Béla Fleck & The Original Flecktones - "Sinister Minister" - Mountain Jam VII - 6/3/11

Béla Fleck & The Original Flecktones play "Sinister Minister" at Mountain Jam VII on 6/3/11
Edited by: Ryan Lennox.

[@user-cr3xq2iq9p]

I love how during Victor's bass solo, the other band members just kind watch and they are just as blown away as anyone else is. They see Victor play all the time, but by the way they smile, it just seems like it never gets old for them. Victor Wooten is on that kind of a level as a bass player

[@knastera]

I have a friend that is a really good bassist. I took him to his first Bela Fleck & The Flecktones concert. When he saw Vic do a 30 minute solo, he turned to me and said, "I'm not worthy. When I get home, I'm burning my bass,"

[@nicot9305]

I'm hoping he didn't burn his bass. I'm hoping he learned to have more fun!

[@therealjibrano]

@@nicot9305 this is the kind of comment victor wooten would make, approved

[@davedecker1725]

I said the same thing the first time I heard Eddie Van Halen!

[@kevinstone9638]

Victor Wooten would be upset at that. He wants everyone to learn and get better because you are already the best you just have to be you and learn from the professionals like him.

[@itntamir]

I've seen Victor a few times and read his book. I've had that feeling with other bassists, but Victor is one of the most accessible bass players out there. When he does his clinics, he shows you what he does and how he does it. He's also an amazing teacher. I leave any show where Victor is playing inspired to work harder. After attending one of his clinics, I know exactly what he's doing. I recommend his book, The Music Lesson. It's beautifully written and a window into how he plays. Great musician and just a great person!

[@tomlipp677]

I brought my brother to a Flecktones concert a while back. My brother plays the bass. I wanted to see my brother's reaction to Vic. He had none. I asked him after the concert why he didn't react to Vic. He told me he was in shock.

[@naturalmystique1237]

lol!!!

[@melbournaut]

You never forget your first time. I couldn't talk afterwards

[@mattstrathis4328]

Victor inspired me to take bass playing to the next level (or maybe 9 or 10 levels). I was able to go to 5 Bela Fleck and the Flecktone shows from 1998-2003.

[@ericbedenbaugh7085]

Find a video of Jaco Pastorius, your brother might have to be hospitalized.

[@mattstrathis4328]

@@ericbedenbaugh7085 Jaco was another one of my inspirations.

[@reqrep9860]

I came here for Victor, but holy shit I had no idea a harmonica could be played like that... I'm in awe.

[@coajrmusic]

Best solo I've heard on the harp, I think he made Stevie #2 in my book...

[@yagoovirus2751]

Same it's my first time hearing harmonica solo

[@scififool]

This entire band is awesome! Saw them live a couple of times and was totally floored!

[@Earthdancer46234]

@@derkommissar785 and Charlie McCoy and indira Safir.

[@houstontrousdale8795]

@@derkommissar785 Um ... John Popper?

[@SweetSpotGuitar]

Okay, everybody, Victor is truly amazing, but DANG! HOWARD LEVY! He's breezing through bent notes, overblown and overdrawn notes, all making it sound so fluid. This is amazingly hard stuff. He's playing a traditional diatonic harp, not a chromatic one, BTW.

[@luisfilipedesouzagomes9545]

Uncle Clyde stuff

[@SeinFreak]

You know what key harmonica he's using? I know the song is in Dm so that could be F Bb or maybe he's using a minor harmonica.

[@samhardingham5591]

I don't understand how you can play something like this with a diatonic one

[@teamuns7223]

Noah Gyles He’s using a C harp in 3rd position.

[@stackofiasco5591]

@@teamuns7223 Does that mean he's playing like a D Dorian Straight Harp?

[@patlatorres7000]

Notice all of the SMILES on the stage. These folks are not just performing, they're having FUN!!!!

[@DiZastur]

vic is unquestionably the most badass slap bass ever but Levy on the harp and keyboards is sick

[@Jojomusic007]

DiZastur what about marcus miller ?

