Live Art


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.

Reception

In his Allmusic review, music critic Thom Owens wrote "the core of the album is Fleck & 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 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."

Track listing

Disc 1

  1. "Intro" – 0:38
  2. "New South Africa" – 4:43
  3. "Stomping Grounds" – 5:26
  4. "Lochs of Dread" – 5:45
  5. "Bigfoot" – 7:32
  6. "Far East Medley" – 7:21
  7. "Flying Saucer Dudes" – 5:35
  8. "UFO Tofu" – 3:38
  9. "Interlude - Libation, The Water Ritual" – 3:06
  10. "Vix 9" – 6:02
  11. "The Message" – 9:16

    Disc 2

  12. "Improv/Amazing Grace" – 6:46
  13. "Shubbee's Doobie" – 4:40
  14. "Oh! Darling" – 6:21
  15. "Blu-bop" – 7:36
  16. "Sunset Road" – 5:56
  17. "More Luv" – 7:43
  18. "Early Reflection/Bach/The Ballad of Jed Clampett" – 6:09
  19. *"Early Reflection"
  20. *"Presto" from Sonata #1 in G minor for unaccompanied violin
  21. *"The Ballad of Jed Clampett"
  22. "Cheeseballs in Cowtown" – 5:38
  23. "Sinister Minister" – 7:30
  24. "Flight of the Cosmic Hippo" – 4:52

    Personnel

The Flecktones