Bela Fleck & The Flecktones - The Sinister Minister

[rfmorris]

Saw them in Madison two nights ago.... amazing, best concert in years!

[timbobwe1]

Also, what song is Victor playing off of at around 4:00 and a little before?

[coolmaster5000]

@timbobwe1 That's part of Classical Thump - Victor Wooten.

[timbobwe1]

What instrument is the pirate playing?

[sparkchaser]

@timbobwe1 Future Man is playing a Drumitar which he invented.

[nakedlaughing]

Wish Jeff (sax player) hadn't left for Dave Matthews! Regardless, this band continues to be one of the absolute best live bands I have ever seen! So much talent!

[ishizsa]

:)

[Braktooth]

It's crazy how talented this group is. I can't think of another band off the top of my head with so many people who are arguably in the top-5, if not top two, of the instruments they play.

[coolmaster5000]

@Braktooth You should check out Return to Forever; I would consider them in the same category.

[koolbreez55]

I saw them do Flight of the Cosmic Hippo, and UFO Tofu concerts. Saw them 2 more times after that. They were never the same after Howard left after the Squaw Valley show. Rumor was that Kenny Logans stole him away after seeing the show at Squaw. Glad to see they did get back together later in life. They were truly amazing with Howard.

[RattleheadIV]

As much as I love Bela, the band should be called Victor Wooten and the Wootones

[cdrumz]

YO IN MY OPINION, ON ONE SIDE VICTOR IS SO FUNKY N DOES SOME SOME REAL INNOVATIVE STUFF BUT AT THE SAME TIME THE SONG IS WHACK . AHA I DONT MEAN THAT DISRESPECTFULLY AT ALL. MY DAD HAS HAD THIS ON VHS RECIRDED FROM TV SINCE THAT YEAR N I GREW UP PUTTIN IT ON CUZ I WOULD WATCH VICTOR KILL THAT BUT THE SONG ITSELF IS COMEDY

[RemiBrawler]

Anyone know what year this was? I'm thinking probably early, early 90s

[klnine]

so underated . cmon USA ! You have icons here !

[linkupbase]

one question ... what ist the "pirate" doing or playing ?

[mugsford]

@linkupbase That's Victor's brother, Roy "Futureman" Wooten, playing a synthax drumitar, which he created. He's playing all the percussion. If you get the chance to see them live, hang around after the show, because they often come out and talk to folks, and he's usually willing to show how it works.

[Rainalot]

@mugsford Aww man! I saw them live in Oakland last year. I should've stuck around.

[dropclutch1]

Did you know Bela has been nominated for more Grammys in more catagories than anyone in the history of the Grammys?!

[michaeldougherty1980]

@dropclutch1 Cause he is the cat's pajamas

[dropclutch1]

Just saw these guys on Binghamton NY last night. So amazing! I was disappointed when I saw Jeff Coffin was not performing with them but not anymore! Howard Levy is an absolute monster on stage! At one point he played 2 or 3 completely different parts on one harmonica! And don't even get me started on his piano playing! Complete Musical Genius!

[mainoffender711]

@dropclutch1 Was at that show too. Just when I thought they couldn't get any better Levy comes back and they take another leap ahead. I nearly flipped when he was doing his harmonica thing. Never heard anyone play two different parts at the same time like that. Just awesome.

[1016vortex]

The original group is back together and touring again and i  will be seeing them 8/13 in Portsmouth, VA

[stephcab]

@1016vortex I just saw them the other day. SO AMAZING!

[normfromal]

I love the "Howard" era... GREAT post !!!!

[JordanClunn]

When Vic's solo was over, I yelled so hard it woke the neighbors "SWEET JESUS, THAT'S SPICY!"

[michealolga]

@JordanClunn

Lol reading that just made my day

[Pelch07]

LOL this HAD to be in the 80s? Mustaches, aviator glasses, mullets, & crazy clothes!! (What ARE they wearing??) Love it. Looooove Howard Levy! The rest of 'em rock pretty much, too. Vic Wooten is the bomb. This is one of my favorite songs by them.

[Pelch07]

LOL this HAD to be in the 80s? Mustaches, aviator glasses, mullets, & crazy clothes!! (What ARE they wearing??) Love it. Looooove Howard Levy! The rest of 'em rock pretty much, too. Vic Wooten is the bomb. This is one of my favorite songs by them.

[sacramentalist]

I saw them (without Levy) in 1995. Absolutely fantastic. I even met Fleck and V Wooten afterward. Nicest guys I've ever met.

[chris68227]

clearly, dont stand next to victor wooten in a solo, unless you enjoy decapitation :P

[DeLachuga]

lol at vic wooten 1:40

[Mycoughlin]

Hipster @ 5:25

[FeatherCl]

love them . fave song of them . great bassist.  thanks : )

[bebop1986]

Wow... they're ALL dressed as weird as Futureman!

Almost.

Great video, thanks for posting!

[DavidCKendall]

They just make you cry!

[catamaranman333]

Bass solo starts at 2:40

[musicmasterliam]

is it me or does howard levy look like john lennon???

[dindglebeaver]

great video U got thanks 4 sharing :-)

[ToppervisionEnt]

One of the best bass solos ever!

Awesome performance!

[PhoenixaSol]

@ToppervisionEnt I thought so too, until I saw them live and Vic pulled out a stand, never stopped playing the bass, but leaned forward attaching it to the stand, then (still playing and basically shredding it) he reached back, grabbed another bass, strapped it on and played BOTH of them. Thank God for front row seat, the eyes to see the ears to hear it!

[anandaemail]

bela's tone has come a long way