[@amygraham9221]

Dr. Funk Jonny Rubin. Check him out.

[@stefanba2029]

Les Claypol and Victor

[@theopenstanceacademy487]

I'm so happy whenever Victor freaks out like this. The genius of joy.

[@LeonDieBoer]

I started listening to this song in 1993 and 26 years later I am still listening to it in 2019... #perfect.

[@EarlBeatz]

Happy 30 Years listening anniversary :)

[@federicogatto2635]

2024.. and we’re still here

[@thefool2007]

I saw them a few times in the early 2000's and they KILLED. I mean their music leaves you speechless. it's so powerful that I even cried because they could express so much feeling. Wooten is the greatest (I am partial as a bassist). Howard Levy is so good and deserves a ton of credit for his talents. Fleck is awesome and is worthy of all of the praise and Grammy Awards. Future man completely invented the drummitar and kills with talent an innovation. These are virtuoso giants, each one of them. Worth every penny to see live if you are lucky enough.

[@jesuszendejas1753]

Who is listening with headphones in 2024???

[@DvDPlaya]

best harmonica playing ive ever heard in my life.. (the coolest instrument that fits in a pocket!) 6/3/11 must've been a GREAT day on the mountain

[@Earthdancer46234]

☢ ᴅᴠᴅ ᴘʟᴀʏᴀ ☣ check out Charlie McCoy playing Shenandoah.

[@andyrosstate]

+☢ ᴅᴠᴅ ᴘʟᴀʏᴀ ☣ I agree it's great playing but I've heard better Paul De Lay for one then there's Rick Estrin different styles but masters at what they do ( or did as De Lay is now diseased)

[@TheKungFung]

Check out LD Miller and Michael Kelsey's song "It's Alright"...... They are both wicked talented musicians.

[@KaiserBlade]

Stevie Wonder on the Eurythmics " Talking to an Angel". Best harp ever. Chromatic.

[@isitu4me]

It still makes me smile in joy every time I listen to this song. :) Who's still listening to this song in 2018?!

[@VanessaOdry]

Somdeb Roy same here! Listening to it almost everyday this week! :)

[@mikeregalado526]

Agree!

[@wygakyl]

Any time I see another disgusting Pat Robertson clip, him spewing his ugliness, I follow it up with a balancing "Sinister Minister" for purification.

[@bradcrabtree9276]

Love. Saw them do in Salt Lake City at the Zepher Club in 92" on my way to the Mardi Gras Dead shows in Oakland.

[@soon3rfan]

2019

[@mcliester]

The thing about The Flecktones is, whether it's the first time you've ever heard them or you've been a fan from the beginning, THEY FREAKIN BLOW YOU AWAY :D

[@damank.k3835]

What Wooten did, makes me realize that not only play music through the instrument but also have fun with it. he's really an inspiration for me. :)

[@lisbethbird8268]

God's gift an he knows it. Give credit where due.

[@FrankEnanoza]

Victor Wooten is such a riot to see live.

[@jmvlock1929]

***** Nicest guy in the world, too.

[@spaztron5000]

He seems like he radiates joy

[@anthonyjames2096]

True, caught a show in Atlanta - Soul Circus years ago. He featured all his brothers. Entire shows seem to be based around them. Then with about 45 minutes left, Victor took over and it was amazing. By the end of the night you truly wondered if he had the extra arms and hands like on the album cover. It was literally a circus. I put that right up there with the performance that Stanley Clarke did in 1993 at Bogart's in Cincinnati. The two best-bass performances I ever seen live in my life.

[@dsvideoWashington]

I fell out of my chair the first time I saw him.

[@kokokashi603]

met victor backstage a couple months ago, best show ever!

[@bsmithgates]

I've been a musician all my life. But these guys are Aliens. No mere human being can do this. R.Lee Smith

[@digitalboomer]

Yes indeed. Not to be believed until you hear Levy play. I would say the best in the world without question, if there is such a thing.

