This 1992 show at the Austin City Limits was one for the books. The 17th season also featured an all-female songwriters special and the reunion of Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks and The Acoustic Warriors. It was an amazing season, and I'm so glad that they featured Bela Fleck and the Flecktones.One of the best things about Austin City Limits is the variety of musical artists that it features, and the 1992 season was no exception. Season 17 of ACL included musical heavyweights like Travis Tritt, Hal Ketchum, and Trisha Yearwood. Not everyone in the music world was so lucky that year, though: we lost Roger Miller. On the other hand, there was a lot to celebrate, as well. George Strait made his acting debut in Pure Country, and Johnny Cash and Bobby Blue Bland were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 1992 was a special year with many memorable moments in music and entertainment. Bela Fleck and the Flecktones had a special performance on Austin City Limits, Billy Ray Cyrus released his debut album featuring “Achy Breaky Heart,” Johnny Carson said goodbye to The Tonight Show, Jay Leno took over as host, and Bill Clinton was elected as our 42nd president. It was an eventful year, and Bela Fleck and the Flecktones were a big part of it.👍
I remember watching this when it first aired. I couldn’t believe what I was witnessing. It’s still just as fresh as the day I saw it. Thanks for sharing!
Amazing stuff. Finest musicians. Pioneering genres and setting new music standards. Lucky enough to have seen them a few times. In person, you can be moved to tears. I was.
Amazing musicians. I still have yet to see Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. I did have the pleasure of seeing Bela Fleck "My Bluegrass Heart" it was amazing!
The fidelity to the sound on the records is just phenomenal, colored with just enough improv to keep it unpredictable. Truly a great day for jazz anytime these guys are spreading the word to a wider audience.
Saw them in Sacramento at the Crest Theater with my kids. Great show. Got to do a meet and greet at the bus as they were departing. Nice people. On one song, maybe Sinister Minister, Bela and Victor exchanged instruments. On another Victor brought out a standup bass and Futureman drummed with sticks on a piece of paper on a wooden box.
I have never heard a man play wah harp, ocarina (!), and piano as brilliantly as Howard Levy. Holy crow! I love the jazz arrangements, and the carnival outfits too. Cool ending. Some of the most masterful playing I've ever seen.
Howard Levy was an amazing and integral member of the early edition of the Flecktones. The band continued to evolve through other fine configurations after his departure.
So many people are walking in darkness. Claiming to known something when they haven't even been born. These guys were in their prime! Or were we only allowed to see what they thought we as mere humans could comprehend? I loved Austin City Limits 😄 Béla Fleck! Howard Levy!!!! They didn't even break a sweat...
Saw this on PBS years ago, thats when í first discovered Bella fleck and the flecktones. I learned a lot that day, about music and its silly to pay 400 dollars for a balloon and a totbag. That being said, support public television.
Saw them live around 2016 at UConn, wow. All these crazy talented guys seasoning and settling into their instruments for 20 plus years....including the harmonica guy. He was the most spectacular at the show. Innovation beyond words, that's why they use instruments instead of vocals!!!
I bought the first Flecktones album but didn’t buy another one until Live Art. Not sure why or how that happened. I kept listening to the first one all those years. I guess when Levy left, I thought the music wouldn’t be as good. Live and learn.
Music is the universal thread that binds us all......it speaks to our souls .Carlos Santana,Al di Meola,Django Rienhart,Jimmy Hendrix,Paco De Lucia,Jean Luc Ponty,David Gilmour,Buckethead,Slash,Robert Fripp,George Harrison,Steve Vai,Steve Morse ,Michael Angelo Batio,Eric Johnson,Yngwie Malmsteem,Randy Rhodes,Stevie Ray Vaughan,Eric Clapton.....need I name more? They all talk about everyone coming together and forgeting our petty differences....Maybe there is much sense in what these guys are saying.....it’s never too late,judging by the foolishness we have subjected ourselves in the past 2500 years or so!