Bela Fleck & The Flecktones - The Sinister Minister

[@dropclutch1]

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

[@joannehack7588]

😎

[@RobbieTable]

That's because Bella is so cool and sounds so great

[@JacobBeron]

I did not!

[@LeydenAigg]

Yes. Yes, I did know.

[@Necro-s]

I love how the song just randomly turned into Classical Thump

[@theoutlandos]

They are so young here.

[@robertkaye5434]

I was there! In fact, I introduced the band to the festival producers/promoters the year before when they opened for Take 6 @ the Florida Theatre. The next year, the then-relatively unknown band played @ the Jax Jazz Festival and BLEW the crowd away. Next year they were the headliners. ;^D

[@ajeveryday1980]

So?

[@jazzpunk]

We had a similar thing here at the Townepoint Jazz Fest (Norfolk, VA). A lotta people here already knew the Wootens...did not matter, they took no prisoners!

[@holdenlouie2905]

@@ajeveryday1980 what's your point

[@JeremyAndersonBoise]

@@ajeveryday1980 Way to be a dick for no reason, we're all very impressed.

[@TomiTakamaa]

Holy crap, that is so cool!

[@SirSelby]

I want some of whatever that guy at 5:25 is on.

[@JordanClunn]

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

[@ОлегТитов-б6л]

its from Classical Thump

[@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!

[@joannehack7588]

Wow- that minister sure musta’ been mighty sinister 😊

[@sacramentalist]

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

[@adambomb2877]

Ya, these guys are totally down to earth and cool dudes. I saw them live at yoshi's in SF about 8 years ago or something and the whole group stayed after the show to sign autographs and chat face to face with the audience in the lobby to the place. I asked Vic how he did this cool thing I saw during one of his solos that night where he bent a harmonic note and gave it a tremello effect and he explained it to me as he was signing my merch.

[@imarriedabrkfsttaco3737]

@@adambomb2877 may have been the Kahler bass trem he was using,but he can surely mimic that effect with those hands of granite! Probably crush a bowling ball with those fkers.

[@GravyeaYTprodzzzzzzzz]

Perhaps most talented ensemble ever assembled. Seen flecktones 10x over the years and victor solo . but never at this stage of the game WOW reminds me of early Primus recordings with les claypool wailing away with no effects . Some people just God gifted and then some. Vic the best ,top of any list. See Bela on Marc Maron!! this week

[@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.

[@jcunningham8041]

I mean Futureman is absolutely #1 at whatever the hell that thing is

[@jazzpunk]

Must be nice being a badass...knowing you're going to a gig with 3 other badasses.

[@scottnewbury4045]

Amazing!!! Loved this performance since I was a little kid. Those dudes are music heroes.

[@rfmorris]

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

[@nickjackson7475]

Bela's solo- 1:54 Victor's solo- 2:43

[@1016vortex]

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

[@DavidCKendall]

They just make you cry!

[@MrBobguitar4]

Classic. Love these guys. Totally blew me away when I first saw them in '95

[@normfromal]

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

[@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.

[@SirSelby]

Almost. 1991

[@azcrim]

This song introduced me to the band. And it was through VH! of all places, back when Ben Sidran hosted a show. Saw the band with Howard back in 2011, double bill with Bruce Hornsby.

[@ssureshot]

The '91 Jacksonville Jazz Festival - I was there!! Even as the group has evolved, they continue to be great..

[@AtheistJesus]

NGL, I wish I had been there. I was 8. I have the poster from that year, I think.

[@billkirbymusic]

The quote is from "Classical Thump", by Victor Wooten.

[@mysticalgerald]

I wish i was there, holy mother of Jesus, WOW!

[@brockshields9336]

Truly amazing, Bass!

[@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.

[@angrydingus5256]

so much talent right here, great performers.

[@lowenbad]

This performance changed the way I saw and approached the bass… way back when I was 15 or 16. I thought Primus was a crazy as you could get before I saw this. I studied Victor’s performance for months.

