Misplaced Pages

#721278

38-449: Live Art is the fifth album released by Béla Fleck and the Flecktones and their first non-studio album. It was recorded live at various concerts between 1992 and 1996 and features ten guest musicians. Featured guests include Sam Bush , Branford Marsalis , Chick Corea , and Bruce Hornsby . In his Allmusic review, music critic Thom Owens wrote "the core of the album is Fleck &

76-511: A customised SynthAxe guitar synthesizer controller to drum sounds. Melodies were usually taken by Howard Levy. The first Flecktones video, "Sinister Minister", was in rotation at the networks VH-1, which played pop and adult contemporary music; BET, the Black Entertainment channel; and Country Music Television. The band performed initially at jazz festivals, as well as with soul singer Stevie Wonder , blues guitarist Bonnie Raitt , and

114-484: A few. Live at the Quick , which was also released as a DVD, is the band's eighth album and second live album. For fans of live Flecktones, this album, like Live Art , successfully captured the sound and feel of the Flecktones in concert. In February 2006, the band released their tenth album, The Hidden Land . As with every Flecktones album, they needed to change something from their last album. For The Hidden Land ,

152-480: A young teen. After demonstrating his mandolin technique Monroe offered the advice: "stick to the fiddle". Sam is one of the main attractions at the annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival in Telluride, Colorado and plays the eight p.m. set on Saturday night as well as many guest appearances throughout the weekend. He is affectionately known as "The King of Telluride" for his perennial appearances there (and Emmylou Harris

190-526: Is an accomplished instrumentalist on mandolin and fiddle winning title of National Fiddle champion at fifteen years of age. He was a founding member of the New Grass Revival and has been called a modern-day Bill Monroe , or as Sam would tell . . . . if Bill was the father of bluegrass then I could be the mother because Monroe would say: 'here comes that mother now!' Sam, affectionately "Sammy", or "Mr. Entertainment", also recalls meeting Mr. Monroe as

228-584: The Strawberry Music Festival ( Memorial Day and Labor Day), Rockygrass (late July), and every spring at the Americana Festival , Merlefest in Wilkesboro, North Carolina . Sam Bush is known as one of the liveliest performers at these festivals, and makes many guest appearances with the other artists. Flecktones The Flecktones formed in 1988 when Béla Fleck was invited to perform on

266-680: The Telluride Bluegrass Festival in Colorado . When the New Grass Revival dissolved in 1989, Bush joined Emmylou Harris ' Nash Ramblers, touring and recording with Harris for the next five years. In 1995, Bush worked as a sideman with Lyle Lovett and Bela Fleck's Flecktones . He formed his own band, featuring Cowan and ex-Nash Ramblers Jon Randall and Larry Atamanuick, shortly before recording his second solo album, Glamour & Grits , in 1996. He released his next album, Howlin' at

304-450: The Telluride Bluegrass Festival on June 16, 2016. In 2017, the band announced concerts for June–August 2017, and also confirmed a tour with Chick Corea Elektric Band in August 2017. Thom Jurek of AllMusic.com called the Flecktones's music an "unclassifiable meld of jazz, progressive bluegrass, rock, classical, funk, and world music traditions," a style sometimes dubbed " blu - bop ". Of

342-553: The "Queen of Telluride"). Sam did tour with Harris' band, The Nash Ramblers. Additional collaborations include recording and live performances with many virtuoso musicians and artists such as Doc Watson , Linda Ronstadt , Dolly Parton , Ann Savoy , Tony Rice , Peter Rowan , Russ Barenberg, David Grisman , Mark O'Connor, Edgar Meyer, and importantly; "Strength in Numbers", a band consisting of Bela Fleck , Mark O'Connor , Edgar Meyer , Jerry Douglas , and Sam Bush. Strength in Numbers

380-796: The British Progressive Rock band the Moody Blues – 2004's Moody Bluegrass : A Nashville Tribute to the Moody Blues , and 2011's Moody Bluegrass TWO...Much Love . Bush provided the lead vocal for the Ray Thomas song "Nice To Be Here" on the latter album. He lives in Nashville, Tennessee. The Grammy Awards are awarded annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences . Bush has won 3 awards from 14 nominations. As well as being an accomplished bluegrass vocalist, Bush also

418-577: The Christian a cappella group Take 6 . Followers of the Grateful Dead took note. The band's debut album, Béla Fleck and the Flecktones ( Warner Bros , 1989), received a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Jazz Album, as did their second album, Flight of the Cosmic Hippo (Warner Bros., 1991), which also received a nomination for Best Instrumental Composition for the song "Blu-Bop" and contained

SECTION 10

#1733085437722

456-411: The Flecktones didn't want any guest musicians. "'The truth is, the last few records are not what we are,' Fleck said. 'Obviously, we loved playing with those musicians, but if you keep on doing it, you become a gathering point rather than a group with its own identity.'" For the Flecktones to keep moving forward, they felt their music had to get back to the roots of the quartet. Jeff Coffin amicably left

