Bela Fleck, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Mark O'Connor & Edgar Myer Live on the Lonesome Pine Special HQ

Mark O'Connor, Bela Fleck, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas & Edgar Myer Live on the Lonesome Pine Special

[@adamhill1216]

Who else is grateful for KZbin, connecting us with this masterpiece ❤️

[@Trollificusv2]

This is the music that Music listens to.

[@sarahdrawz]

real

[@AaronSpielman]

Strength In Numbers. The album these guys recorded is one of the best acoustic records *ever*

[@goofe.washington953]

A masterpiece. All these guys are “musicians’ musicians”. The best in the biz.

[@Raised-Right]

Absolutely

[@GeeWillikersMan]

I will co-sign on this as fact.

[@lonetreesteelhorse]

the crowd has no idea how good this is. This is a new genre of music just coming out of the womb. Five virtuosos allowing each other, encouraging each other to be unselfish. The sum is so much greater than the parts, but each part is an unselfish virtuoso. Phenomenal.

[@Trollificusv2]

Well put.

[@grendo45]

i think this performance was in the 80s, more than 30 years ago. Wouldnt call that just coming out of the womb.

[@RowanGolightly]

Check out the Goat Rodeo Sessions and the Punch Brothers. More of the same sort of thing.

[@bobthabuilda1525]

@@grendo45 The op was talking about the live crowd that was present at the filming of this show. The amount of time elapsed between then and now would be irrelevant.

[@grendo45]

@@bobthabuilda1525 ohh i see

[@JamesScottGuitar]

Arguably the Greatest Group of Musicians in Acoustic Music, ever. #StrengthInNumbers #Music #Acoustic

[@bikeboatski5692]

Truly amazing! But I bet Vasser and Doc Watson, and maybe John Hartford would have something to contribute...if they were around!

[@frankmurphyburr3598]

+JamesScottGuitar hard to argue with that

[@JordanRiehm]

I agree. This is still the bar.

[@RDBradeen77]

While I understand you saying "arguably" to remain PC JamesScott, there really is no arguing that point. They were unequivocally the best acoustic group assembly. Each man near the top position or at #1 on their respective instruments. Virtuosic!!

[@Trollificusv2]

Strength In Numbers. Yep, I've always said that same thing about them. You can make arguments for certain individual musicians to be added or subtracted, but really, these guys can play more than I can even listen, so...

[@elrioviolino3549]

Them thar's a gaggle o' jacked-up fellers if ever I seen one....Marvelous....absolutely marvelous ......

[@frankmurphyburr3598]

Bela is the master , Edgar is sublime and faultless, Jerry is god on a dobro, Mark O'Connor is the greatest multi-instrumentalist in the univers, and Sam Bush just thinks he's in a metal band, I love them

[@davec7759]

+dougie hamilton Shit!, I thought this WAS a metal band!! Must be gettin' old, but still lovin' it!!

[@davec7759]

+dougie hamilton Shit!, I thought this WAS a metal band!! Must be gettin' old, but still lovin' it!!

[@Trollificusv2]

Gotta have Sam Bush in there just for the joy and headbanging.

[@RetiredInThailand]

@@Trollificusv2The best rhythm player in the universe (Not that he can't pick either.) Fleck, O'connor, and Douglas are unarguably the top of the top, of the top, at their instruments (especially at that time.) Myer is the only outlier here, he's merely tied for the top of the top of the top of is instrument. The Newgrass Revival version of this band was awesome too ... got to see them play live.

[@plm7311]

Sam - Metal Band. I don't get your point.

[@FancyTailAquatics]

Believe it or not, my Uncle(s) knew Sam Bush in KY. He showed up at one of our reunions as both of my Uncles played music. I played Keyboards at the time of maybe 14, We all jammed for hours in a cabin on Nolin Lake! I'll never forget that moment as I did not know who he was until many years later. At the time I had a Juno 106 and I'll never forgive myself of letting it go when the digital age hit. This would have been around maybe 1985/86ish? Also, knew the Kentucky Headhunters as well.

[@Raised-Right]

Greatest super group ever

[@Trollificusv2]

I dunno how you would get better.

[@MarkMcCluney]

Edgar's command of the instrument is extraordinary.

[@goodwintrent2989]

Amen!

[@bobbieolsen7264]

Extraordinary, simply the best that Americana has to offer!

[@williamglassjr.393]

Timeless 😊

[@glynngalley4285]

Saw this set live in Nashville early 90s, best night of music ever!

[@lonetreesteelhorse]

If you can't see and hear this as a turning point in string music history, you don't know strings.

[@johnsauls1021]

These are some of the very finest musicians in the world. Do not take my word for it. That's what the players say out there.