[@jamesha175]

OMG did he just flip his bass all around hisself and finish right on the good foot? indeed he did. harmonica man is the true star here.

[@Nic-r2q]

Who is listening to this music in 2020 is a superstar...

[@sonnycapolupo]

The coolest banjo I've ever seen

[@MattThompsonOnGoogle]

I've never seen Vic juggle his bass... Holy shnikeys.

[@kayciecarryl3366]

I got to do monitors for these guys in Madison WI in the ' 90s. BEST SHOW EVER!!!!! I got to hear all the parts played on my headphones. What a treat! UFOTOFU!!!!

[@maxmidgett5046]

You know you’re a good musician when your band mates stare at you in awe during your solo.

[@pogmothoin2558]

I love me my Victor Wooten. I have been lucky to see Bela Fleck and the Flecktones in concert several times. Never ceases to amaze me. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@scottehm86]

I acknowledge and respect you, Future Man! Genius runs in the family, ❤

[@brucejackson8228]

I'm blown away! Now I've seen Victor Wooten live, he is amazing. In April, I'll get to see the whole band!

[@digitalboomer]

Sure glad I got to see the original Flecktones earlier this year. Nothing quite like 'em. Levy did what I think was a 5 minute harmonica solo that I will never forget. That, and his virtuoso piano playing could have filled the night, but then to have all four of these guys, each a virtuoso in their own right, be playing for a couple of hours was unbelievable. When the show was over, I lifted my jaw off the ground and went home with a smile a some great memories. thanks for posting.

[@nossasamba403]

That's INSANE Man! There are no words to describe the skills I have just heard and witnessed here!! Standing ovation!!!!

[@rexy1]

HARMONICA THATS ALL I CAN SAY DAAAAMMMMMM

[@GeddyPastorius]

Can't go wrong with Sinister Minister, and the Flecktones of course. I saw them back in Portland this past July (on Howard's birthday!) I was the closest to the stage in the entire venue, about 2 feet away from Vic's feet, a spot I stood hours to get... Anyway, they ended their set (before an encore with Bruce Hornsby) with this classic. Let's just say to watch a 15 min Victor Wooten bass solo live, with bass acrobatics/flips, from 2 feet away, was easily one of the greatest moments of my life!

[@rhanina]

4:25 Even Bela Fleck was surprised. ''Oh shit... I must flee!''

[@Esaw100]

The Band is Absolutely Fantastic! Fantastic Solo Vic!

[@sangwaraumo]

So much music in each of these guys. Having them together is overkill.

[@chrisreeves3991]

Good god I still love and adore that switch into swung 8's for the outro. So diff from the Live Art, and so perfeck. Perfeck. True jazz, change it up. Oh my god what a good group of musicians.

[@brianlandry2953]

Absolutely love,,, but don't know how they got the name' Bela fleck' any info.. ?? Sincerely a fan, son of a neighborhood good guy..too, go get it ....a friend of Rochester.. lan

[@seldenification]

Brian Landry Béla Fleck is the name of the banjo player

[@jimmcmonagle6906]

Mountain jam was great times.I was there for all of them.dont remember too much but I know i Lost my mind.peace and love brother's and sisters

[@pondelion1]

Béla Fleck & The Flecktones is definitely the most awesome band ever !

[@scottsworth36]

I've been fortunate enough to see these guys in concert twice. Amazing both times.

[@dank266]

my head just exploded from the bass

[@billholdenjr9661]

After seeing these guys multiple times I don't understand how there are so many Phish heads and DeadHeads. There should be a billion FleckHeads!

[@madams6198]

I was a late teen and was half asleep when these guys started this number on some late night show right around 1990. I was up all night teaching myself that tune. I've seen Flecktones and Fleck and Wooten solo or in other projects, but this cut takes me back to my teens and to see the originals back still doing it is a better than ice cream!

[@scottdorfler3375]

When I listen to the Flecktones I'm absolutely sure that God exists.

[@Jojomusic007]

Usually i feel the same when i eat a good couscous from algeria

[@mcdarkness4779]

When I listen to the Flecktones I'm absolutely sure that the Flecktones exist.

