Jazz Kat Posted June 15, 2005 Report Share Posted June 15, 2005 (edited) These guys any good? I've heard about them for quite some time, wondering how they sound. So what, are you gonna recommend them to me? Or are they not worth checking out? Edited June 15, 2005 by Jazz Kat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Fitzgerald Posted June 15, 2005 Report Share Posted June 15, 2005 I imagine they will be right up your alley. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz Kat Posted June 15, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2005 Does that mean you don't like them, or you do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Fitzgerald Posted June 15, 2005 Report Share Posted June 15, 2005 Me? I thought the question was whether *you* should check them out. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted June 15, 2005 Report Share Posted June 15, 2005 (edited) Go here and check out one of over 100 live shows. They allow taping, so these are all band approved. Edited June 15, 2005 by John B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz Kat Posted June 15, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2005 Me? I thought the question was whether *you* should check them out. Mike ← Well you didn't really answer my question, but I was just asking if you like them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzmoose Posted June 15, 2005 Report Share Posted June 15, 2005 I picked up a few of their discs when I was first getting into jazz, but I haven't listened to them in quite a while. I guess they didn't gel for me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robviti Posted June 15, 2005 Report Share Posted June 15, 2005 i think michael is trying to be helpful and respectful in response to your inquiry. i agree with him that you might very well like this band given the kind of music you've expressed a fondness for in the past. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Berger Posted June 15, 2005 Report Share Posted June 15, 2005 Some of their stuff is alright. I have Flight of the Cosmic Hippo and it has its moments. I heard some other stuff (after Howard Levy left the band) and it was much weaker. Guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzmoose Posted June 15, 2005 Report Share Posted June 15, 2005 I agree; if you're going to try one, get Hippo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bright Moments Posted June 15, 2005 Report Share Posted June 15, 2005 (edited) actually (and i think even mike will agree with this) THE bela fleck cd to pick up is "perpetual motion" Edited June 15, 2005 by Bright Moments Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe G Posted June 15, 2005 Report Share Posted June 15, 2005 That's an excellent one, Evan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
king ubu Posted June 15, 2005 Report Share Posted June 15, 2005 I already had hopes for a thread about Bela Tarr... but now I realize this is a discussion of cosmic hippos... can anyone tell my work is really boring today? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Rat Posted June 15, 2005 Report Share Posted June 15, 2005 Personally, I was intrigued by Hippo, lost interest, then started to get intrigued again lately. Live at the Quick and Ten from Little Worlds, I'd say, are well worth checking out and are reason to hope that the elements he's fusing together can be meshed well. I very much like the "world music" musicians he's been working in lately--they give the feel of the music a much more organic texture than it had on early flecktone efforts. --eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sal Posted June 15, 2005 Report Share Posted June 15, 2005 I think the best one is "Live Art". A wide variety of tunes, plus some nice guest spots from Branford Marsalis & Chick Corea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.:.impossible Posted June 15, 2005 Report Share Posted June 15, 2005 This is a band where the albums sound very different from the live recordings. I don't know what kind of music they are into now, but the music they were making in the late-90s was very unique and a lot of fun to hear live. Futureman, who plays the synthax-drumatar, is one hell of a percussionist, Victor Wooten plays the four-string electric bass like no other (check out first solo album A SHOW OF HANDS if you do play electric bass at all), and Bela Fleck has surely made a name for himself in and outside of the picking world. Playing an electric banjo opens up a wide range of sounds for the band. Jeff Coffin is no slouch either, though he tends to stick to soprano with the Flecktones. His tone on the soprano is a bit easy for my taste, but I bought a solo disc of his back in college for $1!!! and it turned out to be some pretty hardcore jazz coming out of Nashville with avant-garde elements. I'd say to check out some of the live stuff to hear how seamlessly they transition between musics. They're not for everybody, but neither is fusion. They are definitely a fusion band with the chops to spare. Seems like they can do just about anything at the drop of a hat. Still, I haven't pulled any of their music out in a while. I've been listening to the same old Monk recordings for the last couple of years... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheldonm Posted June 15, 2005 Report Share Posted June 15, 2005 I photographed them a few years back and thought they were "ok"; not really my cup of tea! I don't own any of their music so I can't suggest anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz Kat Posted June 19, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2005 I listened to two of their albums. Took a little time to get used to, but not that bad. Very unique group, unlike anything I have ever heard, which is what I'm going for most of the time in new musical acts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julielyn Posted August 23, 2006 Report Share Posted August 23, 2006 Perpetual Motion is my favorite solo album of Bela's - however if we're talking about the whole band - Live at the Quick is one my favorites along with 'Left of Cool' - very fusion based. They are one of those bands that you just have to see - whether its a DVD - Live at the Quick is awesome - and I'm sure you'll enjoy it (check ebay). It's so much more than just music. Lots of documentary stuff, history, background, artist interviews. Very cool. Each of the guys are so individually talented, they all have solo albums (which are equally incredible!) - Vic Wooten on the bass (one of the most talented I've ever seen!) Jeff Coffin on winds (primairly sax, but he can do it all! You have to see him play two Tenor's at once - its nuts!) and Futureman (Wooten's brother) on the 'drumitar' - his own percussion instrument that is incredible just to see played). They took 2005 off as the band so they could all tour for their solo stuff. Definitely, definitely check them out. If you're into extremely talented musicians who aren't afraid to experiment, push limits, innovate and jam like nobody's business, you need to check them out. You won't be dissappointed! www.flecktones.com Have fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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