Bela Fleck | My Bluegrass Heart "Big Country" Grey Fox 2022

Bela Fleck | My Bluegrass Heart, featuring an incredible solo from Michael Cleveland, performs "Big Country" at Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival 2022. Brought to you by Less Than Face Productions. Audio by Bill K.

[@TuesdaysJustAsBad]

Bela fleck after Michael's solo made an expression when the audience hollered in excitement. This facial expression is also found in the dictionary next to "Yeah, fuckin' A' right, you better holler." Then he looked back at Michael, the blind man, and nodded. That's some great shit.

[@spokaneman7327]

Big Country is and probably will forever be my favorite Béla Fleck tune. I love hearing it in all its variations. Live at the Quick is still my favorite version, but this may have taken a close second.

[@maxrainwater]

Wow, Michael Cleveland on Big Country is the vibe I never knew I needed

[@RobLifford]

That segue into Down in the Swamp and back out again is just too cool. He's one of the greatest

[@brr9247]

Wow!! Sooo Sooo good and live? Sounds so much better than some studio recording. So much talent on stage here.

[@IMando]

Mark Schatz's huge grin says he agrees with you!

[@funkyfeet412]

I was at this performance in the volunteer section right in front of the stage. A great Grey Fox memory.

[@MsGavbo]

The fact that this video is only at 66k views says more about our world and where it’s at than the amazing artists that just made magic on the screen here. Thank you fellas.

[@64bluegrass]

That’s the mighty Jake Jolliff on mando. I’ve been lucky enough to play with his dad, Bill, a great banjo player. ❤️

[@steveblanchard2712]

Great folks. Played with them in a band for 3 years.

[@jimmymack4079]

I’m completely teared up at this. The duet between Michael Cleveland and Bela Fleck is one of the most magical musical moments I’ve heard in years! The rest of the song is just so right

[@danieldudley9125]

I felt like Bela was just providing context for Michael to play around and develop from. It just kept growing. Haven't heard anything like that in years. Wonderful to behold.

[@Kenny-xh7ms]

​@@danieldudley9125😮

[@ThePabloreeves]

magical!

[@ChristophHenrici]

it‘s the duet , the incredible interplay between Bela & Michael, which blows the top of a tremendous performance by all

[@h.t.n.7222]

How melodically insane would you like your violin solo? Michael Cleveland: yes

[@Toby_iVapour]

Wow, the interplay between them is unparalleled.. on what is of course an absolutely classic tune... It seems so rare for magic like this to be performed on camera - so glad it was! 🙂

[@JamesBaldwinhome]

I can't like this enough. One of my very favorite tunes with a fantastic band of such talented musicians.

[@strazzafurniture]

So agree!!

[@BanjoFrog612]

Puts a tear in your eye. Here’s to hoping Béla and Michael do a duo album together at some point. They are electric together!

[@tairdudeusa7981]

The whole band is terrific but the solo by Michael Cleveland was amazing. No disrespect to any other fiddle players, but Michael has got to be the best there is!

[@loubell5196]

I’ve seen videos of Micheal Cleveland before but didn’t realize he was from my home state as well! Proud Hoosier moment

[@michaelswedberg1918]

One of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. Bela I've been a fan of yours since I was a teenager. Thank you Thank you Thank you!❤️❤️❤️

[@donaldrees3618]

I have to thank you folks who put this together. That was some of the best filming of the musicians as they played so you could actually see what they were doing.

[@LessThanFaceProductions1]

Glad you enjoyed Donald

[@ellenbruckermarshall4179]

Ditto! The cuts made just right with phrasing to the music.

[@panosskentzos]

Grey Fox did the right thing, that's exactly what I'd do too if I had an Elder Scroll, love the Flectone music

[@LarryPerkins78]

wonderful...and great to hear John Hartford's banjo again, too

[@jerryoutlaw3396]

So sweet!!! This is the real stuff.

[@AikiFuz]

Béla always comes off as the most generous, ego-free bandleader I’ve ever seen, always happy to let everyone else take the spotlight first.

[@rickjason215]

In Bluegrass usually everyone on stage gets to solo, except many times the bass player. I alwaywondered if Bela plays any other instruments?

[@AikiFuz]

@@rickjason215He plays guitar and keys, at the very least.

[@TuesdaysJustAsBad]

He is the Maestro.

[@Kenny-xh7ms]

I read somewhere he was once a bassist.

[@Lentin00]

Impressive. And also saw Bela smiling once!

[@tannerevans3056]

With “Down in the Swamp” from Bela’s album Drive there towards the end. That makes this video have 2 of my all time favorite tunes in it. Michael Cleveland! Incredible.

[@ElectricCelt56]

I smiled with incredulity at the fiddle solo, and the Big Country chorus brought tears.

[@MrBUBBAKY]

It brought me to happy tears.

[@ermancroney3805]

Thanks for sharing your favorite form of entertainment with all of us. Wow!

[@kyleboehner535]

My favorite song period.

[@duncanspd]

Holy Bluegrass! Just fantastic all around.

[@kazukibanjobanjochannel4651]

I love this song. beautiful

[@larrycortner2210]

Mickael definitely fell in the groove, absolutely Incredible..

[@ScotchGambino]

The down in the swamp tease was sick!

[@doncharleslundell]

And turned into more than a tease 🎶🪕🎻 😀

[@paulmorris6817]

I have only really been listening to bluegrass over the last 6months and so glad i discovered Bela Fleck after the Womad concert in New Zealand a few years back.Sensational musicianship.