494-517: The Flecktones released their seventh album, Outbound , another studio album. The Flecktones' philosophy with this album was to do something different from everything they had done before. What makes Outbound unique is the way in which the Flecktones recorded the album. The quartet recorded each track on the album, then invited guest musicians to overdub vocals or instrumentation. Outbound guests include Jon Anderson from Yes , Shawn Colvin , and John Medeski , of Medeski, Martin and Wood , to name

532-552: The Flecktones sound "hasn't aged well." Dan Ouelette of Billboard found Hidden Land to be "by far their best album." Ouelette was particularly impressed by the quartet's range of repertoire in this album. Jingle All the Way was well received. Geoffrey Himes praised the band for being able to package the Flecktones' complex sound into an easily digestible holiday album without having to compromise. Jeff Kelman of Jazz Times writes favorably about Rocket Science and Levy's reunion with

570-566: The Flecktones' dynamite instrumental improvisations, where they can demonstrate the true range of their eclecticism and talent. Of special note are the songs that feature jams with Branford Marsalis, Chick Corea, and Bruce Hornsby, who help spur the Flecktones to new heights." Bryson Alden, writing for No Depression , wrote "Their music combines the familiar sounds of bluegrass with whatever else comes along, be it jazz, classical, rap or “The Ballad of Jed Clampett”. In lesser hands, these combinations would almost certainly be disastrous, but thanks to

608-446: The Flecktones' first studio album in five years reveals that they've become a very ordinary band." Himes adds, "The four Flecktones are all marvelous musicians, and they come up with imaginative parts for the new album's 15 cuts. The overall concept, however has diminished into easy-to-digest pop-jazz, for which there is too much already." Hidden Land received mixed reviews. Critic Michael Endelman of Entertainment Weekly , wrote that

646-444: The Flecktones's version of " The Star-Spangled Banner ". Their next album had another cartoon cover and the palindromic title UFO TOFU (Warner Bros., 1992). One of its songs, "Bonnie & Slyde", had Fleck playing banjo atypically with a slide, an idea suggested to him by slide guitarist Bonnie Raitt. UFO Tofu would be the last album the Flecktones recorded with their original lineup until Rocket Science in 2011. Howard Levy left

684-408: The Flecktones, "Rocket Science recaptures everything that made the Flecktones so fresh, so innovative, so important during its first five years." Kelman particularly praised the album's writing and the interactions between Levy and Fleck. AllMusic critic Thom Jurek also gave Rocket Science a rave review, " Rocket Science fires on all cylinders and comes off as a fresh and exciting reintroduction to

722-494: The Moon in 1998, he released Ice Caps: Peaks of Telluride in 2000 , which was a live recording. In 2004, Randall left Bush's band and Brad Davis took over harmony vocals and guitar duties. In 2006, Bush released Laps in Seven . The release was significant because it marked the return of the banjo to Bush's recordings, played by Scott Vestal . The guitarist, Keith Sewell, performed on

760-407: The Moon , in 1998, with many of the same players and special guests, including Harris, Fleck and J. D. Crowe . In the winter of 1997, Bush and the New Grass Revival reunited for an appearance on Late Night with Conan O'Brien as the backup band for Garth Brooks . On March 28, 1998, Bush's hometown of Bowling Green, KY , honored him with a special "Sam Bush Day" celebration. Following Howlin' at

798-454: 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. Near

SECTION 20

#1733085437722

836-594: The age of 11, his musical interest was further piqued when he attended the inaugural Roanoke, VA Bluegrass Festival in 1965. As a teen, Bush took first place three times in the junior division of the National Oldtime Fiddler's Contest in Weiser, ID. He joined guitarist Wayne Stewart, his mentor and music teacher during Sam's teen years, and banjoist Alan Munde (later of Country Gazette) and the three recorded an instrumental album, Poor Richard's Almanac , in 1969. In

874-415: The album Béla Fleck and the Flecktones critic Geoffrey Himes wrote, "Fleck's banjo-playing takes the quartet on wide tangents through the outer space of jazz improvisation and minimalist composition, but he always brings them back to the traditions of rural America." The quartet received attention for their musical innovations and invention, including praise from music critic Bill Kolhaase. However, he

912-468: The band in 2010 to join the Dave Matthews Band . Original member Howard Levy rejoined the following year in 2011, when the band recorded and released their eleventh album Rocket Science . 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

950-589: The band in December 1992. While the departure of Levy was tough for the band, it was not unexpected. During their 1992 tour it became evident to the band that Levy was not happy with the rigors of touring and wanted to spend more time with his wife and children. The remaining trio, consisting of Fleck and the Wooten brothers, recorded their fourth album, Three Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest . "'Once we started rehearsing, everything

988-419: The core Flecktones trio (plus, on some tunes, Levy) collaborating with assorted jazz and bluegrass musicians including Sam Bush , Branford Marsalis , Chick Corea , and Bruce Hornsby . In April 1997, the Flecktones became a quartet again, as they added saxophone player Jeff Coffin to the mix. In June 1997, the Flecktones opened for the Dave Matthews Band . In July the Flecktones toured Europe and sat in on