[@gracestokes3288]

It’s now December 2022 and I can still never get enough of this. These guys get better with age and what a legacy they will leave and open to the next generation of musical genius. So honored to continue to have them performing live. Almost no words necessary…… just listen and be mesmerized.

[@KCBarr1]

If ever there was more talent together in one room, I have yet to see it. Alone these guys are masters. Together they are incredible.

[@JamesScottGuitar]

Amen

[@sigmasix99]

Nope. Many, many years ago at the Birchmere in VA, I saw Jerry, Mark, David Grisman, JD Crowe and Tony Rice together (don't remember the bass player). Jerry and Mark are still the best dobro and fiddle players there are. Tony is still the best bluegrass guitar player there is, and his health is failing. Whether JD is a better banjo player than Bela is arguable compared to Alvin Breeden, Steve Vestral or Buck Trent doesn't matter, Noam (pickles) Pikelny is the best I've ever heard. I've been waiting 40 years to hear a bluegrass guitar player better than Tony (I'm not holding my breath). Don't get me started on how good Chris Thile is

[@sigmasix99]

For all you youngin's out there, look up a guitar player named Clarence White. He was killed by a drunk driver around '71.

[@Talcupp]

Steve Johnson Amen to that. Folks seem to have forgotten Clarence. I saw in in '70 with the Byrds. Terrific. On electric too.

[@eddiewillers1442]

"If ever there was more talent together in one room" Not since The Beatles broke up.

[@TH-wq2yw]

Superb, Amazing. Saw them on PBS at 1am after work. Mezmerizing, blew me away. Truly masters at their work. Never stop listening to them even if it's the same songs over and over. I wonder if the people in crowd who never heard of SIN know they're in for a treat. Can't stop smiling when i watch them play close up's. Yeah go! looks fun when yer good,right?

[@TrentHutchesonTNasty]

Far Out I've been looking for this one I was looking and listening when first came out I'm almost certain the unlabeled video tape is in one of the big boxes

[@cbtrules]

I first heard this CD in 1992, and it is still one of my all time favorites. Five amazing musicians with great respect for each other, and having fun at the same time. Hard to beat it.

[@Trollificusv2]

Virtuosity AND genius from top to bottom.

[@mathewsmith7305]

Strength in Numbers was an all-star side project comprised of Sam Bush (fiddle/mandolin), Jerry Douglas (dobro), Béla Fleck (guitar/banjo), Mark O'Connor (fiddle/guitar/mandolin), and Edgar Meyer (bass). The artists were familiar with one another, having performed in the same circles for years, as well as on the same stage -- in numerous incarnations -- at the annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival. Strength in Numbers grew out of appearances by the group as sort of the de facto house band at the Colorado festival; Telluride Sessions, its only album, documented the easygoing newgrass fusion that Strength in Numbers would often perform there. Accomplished bluegrass musicians all, the members of Strength in Numbers were also steeped in the jazz and classical traditions, which found their way into the arrangements on Telluride Sessions. Most of the bandmembers said there would never be another Strength in Numbers album after the first. But since each musician continued to play on the others' albums and appear at festivals such as Telluride, the potential for more genius was there. ~sez FATMATHATCHY

[@mathewsmith7305]

fatmathatchy.blogspot.com/2016/12/useing-twitter-for-mass-connection-with.html

[@bezuglich]

I love this sound . . . guitar-less, no bar chords, more-prominent bass . . . + bowing!

[@brachashighhopeshomestead226]

YES!!! bass miked more!! isn't it great.

[@Trollificusv2]

It's always good to feature Edgar. The wonderful performance of Mark playing guitar on "Slopes" isn't on this performance. Too bad. The only thing wrong with this is there should be more of it,

[@oldesttimer]

The most delightful marination of genious musicians ,I have ever heard......If it were played as elevator music ,I would never leave.........Being put on hold,would be a pleasure if this music were played. ! ....it is now on my desktop for great listening while working on the computer.......BTW. almost didn't recognize Mark without his trademark hat .

[@Dulcimerea]

this is music heaven

[@lizaru123]

This is amazing. Can't believe how old this is and how young they look. Agreed their talent is unmatched.

[@MikeKobb]

Watching Edgar play is always a revelation. Such economy of movement, while producing amazing music.

[@papa-ql3xb]

I can't believe there was a time I didn't know these guys. God, what I missed for years! I can't believe the amount of talent on that stage. Masters, all!!!

[@pauleanonymous]

I can't believe how unbelievably talented Mark O'Connor is.. (and all the rest of course)

[@dreadnaught90]

New heights in acoustic music. Stunning performances by unbelievably gifted musicians.

[@Trollificusv2]

Unbelievable. Yeah. The music is wonderful, the performance is great and at every turn they show some musical creativity that I wouldn't have thought possible.