[@elijahsimerson7839]

I played this in a percussion octet in high school, brings back good vibes

[@Joshbaity79]

Well done

[@DogDoc1991]

What a great way to start a spring Sunday. Thanks for posting this amazing performance of Big Country.

[@snapjacksonphotography]

Making John Hartford’s banjo sing!

[@mattkuzma1395]

Saw them live in Wichita last night and it was an amazing show. Same lineup except with Sierra Hull tearing it up on mando.

[@alexanderednie1205]

One of Belas most beautiful compositions

[@papaw5405]

The best of the best!

[@gssong7111]

love those spiros growling under the bow back there!

[@sconor1]

F'in incredible; Cleveland's chords, melodies and phrasing is beyond belief...and it just pours out of him like water! Well done!

[@AlekSpeck]

I played Little League baseball on the festival grounds Grey Fox takes place upon. Below this stage. I look back fondly now on the linebacker-like body hit, while playing third base, I took from the home team's runner. This has been my favorite song of the Fleckstones since that album came out.

[@gbrmusic]

Have mercy. Simply fantastic...

[@Mourningbeers]

Absolutely amazing performance.

[@user-gc4jp3fo7b]

👍👏👏⭐💐

[@ShaunMcCance]

This is easily my favorite Flecktones song, and I love it even more with a bluegrass lineup. I just wish this rendition was on the album.

[@ellenfalls1330]

Thanks, Face. I was lucky enough to see this group at Carnegie Hall one year ago when Billy Strings and others sat in. You've enhanced my 2022. Happy 2023!

[@LessThanFaceProductions1]

Thanks Ellen! We appreciate it!

[@ryancohenmusic]

The past 10 minutes and 6 seconds somehow made everything okay again.

[@Olha_72]

Дуже гарна музика. Дякую. Насолоджуюсь.

[@mitchhanick3600]

That was awesome! Thanks for posting.

[@LessThanFaceProductions1]

Thanks for watching Mitch

[@justinmaxwell86]

I remember seeing an interview of doc Watson and some kid with a fiddle… that kid is Michael Cleveland… holy shit! This guy is setting off bush fires with that fiddle playing

[@mikewillifordjr]

That’s like an exciting drive to grandmas house and the ending is when you pull up and smell apple pie

[@superjay42]

Michael's solo is obviously a barn-burner, but that three-way conversation between Bryan, Jacob, and Justin starting around 3m00s is just sublime 🙏

[@seththompson1584]

❤❤❤ cool banjo player 😊😊😊

[@rogberube6422]

Wonderful.

[@edwebb5467]

Great Song

[@jlange6171]

Sometimes I struggle with whether or not Bryan is inspiring or completely discouraging! Unparalleled! Depending on my mood he'll make me want to play for hours, or sometimes tell myself I should just pack it up and enjoy!😂

[@freebird1969]

Sweetness.

[@michaelbresciani9428]

WOW

[@adamadeptus3686]

How was Bela not smiling like the bassist during that fiddle solo??

[@BanjosandRobots]

Great playing! When bluegrass becomes acoustic jazz. Looks like Bela is playing an early model Deering Hartford. Have never seen him play it before. I own one myself, easier on an old guy's back than most Mastertones.

[@cliffworks748]

smile guys!

[@cjnav7832]

BelaSuave!

[@DRayL_]

That fiddle player.......OMG!

[@josephpashka7369]

Shmokin' !

[@tn3294]

holy fiddle batman!

[@hbrianunderwood4946]

Is that Bryan Sutton on guitar?

[@LessThanFaceProductions1]

Chris Eldridge on guitar

[@mattkuzma1395]

Yes, that’s Bryan Sutton.

[@Roses_R_redeR]

🔥🥀🥀⛽️🎭⛽️🥀🥀🔥

[@smalloy88]

this rivals the transatlantic sessions version of this tune

[@Stameboat]

Who’s playing slide? I’ve seen him in a lot of stuff but never actually know who he is.

[@LessThanFaceProductions1]

Jerry Douglas

[@jeffwolinski2659]

NOT Jerry Douglas, that's Justin Moses.

[@JochenVogel]

How to not play "Loch Lomond"...and then some. And I'm so glad to hear Michael Cleveland finally play with the best of his genre. That's where he belongs.

[@printsfoot9466]

ジョンハートフォードのバンジョーか？？

[@Wifebuyer]

Yes it is!!

[@lynnemarie2022]

Amazing musicianship indeed, but the song is just too long.😳

[@billstetler6769]

This isn’t bluegrass

[@mikebastiat]

Hipster crap

[@ravveana8396]

Y hay algún problema si no fuera bluegrass... Venga disfruta de la música, déjate llevar y olvida prejuicios

[@ronoliphant2680]

this sounds more like an intro than Big Country, it ain't got nothin to do with big country.

[@dgrossiter8610]

I thought it would be the Jimmy Martin instrumental. This one puts me to sleep. sorry.

[@leonlobos9718]

I play both on banjo. Same name but different. I find this much harder to play, but it is less energy than Jimmy's. I love Jimmy Martin. Had a few shots os whiskey with him in the day. This version has a few quotes from Bela's drive album - probably his best album! FYI I'm 69 and have been playing since 1977. Take another listen.

[@mikebastiat]

Same. I got cheated.