Live Art [LIVE]

Bela Fleck

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 10, 1996)
• Original Release Date: September 10, 1996
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Live
• Label: Warner Bros / Wea
• ASIN: B000002N7R
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (67 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,223 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #4 in	Music > Country > Bluegrass > Bluegrass Jam Bands
  #5 in	Music > Country > Live Albums > Bluegrass
  #7 in	Music > Rock > Live Albums > Jam Bands

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording
Something of a retrospective, Live Art is a treat for both newcomers and aficionados of the eye-popping artistry that is Bela Fleck, not to mention his more-than-capable partners in crime, bassist Victor Wooten and percussionist (well, it's not exactly a drum set he plays) Future Man. This two-disc set features live performances spanning a four-year period, with several guest appearances: Branford Marsalis sits in on "Flying Saucer Dudes," Chick Corea is featured on "The Message," and Bruce Hornsby appears on "More Luv." Several never-before-recorded songs appear here as well--the Scottish-inflected "Lochs of Dread," among others. Favorites like "Flight of the Cosmic Hippo," "UFO Tofu," and "Sinister Minister" are here as well, making this a well-rounded, enjoyable collection for any Fleck fan. Jazz? Folk? Bluegrass? Who knows, but whatever it is, it's well worth hearing. --Genevieve Williams

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Near Perfection., May 9, 2001

By A Customer

I don't care who you are or what kind of music you listen to, this CD will simply blow you away. I have been lucky enough to see The Flecktones in concert and I can honestly say, these two disks perfectly capture their live sound and feel. The musicianship is absolutly top knotch. I thought I knew what good bass playing was until I heard Victor. There's no doubt in my mind that he is the worlds most knowledgeable and innovative bassist. Just listen to his solo in Sinister Minister. You'll never find a better (or nicer) bass player. And Bela, his furious runs up and down scales and uncanny ability to play exactly the right note at exactly the right time is unmatched. These two, along with a slew of other unbelievable muscians, come together in perfect sink to pull of these amazing and, at times very emotional tunes. I'd recommend this to any one who has ears!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing live album!!, November 12, 2000

By	J. Sutherland "zeppfan" (Southport, North Carolina United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Bela Fleck and the Flecktones embark on a musical journey throughout this entire album and cordially invite you to join them. There musical style ranges from bluegrass tunes to jazz, classical, and celtic tunes. You can't describe their music using traditional descriptions because their music draws from so many influences creating a scope of sound that is very unique. There is hardly any singing on this album except for a few tracks so it is something different, but each musician Bela, Vic, Sam, and Future man, are such accomplished live players that they use their instrument as their voice and they can express a great deal more. My favourite tracks are Bigfoot, Stomping Grounds, Shubee's Doobie and Early Reflection. This last track "Early Reflection" is a solo by Bela Fleck that shows how he has mastered his instrument by going from a classical piece to the theme from "The Beverly Hillbillies." And it sounds awesome! Some of the other songs I like because of the beautiful arrangements and hramonies the players create. After listening to this album anything else I put into my CD player sounded musically much more simple in comparison. This band is a LIVE improvisational band and on this album their skills are on fine display for anyone who wants to broaden their musical horizons. If your a fan of bluegrass, jazz, celtic, classical, or just a fan of live improvisational music I highly recommend buying this album. And if you don't know about Bela Fleck's "style" of music this is a great inroduction. This is an incredible album you won't regret buying it!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BUY THIS ALBUM AND GO TO A SHOW!, September 20, 2001

By	Andrew Kim (Minneapolis, MN United States) - See all my reviews

Where do I even start? This is as good as live albums get. This captures the energy and fun of a Flecktones show perfectly. The cuts on here contain some of the most beautiful music I have ever heard in my life.

New South Africa opens the disc with a melody that is executed in such a buoyant manner that it can seemingly lift you into a good mood. The musical interplay between the band (and equally skilled guests) is displayed with the very next and rousing playful track, Stomping Grounds.

The album just gets better from there. With incomprehensibly complex songs like UFO TOFU, a bit of Beatles fun with Oh! Darling (which features jaw dropping vocals from John Cowan), Sam Bush ripping it up on the violin on Big Foot, and amazing solos by bass God, Victor Wooten, and Bela Fleck, this album has much to offer.

Guests like Chick Corea, Branford Marsalis, Jerry Douglas, Edgar Meyer, Paul McCandless, Bush and others also show how well the Flecktones challenge themselves and how ego free the band is.

There are wonderful melodies that are technically and emotionally superb all across these two discs. All you have to do is listen to Sinister Minister to understand just how good this band is. This is toe-tapping, hum along music that covers almost every kind of music imaginable. Your mouth will be agape when it isn't smiling. This is one of the greatest albums ever from one of the best bands out there today.