[@jackd.ripper7613]

In a way, this reminds me of "Indian" music a la Ravi Shankar in that it requires concentrated listening to get a full appreciation of the incredible musicianship here. I defy anyone to categorize this music. It's not bluegrass, spacegrass, jazz, country or anything else. This is musician's music. I'm going to see Bela Fleck and Chick Correa later this month.

[@Trollificusv2]

Yeah, when I try and tell people about the best music I've ever heard, I don't know what to tell them it is, either.

[@MuMu-fu7qe]

I call it symphonic new grass lol

[@dannoharlski]

Fantastic performance! I would like to see Tony Rice up there with them.

[@fortuenti]

That would have been awesome but I least I saw him many times with most of them - even before he lost his singing voice. What a tragedy. He was as great a singer as a guitarist.

[@fortuenti]

At the 24 min mark, Bela explains why they mostly excluded guitar.

[@jamesculnan3144]

Astounding.

[@redtale2001]

What a treat. Been a huge fan of all these guys forever but didn't think I'd ever get to see this kind of footage. Thank you SO much for making this available. Dang, tears before breakfast even!

[@BrandonPetrucci]

Sam is also their drummer with that mandolin, his style is so powerful...

[@timothymarkonis3630]

He's their incarnate superhuman metronome, also.

[@donaldscobie8455]

I was at that show. I think they advertised it as the Nashville Masters. Wish I could find the video stash and the audio stash of the Lonesome Pine Specials.

[@chilblain1]

Strength in Numbers indeed

[@sandybear61]

Talk about pure magic -- imagine seeing them on a gorgeous Saturday night in Telluride against the backdrop of the San Juan mountains. Incredible!

[@jjjb9098]

I recently saw a YT vid of Mark playin the heck out of the mandolin. He's such an immensely gifted musician!

[@donaldbass6737]

Jazz and Blue Grass have always been very similar in their intricate structure. Now take the virtuoso in each instrument in Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Jerry Douglas, Mark O'connor and Sam Bush and Strength In Numbers resulted. I bought this CD 15 years ago it seems. Was blown away. Thanks for posting. I didn't know a live video of them existed.

[@wereleeroads9311]

I have it on vinyl. The warmth of that music and sound through a tube amp is phenomenal.

[@WaltHaulenbeek]

How good does it get!

[@mistabone3899]

Watched this on PBS with Dad. Got to laughing at the Bon Jovi tune for the opening song. I still followed by big hair ways with Bon Jovi, Great White, and Poison. But also followed NGR, the Flecktones, Sam Bush, John Cowan. Mark O'Conner, etc. Like the yin/yang of musical tastes. Then the Flecktones had a music video on MTV or VH1 for Sinister Minister. Yep, full circle. 24:30 for example....became a Flecktones song.

[@Dlrealife]

This is SO fantastic What a joy and a pleasure this is to watch

[@fluffhead1000]

If you like this music I highly recommend Bela Fleck's Tale's From The Acoustic Planet Vol.2; "The Bluegrass Sessions" CD (1999). It features Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Tony Rice & Mark Schatz w/Special Guests Vassar Clements, John Hartford, Earl Scruggs and more. It's very similar to this type of pickin' and the CD is like 79min. long, they couldn't have fit more music if they tried! There's a couple of "trilogy" pieces (three themes linked) that are wonderful. I nearly wore that disc out for the first year! They played at least one of the pieces here. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! ----Gary

[@uptowntoodeloo7273]

I remember watching this on PBS in the early '90s. It was my first exposure to Bela, and I started to follow his music from there. Though I like all of these guys, and I love this performance.

[@Trollificusv2]

I can respect that. At this level of musicianship, it's extra futile to try and sort out any "who's better?" arguments, because we're doing it with blown minds!

[@johnsarab4500]

Have the CD - love it They moved Bluegrass into modern phase. Hey, I'm a baby boomer Rock n Roll Mex/American!

[@johnhumphrey4680]

I love how focused Bela is, particularly on the first couple tunes. Dude just has his eyes and soul on the music.

[@JimmyDeLocke]

I saw them in Santa Fe at the Paolo Soleri Amphitheater. Being a banjo player, I guess I went to see Bela, but came back talking about EDGAR! He's astounding. An all virtuoso band.

[@harenm1]

New Grass for the ages! Thanks so much!

[@drharmonica]

I am very pleasantly surprised to hear Mark O'Connor playing guitar. I had never seen him do that before. His guitar chops are equal to his fiddle chops.

[@DjangoStock]

This is Strength in Numbers -The Telluride Sessions

[@jayi100]

I appreciate being able to watch this amazing, rare footage of some American master musicians jammin together in their early years. Thanks for sharing. A Sam Bush and Mark O'Connor reunion is overdue.