1026-575: The end of his time with the New Grass Revival band, Fleck was invited to play for the Lonesome Pine Special on PBS in 1988, and he gathered a group of musicians to assist him. He had met Howard Levy the year before at the Winnipeg Folk Festival. Victor Wooten auditioned over the phone and volunteered his brother Roy as a potential member. After the PBS performance, Fleck decided to keep

1064-659: The group together, calling it Bela Fleck and the Flecktones and using it to explore a more complex series of his own compositions. The Flecktones merged bluegrass with jazz, presenting record store owners with the problem of selecting a genre under which to stock their whimsically titled albums, whose covers bore cartoons. The leader played electric banjo and was influenced by the Kentucky bluegrass of Earl Scruggs and " The Ballad of Jed Clampett ". Victor Wooten broke into jazz bass solos. Roy Wooten called himself "Future Man" and played drumitar, an instrument which he'd developed by linking

1102-549: The recording, but shortly after took a job with the Dixie Chicks . Bush sought a new guitarist for his recordings and road band and found Stephen Mougin . In 2007, Bush released his first live concert DVD, titled On The Road . 2007 also marked the first time he had been chosen to host the International Bluegrass Music Association Awards. Bush contributed to two bluegrass tribute albums to

1140-492: The second set of a Phish show in Lyon , France. This marked the second and final time that the Flecktones played with Phish. In June 1998, the Flecktones released their sixth album, and fifth studio album, Left of Cool . It represented a switch from previous Flecktones albums, as the band, according to critic Terri Horak, "jettisoned their self-imposed rule to only record what could be duplicated on live instruments." In July 2000,

1178-784: The sole original member. Bassist and vocalist John Cowan joined in 1974, with banjo ace Béla Fleck and acoustic guitarist Pat Flynn being enlisted in 1981. From 1979 through 1981, the group toured with Leon Russell , opening the shows and backing Russell during his headlining set. Beginning in 1980, Bush and Cowan periodically jammed with the Nashville-based Duckbutter Blues Band, whose other members were blues guitarist Kenny Lee, drummer Jeff Jones, and bassist Byron House. Bush recorded his debut solo album, Late as Usual , four years later. In 1989, Bush and Fleck joined Mark O'Connor , Jerry Douglas , and Edgar Meyer in an all-star bluegrass band, Strength in Numbers , at

Live Art - Misplaced Pages Continue

1216-603: The spring of 1970, Bush attended the Fiddlers Convention at Union Grove, NC , and was inspired by the rock-flavored progressive bluegrass of the New Deal String Band. Later that year, he moved to Louisville and joined the Bluegrass Alliance. In the fall of 1971, the band dissolved and reformed as the New Grass Revival . The New Grass Revival went through numerous personnel changes, with Bush remaining as

1254-465: The superlative talent of Bela on banjo and assorted banjoesque electronic devices, along with his sidemen, each with a unique instrument/approach, the result is wonderfully pleasing... This two-CD set, recorded live over a period of five years, provides an excellent benchmark of their work." Sam Bush Charles Samuel Bush (born April 13, 1952) is an American mandolinist who is considered an originator of progressive bluegrass music. In 2020, he

1292-805: Was a collaboration born from jam sessions at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival . The music on their CD release entitled "The Telluride Sessions" was all instrumental and recorded live, showcasing the individual talent of each player and their ability to improvise. During recent years (2000–2008) there have been many variations of the Strength in Numbers band, also known as "Bluegrass Sessions", always including Jerry Douglas, ( Dobro ), and usually bassist Byron House, also from Bowling Green, KY . Other musicians include Gabe Witcher ( fiddle ), Bryan Sutton (guitar), Tim O'Brien ( fiddle , mandolin , guitar, vocals) and Darol Anger ( fiddle ). Sam Bush Band tours extensively, appearing at many small venues and large festivals such as

1330-417: Was critical of the band's lack of a drum kit , claiming that Wooten's "electronic beat seemed a bit muddy compared to the real thing". Cosmic Hippo was received favorably. Himes applauded their prodigious improvisatory ability. John Griffin of The Gazette also praised the group's ability to create such an individual style that "the whole of idea of style disappears." Mike Joyce, of The Washington Post

1368-471: Was fine,' said Fleck. 'We started finding ways to sound good, and it was real exciting.'" Without Levy, the Flecktones as usual spent most of 1993 on the road and released Three Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest in September of that year. The band continued to tour for the next couple of years. 1996 saw the release of the live album Live Art , featuring recordings made over a four-year touring period which also saw

1406-524: Was impressed by the Flecktones' ability to maintain a distinct voice. Joyce called a Flecktones show a "musical free-for-all, embracing the band's recorded material and venturing off into the great unknown." Jim Santella of The Buffalo News praised the band's mastery of styles and their ability to weave together complicated pieces. Santella even compared Fleck's playing to a "miniature Bach canon." Geoffrey Himes remarked that Left of Cool sounded too ordinary. In his negative review he wrote, "Unfortunately

1444-641: Was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame as a member of New Grass Revival . He was inducted into the Hall of Fame a second time in 2023 as a solo artist. Born in Bowling Green , Kentucky, Bush was exposed to country and bluegrass music at an early age through his father, Charlie's, record collection, and later by the Flatt & Scruggs television show. Buying his first mandolin at

#721278