[@Dgager1]

This is absolutely amazing!

[@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!

[@FeatherCl]

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

[@vaportrails7943]

I saw them around this time, in a small venue with the Dave Mathews Band, before anybody knew them. It takes me back to how much better things were then. People were happy, friendly, chill and had a sense of humor. The absurdity of this was typical. American society has regressed in so many ways since then. Things have gotten worse, not better.

[@pulykamell]

Nah. People both sucked and were great back then, too, as they are now. I don't buy this "downward societal spiral" nonsense. My kids are FARRRRR more tolerating of people different than them than my generation was at that age.

[@vaportrails7943]

@@pulykamell People were absolutely happier in the 80s.

[@carsonpalmer8830]

victor wooten is sinister with it

[@davebrent01]

thanks so much for posting

[@acwest5206]

This was the first time I ever saw these guys play....it was on PBS. I was hooked! I got to see them in person at the House of Blues in Vegas years later...around 2003 I think. Front row with Futureman sitting on and playing a slapbox! He used his drumitar too, but mostly the slapbox. Small stage but intimate setting. Also, I remember that Victor was voted Bass Player of the Year at least once. I can't remember if Howard Levy was there or not...strange. Anyway, I did see Howard Levy play a song with Cyndi Lauper on a SoundStage Show she did back in 2004. He was good as ever on his harmonica. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pX6cl36JgK6MZ5o&pbjreload=101

[@Floridapirate1]

top shelf.... always has been....

[@jbdmb]

That is accurate.

[@Omardetinez]

It is taken from a Bach's prelude, the one which Gounod took as a base for his Ave Maria

[@stephcab]

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

[@kenpatterson714]

Don't get much better than that!

[@TheLastOilMan]

so underated . cmon USA ! You have icons here !

[@Mooseboy08]

Every version of this group is totally amazing… but, having said that, this original version is my favorite with Howard, "The Man with Two Brains". And of course, any band with the Wooten Bros. is not from this planet!

[@scottdorfler94]

A freaken men!!!!!####!!!!

[@jazzpunk]

...make that 3 brains.

[@dindglebeaver]

great video U got thanks 4 sharing :-)

[@secretbandwagon]

Here to watch 4:50 over and over 😎

[@Rainalot]

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

[@arkyandy9612]

I had to be there

[@jameselliott5390]

aye good music tah

[@Drbarrelroll369]

Young wooten

[@gvona1]

That's Futureman's (Roy Wooten's) Synthax Drumitar. A very neato MIDI controller that he uses to control the percussion sounds

[@adamkaya663]

What instrument is Black Sparrow playing?

[@andrewmichor7207]

the drumitar. an instrument of his creation

[@marceliovanov2004]

+Andrew Michor *couch* listen to wooten's brother, google bela fleck and the flecktones (try a live)

[@questkid73]

+Mohaxmed Kayaplex That's Roy Wooten aka Futureman show some respect!

[@frogpelt]

+Mohaxmed Kayaplex Synthaxe Drumitar, Zendrum, it was invented by Future Man.

[@yyguuyg]

LUL

[@joannehack7588]

😁

[@n.rogers2273]

So I guess Futureman always dressed like a pirate?

[@Basskid2007]

Future man)

[@SteveHurlock]

woah!

[@coolmaster5000]

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

[@lorenzodegani6971]

fantastikkkkkkok

[@coolmaster5000]

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

[@rayjones3212]

Go bassman, go!

[@thetownwaites118]

These people just saw God's hand at work

[@SteveDeHaven]

Yeah, that'd be a "No." I've never seen "God" post a video.

[@charlenetaylor5548]

I swear Victor's the one from another planet....

[@tomlehr861]

I wore this casette out

[@sparkchaser]

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

[@irfanmyg]

4:47 beast mode activated.

[@timbobwe1]

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

[@digitalboomer]

The original band back together again, is actually better then when they were the original band back then, I am very happy to say! Awesome!