[@DrDizzleFrizzle]

and his name is Victor Wooten.

[@LeonDieBoer]

for sure, because such talent cannot come from "natural randomness" and luck.

[@conorgately7755]

When the Flecktones announce their tour dates, God takes on human form so he can be first in line to buy tickets.

[@althejazzman]

I had no idea it was possible to play harmonica like that! I thought it was a sax or clarinet solo at first.

[@lukefullerton509]

banjo in Jazz has to be one of the coolest inventions that these has come about in the last few years and coupled with this band of absolute virtuosoes I am at a loss for words

[@sultanofswing7198]

You mean 3 decades ago.

[@johnc7801]

Hooked the second I heard that bass!!

[@brianolsen8461]

* absolutely amazing every time I hear your jams+ A+++ astounding coordination *

[@christophesoreau8586]

Magnifique, quel groove dans ce morceau et quel jeux pour ces musiciens exceptionnels !

[@ZMB-on5ub]

Fleck is just as good on a small stage with his wife, who has a hell of a voice and is an incredible banjo player as well. Their kids are gonna be music prodigies!

[@lisbethbird8268]

I fell in love with her 1st time I saw them.

[@Floridapirate1]

Seen these guys back in the late 80s maybe early 90s at Castleton State College in Vermont.... What a blast !!!

[@Geomaster115]

I love how bela fleck was like "Oh shit i better back the fuck up!"

[@stevenfrancis3234]

lol i kno right

[@TheStCareca]

Oh my god... Vic's spinning a Fodera... That's Awesome... BUT INSANE!

[@Godswill247always]

Idol is small g god

[@richardleonard4281]

Now , that's just showin' off . Holy moly.

[@alexandergrande8310]

Bela Fleck is insane. His playing is like sweet chocolate to my ears

[@doctorstrainlove6318]

This guy is still listening to this in 2020. This is the real shit, this is pretty much most peoples favorite bands, favorite band at this point.. but bela fleck & the wooten brothers play huge roles in music & we can't forget that..

[@RSCL_BEATZ]

For those of you that don't know, 4:02 riff is what is called "In the pocket"

[@pattieferguson8614]

WOW!!! I was having a conversation with my brother about Béla Fleck but the bassist Victor Wooten is completely mindblowing here...just blew my mind with his antics. Thank you guys great piece. I miss listening to you...

[@cheezebagz729]

As a bassist I can tell you exactly what victor wooten did HE BLEW MY MIND WTF

[@user-gt9qo6wm8r]

Love these guys what a great trip

[@bubblerum69002]

One of the best shows I’ve had the pleasure to see was Béla Fleck, Keller Williams and Yonder Mountain String Band. I think it was called the Acoustic Planet Tour. It was as close to a perfect show as is possible, very fortunate to have experienced it!

[@lisbethbird8268]

Yeah I can imagine. I never even heard Yonder till like couple weeks ago. Check out the Franklin's w Kreutzman & Hart!! Raise the roof people!

[@tybrown4540]

Amazing!!!!!!!!

[@declanallan885]

all these years later, Victor Wooten still is the cream of the crop with regard to bassists, such a mind blowing musician!

[@billsmith2212]

I have seen them live many times - but NOT ENOUGH ! They are ALL BADASS !

[@danw.7935]

This gives me the chills every time.

[@donnapate4616]

Blows my mind every time I view it! 💞

[@mikeangle123]

victor, could you at least look at your bass to pretend that what you are doing seems hard to you

[@garycitro1674]

I've seen a LOT of bassists in my day. He was the most technically proficient of any of 'em.

[@joforgefe12]

0:15 "Thank you for listening to us... Victor Wooten at the bass..." * Vic raises his hand to wave but keeps playing without a slight difference * He doesn't need his eyes on the bass and neither one hand.

[@goprodog4304]

What an odd comment.

