The story Bela tells about finding an enormous, huge bass banjo in a music store when he was on tour is so cute: He said he knew he'd married the right woman, because when he sheepishly called home to get a feel for whether she'd be mad if he bought it, as soon as he described it she just said "don't come home without it!" 😁
I learned to play five string banjo back in the seventies by turning down old Carl Jackson and Glen Campbell records to half speed...then Earl Scruggs came out with Song Booklet and Record and I thought I found heaven...people today have access to a thousand teachers on line and you have no idea how fortunate you are...I will say this, I have adored Bela's playing back to his time with Newgrass Revival and they played here at Carlisle Bluegrass outside Hamilton, Ontario...they will remember it as the four day rain festival when nobody stopped dancing and carrying on for four days in front of the stage...a total mud bowl...I didn't care for the direction Bela took with the Flecktones, to each his own, but I am glad he has gotten back to traditional sounds here ...by the way the Transatlantic sessions were awesome..Big Country I think it was, awesome tune, with the lute etc. just my thoughts ..to each his own...and I was inspired by all of your Humanitarian work Bela...God Bless
There is something haunting about a well played clawhammer banjo. Abigail really makes it talk. Merging the two styles is no small feat. The marriage of two true Masters.
Or the geographical reverse :-). Or neither - homesick overflows in their love and music, wherever we find ourselves. How good to have such food for the journey Home.
Watch his documentary Throw Down Your Heart. It’s here on RU-vid in potato quality, but serviceable. He travels through Africa playing with local performers and learning the history of regional music.
I can only guess at what effect it has on their kids to hear mom and dad cranking amazing tunes in their living room. I came to follow both of these musicians before they were married but have since become even more fascinated to hear them as a couple. It's pretty wonderful.
My first time listening to hybrid bluegrass, I must say the merging of styles is most impressive. I enjoyed the merging of old-time collaboration with bluegrass
One of my favorite performances of all time was Béla Fleck performing Big Country in Ireland for TS5. I think it stands for Transatlantic Session 5. It's an absolute masterpiece. Find it if you aren't already familiar.
I’ve been to a lot of concerts in my life. Their concert was by my favorite. The acoustics, the warmth, the connection, all came together to be one of my absolute favorite moments of live music.
I professed my love for Abigail soon after she got back from China (unsuccessfully I might add, I never had a chance). I am so glad she ended up with Bela. Their journey together has turned into something of legend. There has never been such a "married" sound to mix musical ideas from every corner of the world. When i hear their music I think of a not yet-existent place where opposing ideas flow as a more perfect melodic reality.
Well, they are marvelous, but it's not really new. Earl and John McEuen did it on Soldier's Joy on the first Circle album and that was marvelous, also !
Incredible. Abigail and Joanna Newsome have very similar styles of singing. Bela is legendary. Wonderful dry humor. What a couple. Thanks for the post.
The sound of this jam carries me away down a long winding road in a stagecoach through a beautiful mysterious land of the past. Mist in the morning over rolling hills.
So sweet. My interest in the banjo just went up a few notches thanks to these two charming musicians and some Steve Martin videos I stumbled on tonight. Thank you.....
OMG Bela Fleck. I listened to his albums decades ago. He is awesome. Can't wait to hear the flailing by Abigail. It's so nice to hear people today who are expert musicians. Loving it. Beautiful. Nice vocals. Nice clogging. I have to check out Uncle Earl now. Thanks. You've both exposed me to another delightful side of the world of music.
Wonderful duo. I appreciate not only your excellent musicianship, but also your social justice awareness. Thank you for the beautiful and heartfelt music.
Changes my mood for the better- always. The mountain style with Bela's melodic/classical take is simply magical. So glad I found Fleck decades ago- who introduced me to Abigail and the best of the rest of the banjo world... Said as a (hack) Mandolinist, sworn to see the destruction of all that is banjo😅
This is absolutely incredible. I love the blend of these styles and watching you two play together inspires me to share this magic with other people. Thank you
17:00 Best analogy for the two , compelling , "opposing" banjo styles, like the masterful Earl Scruggs, rolls, and Mother Maybelle Carter, scratch! This was a beautiful performance, Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn and Paste Magazine! BTW , Clogging is so amazing!
I really appreciate the panning, makes it much easier to hear the different parts from each of these lovely players. The reverb was a little thick for my taste, I thought it made it sound a little bit unnatural but I can understand the choice. Amazing playing! Thanks for having them on and sharing with the world!
I love your playing together! it is really wonderful to hear 3-finger playing and claw-hammer together. the contrasting tones of the two instruments is wonderful too!
Wonderful, wonderful meshing of two great banjo styles. Pete Seeger dabbled in bluegrass but did a lot of double thumbing and frailing, combining the styles. Can't wait to hear and watch more of these two perfomers. It needs a revival.
I love Abigail and her playing not to mention her beautiful voice. Earl Scruggs and Lester Flatt got me here. Can't get enough. Now I i'm into Bela Fleck too. The banjo is a very energetic instrument.