[@catamaranman333]

Bass solo starts at 2:40

[@joannehack7588]

🐫

[@joannehack7588]

Reminds me of you guys playin’ at the Cockeyed Camel venue in Nashville,TN 1990’s.🐪

[@atvbass10]

Geez. Take me back to this time. No phones, no narcissistic morons documenting everything for a vlog or taking selfies. You actually listened. You actually paid attention. You took everything in. Great times!

[@timbobwe1]

What instrument is the pirate playing?

[@Blaterator]

3:26 Anybody know the classical tune Vic is quoting here?

[@lucianostizzoli2676]

Katrina Lefay The Rite Of Spring - Dmitri Shostakovich, the one conducted by Alejandro Urrutio

[@Maje.musica]

What instrument is that pirate dressed dude holding?

[@crescentfreshbret]

That’s a synth-axe drumitar, an instrument he invented. He took a synth-axe, which is this sort of synthesizer guitar instrument and modified it by attaching a bunch of percussion and sound-effect pads to it. That’s what he uses for the band’s drums and percussion (although he eventually replaced the original, cobbled-together model seen here with a sleek, red, custom made one). The really cool thing, though, is that he actually does play the drums and is a very skilled drummer at that. There’s videos on KZbin of him doing solos where he simultaneously plays a drum kit and a drumitar. It’s quite a sight to behold. He’s actually the bass player, Victor Wooten’s brother, Roy, and the reason for his weird outfit is that he goes by the name of Future Man. He’s a rather eccentric character. The band says in their liner notes that he actually time-traveled here from the future, via a black hole or something like that. He even went so far as to claim that he wasn’t obligated to pay taxes due to his being from the future when he came under fire for tax evasion years ago.

[@RemiBrawler]

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

[@heartsandharmony350]

My mom had a copy of this growing up! Newport Jazz Fest, 1992

[@ChizuMcCheems]

Jeff wasn't a part of the Flecktones yet! Jeff joined after Howard left. But now Jeff plays with DMB and Howard is back now lol.

[@theman7218]

What year is this?

[@regjarrett]

This is from the Jacksonville Jazz Festival in 1991.

[@Chupacvabra]

What is the pirate playing?

[@ffwoodycooks7283]

I think he called it a drumitar. It's basically a drum machine/percussion thing he invented.

[@ffwoodycooks7283]

I think he called it a drumitar. It's basically a percussion/drum machine thing he invented.

[@jimdandy4329]

Superhumans

[@natelogston]

what in the world is that pirate playing?

[@thebasstown]

Who else is here because of @ScottsBassLessons

[@frankysadikin]

Me 🤣

[@EugeneRichardPlanetCheese]

I’m here on my own volition

[@ImDaCommentator]

What the hell is wooten even human?

[@henrysaravia4661]

There are two wootens here and I am sure none of the wootens are human😭

[@okokok32]

wheres jeff?

[@nathandodge665]

Victor is 59 this year.

[@michaeldougherty1980]

@dropclutch1 Cause he is the cat's pajamas

[@1pijnboompit]

That bass player played Bach :-)

[@adirreiner642]

The days when wotten was an incridble bass player, and not just a wizard on the bass

[@strangerson]

Просто пиздец..... Нет слов. Супер!

[@baronsainthelens5253]

Mco sent me

[@Mycoughlin]

Hipster @ 5:25

[@MrcheffBuffOP]

Hey the second like button is turned upside down. What's up with that?

[@theoshan]

@Davie504 I’d like to see you try play this

[@chris68227]

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

[@tonybaltes3402]

Checkmate @davie504

[@banabesobre5836]

sure its classical thumb /watch?v=uoikoCb46mY

[@RattleheadIV]

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

[@mertlokmacioglu3405]

dislike var lan 4 tane resmen ! :D

[@gunnarbenja]

Víctor wooten solo un this video is weak

[@MrBasilGanglia]

Lame 80's crap.

[@gregdolecki8530]

Idiot

[@crescentfreshbret]

MrBasilGanglia This was the 90's.

[@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.