Released: 1996
Tracks: Intro; New South Africa; Stomping Grounds; Lochs of Dread; Bigfoot; Far East Medley; Flying Saucer Dudes; UFO Tofu; Interlude-Libation, the Water Ritual; Vix 9; The Message; Improv/Amazing Grace; Shubbee’s Doobie; Oh Darling; Blu-Bop; Sunset Road; More Luv; Early Reflection/Bach/The Ballad of Jed Clampett; Cheeseballs in Cowtown; The Sinister Minister; Flight of the Cosmic Hippo
Best track: Stomping Grounds? Vix 9? Vic’s Improv? Sinister Minister?… ugh my brain hurts
Track to skip: only if you hate good music
The Flecktones are by far one of the most creative and original bands for the past decade. They usually get lumped in with all the jam bands, but most of those guys (except Phish) are just kids compared to these guys. The Flecktones also get lumped in with jazz, or bluegrass, or funk, or anything else, but they’re really a strange mixture of all that, plus a lot more. No one else sounds like the Flecktones. And besides that, I’d say that these guys are probably the best at their respective instruments. Yes, Victor Wooten is THE best bassist. No question. Yup, he’s better than Jaco Pastorius (blasphemy!), Steve Harris (major blasphemy), Geddy Lee, Tony Levin, Bryan Beller, Patrick O’Hearn and all the other bassists I worship. When I first saw the Flecktones I was so blown away by them, especially Victor. And then you also have Future Man (Vic’s brother), who is the best synth-axe drumitar player (well duh, he’s the only person who plays one, he invented it!) as well as Béla Fleck, arguably the best banjo player in the world. If he’s not the best, then he’s by far the most original, using the banjo more like a guitar than a traditional acoustic one.
But enough about the band and their greatness, this CD, their first live release, is awesome. Everybody gets solo spots and there are tons of great guest musicians and the playing is just fantastic and at the highest level. There’s not much bad to say about this, it’s one I like to play a lot and never get tired of. It doesn’t quite live up to the greatness of a Flecktone live show, but it tries really hard. If the Flecktones ever come anywhere close to you, go. Amazing. Buy this album too, it’s nice.
Rating: 95
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