the importance, swing, and well, drive, this album represents. Don't just buy it, put on the headphones and absorb it and try and visualize the birth of a music that many of us depend on and take for granted today.