Béla Fleck & The Flecktones Songs Ranked
Béla Fleck and the Flecktones is an American band that combines jazz and bluegrass music. The Flecktones formed in 1988 when Béla Fleck was invited to perform on the PBS TV series The Lonesome Pine Specials. The original members were Fleck on banjo, Victor Wooten on bass guitar, his brother Roy Wooten on Drumitar, and Howard Levy on harmonica and keyboards. After Levy’s departure in 1992 the group continued as a trio for several years until recruiting Jeff Coffin in 1997 on saxophones. Coffin quit the group in 2010, and Levy rejoined in 2011. In June 2012, following another summer tour, the Flecktones announced their hiatus as a band. In January 2016, the Flecktones announced a short reunion tour scheduled for June 2016, confirming an appearance at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival on June 16, 2016. 2017, the band announced concerts for June–August 2017, and also confirmed a tour with Chick Corea Elektric Band in August 2017. Here are all of Béla Fleck and the Flecktones songs ranked.
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8. Gravity Lane (Rocket Science, 2011)
“A pretty much perfect return to form for this the still most recent Flecktones release. No one really sounds like these guys at all and here is proof of that. Seriously not a bad song on this album.A pretty much perfect return to form for this the still most recent Flecktones release. No one really sounds like these guys at all and here is proof of that. Seriously not a bad song on this album.”
7. Michelle (Flight of the Cosmic Hippo, 1991)
“More excellent fusion jazz-banjo artistry from Bela Fleck. Banjo, piano, harmonica, percussion and bass all combine for an enjoyable music extravaganza.”
6. Throwdown at the Hoedown (Left of Cool, 1998)
“This album is sort of passive though, like this isn’t the kind of music I’m going to crank and play with friends around, moreso music that when I’m trying to cool down or something I’ll play it. And it’s good that there are albums like this.”
See more: Béla Fleck and the Flecktones Albums Ranked
5. Sunset Road (Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, 1990)
“Pretty good and probably innovative. While I like jazz, this debut feels a little monotonous after the initial “banjo in jazz” idea settles in. The dynamics and rhythms save the record though. “Sunset Road” has a beautiful melody.”
4. Sex in a Pan (UFO Tofu, 1992)
“Just a great tune to listen to as it is performed very well. just a lot of pieces throughout that keeps you wanted more. This is a very accurate transcription by Victor Wooten and includes only the bass part. I highly recommend listening to this while initially sight reading so you can get a good feel for the dynamics.”
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3. Big Country (Left of Cool, 1998)
“This is one of those songs that says to you, “All that little stuff you’re worrying about isn’t gonna amount to anything in the long run because everything’s gonna be alright.” At least that’s what it says to me. Very uplifting. Life is bigger than me.”
2. The Sinister Minister (Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, 1990)
“Minister has an insanely catchy chord progression and features an incredibly cool bass solo by Victor Wooten. Never thought I’d enjoy a band with either banjo or harmonica so much, much less both.”
1. Improv/Prelude from Bach violin partita #3 – (Live at the Quick, 2002)
“Amazing musicianship, songs, and improvising here, also the use of so many different instruments makes it almost a visual display as well. Excellent music, but it if you have the chance.”