2012-01-19 | Bela Fleck and the Flecktones

2:12:51
SHNID:
bfft2012-01-19.flac16
Source:
MS-TFB-2 In-Ear Binaural Mics>SP-SPSB-11>Sony PCM-M10
Lineage:
Sound Forge 9
Taper Notes:
View NotesTwo decades on from the original Flecktones' first parting of ways, when founding pianist/harmonica player Howard Levy bowed out after six meteoric years, Celtic Connections is proud to host the reconvened quartet's European debut, following last May's release of their dazzling new album Rocket Science. While it entered at No.1 simultaneously on the Billboard, iTunes and SoundScan Jazz charts, the gloriously kaleidoscopic sound of Levy's reunion with the band's prime mover, banjo wizard Béla Fleck, bassist Victor Wooten and percussionist/Drumitarist Roy "Futureman" Wooten renders genre as consummately and enthrallingly irrelevant as they ever did, further enriched by a freshly collaborative approach to composition and arrangements. In addition to the Rocket Science material, they'll be connecting with some special Celtic guests, including Irish songstress Karan Casey, the fabulous Gaelic singer Kathleen MacInnes - on whose forthcoming second album Fleck features - and Transatlantic Sessions regular Michael McGoldrick, just off tour with Mark Knopfler and Bob Dylan. They will also be joined from further afield by the boundary-busting US singer and banjo doyenne Abigail Washburn and American bluegrass fiddler and singer Casey Driessen.

Performers:
Bela Fleck & The Flecktones
Abigail Washburn
Karan Casey
Kathleen MacInnes
Michael McGoldrick
John Doyle
Casey Driessen
Martin O'Neill

Comments & Notes:
(1) With the exception of Casey Driessen, all guests were in the 2nd set only.
(2) The guy sitting on my left (who I actually know quite well) was coughing on and off during the gig.