[@trixiebelden8432]

Lol fr

[@RikardPeterson]

He looks pretty concentrated during his solo - he probably wouldn't have been able to play that while looking at the base (that would make it harder, you know).

[@konagolden4209]

Belated Happy Birthday, Bela! Awesome guy, amazing band!

[@srsbassman]

This is such a GREAT version of this one!

[@cypriancyganek6830]

absolute geniuses!!!

[@caydenclutter4502]

2019 babbyyyyyyy

[@madogblue]

Wow a Bass solo worth watching

[@CreezDrummer]

I was front and center for this and just so happened to run into Victor Wooten twice during the festival. Awesome show!

[@agilla]

Wow, what a fabulous way to start a Friday morning :0) Love Victor!

[@DavidJones-ey6ie]

Sick. Saw him with Abigail Washburn at The Down Home in Johnson City Tennessee and at Bonnaroo with Jeff Coffin!

[@peaelare]

thanks to the youtube algorithm for throwing this in my view in 2019. win.

[@andymelendez9757]

I’ve met everyone except Howard. Real people who do extraordinary things. Inspirational to say the least.

[@yossarian1974]

I've only met Howard, but am pleased to report he's exactly the same 😊

[@klnine]

Gorgeous group , out there

[@percyvolnar8010]

This is my favorite version of the flecktones!

[@BGCalloway]

Many years ago I TOLD YOU SO!!! You should go now...Better get you tickets now!

[@alward5678]

Incredible Music....Love it

[@blakewhittington4336]

Saw this lineup in 95 at the Park West in Chicago

[@roquefurtado013]

...totalmente excelente!!!! - santos/sp/brasil/dez/2019...

[@questkid73]

The original crew...was always missing that howard levy factor...i hope they continue this way

[@lisbethbird8268]

Does anyone remember Tom Coffin? Obo, bassoon, flute or something. He was great, actually.

[@lisbethbird8268]

Wait, was it Jeff ?? I think Tom Coffin was a kid from high school.

[@JeffBrown781]

@@lisbethbird8268 Jeff Coffin was the saxophonist you're thinking of. Loved his contributions, honestly. He joined Dave Matthews Band in 2009 and has been with them ever since.

[@worldcitizen9202]

who knew that all I needed in my life was a banjo with a wah wah pedal. Now my life is complete ....

[@geoffreyharold]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BELA!

[@amonterangiwhetutahau9228]

Such a great piece of music!

[@ajdsr56]

I need something to perk up my lousy day and this did it. Victor, we'll meet one day. #thatsolothere WOW!!!

[@GaryJibilian]

Holy crap! Just, Holy Crap!!

[@bl3805]

Harmonica player... sooo amazing

[@MrChadbag]

They are all so amazing.

[@jeffpower6473]

30 years and the bass around the neck trick doesn’t get old!

[@TimothyRyanFisher]

The other Jazz. Best musicians on the planet. I'm always on the lookout for Howard, he lives in Evanston, I live in Evanston, he gets groceries, I get groceries, I can't think of a harp player who is better.

[@kirillsaraykin5123]

This is so fucking amazing! Thank you guys, you made me happy today. Street magic!

[@pung2633]

I love this so much💛 brilliant!!

[@rickrudd]

So, I came in to the Bela era during the Jeff Coffin years. Totally missed the original rendition. DIGGING the second time around.

[@PanosK777]

The sheer groove of it!!!

[@kennethroth2823]

If you want to hear elite blue grass give Bela Fleck a listen their song “Sinister Minister” would be a great start.

[@pelumaad331]

Bluegrass?

[@lisbethbird8268]

@Matt Strathis @Eric Bedenbaugh extraordinary to meet y'all watching old classic. Joys up my rusty old heart. Thanks! Eric, my Dad had a decent banjo he never learned to play. Now my brother has it if he didn't sell it. (He's a skilled guitar hand). Maybe I'll track it down just for kicks.

[@floydcouncil1690]

First time hearing these guys. Holy crap.

[@michaelmelanson7550]

Hasn't been a comment in 2021. Time to change that! Still such a great jam!