[@FedsBoy]

Jay Ingram I tried to like this one twice. Didn’t work.

[@rudyspring2528]

A 2nd album from Strength In Numbers is overdue.

[@gakoism]

真不敢相信，他們看起來多麼年輕。但是他們的天賦是無與倫比的。

[@TommyEfreeti]

Even with the audio quality issues, this is beautiful to hear. also, Bush on that mandolin

[@danieljulian4676]

This is the pinnacle of the country-inflected jazz these guys were into in the late 80s. On the Strength in Numbers CD, I think each member contributed two compositions. I loved this stuff back in the day -- it's compositionally complex, the performances are virtuosic at points, but I can't really listen to a whole hour of this any more. Give me the roots.

[@l.g.5850]

Dream Group 101~ ALL these guys!!!!!!!

[@jamesthompson6779]

5 great musicians on one stage...Oh where oh where did the real music go.

[@emuller111]

What a fantastic ensemble!!! Telluride Sessions is one of my favorite albums. Thanks for posting this awesome live show.

[@tonymillican6922]

This music takes me to another time and place. Many of the worlds problems were solved(or created) with this music as the soundtrack... ahhh, to be able to go back there

[@bfree1954]

If you like this, check out Skip, Hop and Wobble. Edgar, Jerry, Russ Barenberg with Sam on the side.

[@jaydoebud]

Might as well be 5 Hendrix's up there in my honest humble opinion. Glorious contributions they all have contributed to to my life/perspective. Live music keeps the artists soul under a microscope and I love it the most for that. Wish there was a better recording of this show but what a legendary gem. Peace and music .

[@harrylampton]

Dang it gets no better! KZbin is wonderful for all these great concerts at our fingertips!

[@goodwintrent2989]

Edger Myer - intonation, tone, feel and composition - he's got it all in spades. I love that duet with Bela - so sweet and inventive!...

[@MadameMacGuyver]

Beautifully expressed!

[@papa-vq7yv]

These boys have more talent in their fingernails than most of the "stars" today have in their whole body. Mark, Jerry, Bela and Sam are each the best at their instruments that I, for one, have ever heard. Love 'em!

[@michaelbavosa6787]

The last guitar lesson I gave..Was this piece from Skip,Hip and Wobble before I knew this existed ...thanks for post ...Nice to how our ideas worked or not ....at this point I realize I still love this whole process regardless of my limitations due to Huntingtlns which I've fought for 16 years ...I'm not giving up cau'se it easy ....besides, I'm back where it's warm and still friends in the Biz ...My strong point has always been words ...Did four TV performances ....Poetry and some stories for the director who I have the lesson to who would visit Pete Seeger before he passed ...We traded Woody stories

[@nicholassternon5857]

Keep fighting

[@chappinger12]

Good lord you're right. I won't be able to not see that now.

[@danielboyd8468]

I could listen t these guys for DAYS!

[@michaelvanwinkle7919]

These performers appear to be the best on their specific instruments. Together they make fantastic music. I really enjoyed them.

[@JamesZaworski]

Outstanding! I wish we could get a HD quality version of this up on KZbin

[@TheNerdyMusician]

( 5:23 ) The main reason i started playing mandolin i learned you can head bang in bluegrass.

[@richpayton7162]

Joe Craven will vouch for that.

[@helendreyer5156]

Nothin' short of fabulous! Thank you guys, thank you Josh and thank you Lonesome Pine.

[@ireneruthfox]

True masters right here. It does not get any better.

[@hillbillymanjackson]

Bluegrass sessions and drive. In my opinion, some of the best tunes and talent on the planet.

[@edhalfen7380]

Perfect timing, no drummer needed! And this is from a drummer. Very involving music and easy to groove with. Was familiar with Bela Fleck a little and just recently Jerry Douglas a la Alison Krause, but these are so great. A must listen!

[@AlBergstein]

+Ed Halfen Yes, it's quite amazing what Sam Bush can do with his chop.

[@juddjohnson5200]

'Five Mullets' would be a great band name for this group.

[@laserpants13]

Noam Pikelny is, by any measure, fantastic. But I'm loathe to say he can do some of the things Bela Fleck can. I've seen Bela Fleck play live 6 times with various groups (twice solo), and everytime I'm blown away by the sheer skill and ingenuity he has.

[@DanekZdenek]

Great!

[@ztahs]

Wow talk about an all-star team. Great stuff.

[@ColinTerapin]

Strength In Numbers (The Telluride Sessions Live) {static in audio stops for a while, then starts again, then stops. Mostly good audio} (i) Future Man 0:00 (ii) Texas Red 5:41 [Sam Bush speaks] 10:30 (iii) Pink Flamingos 11:19 (iv) Duke and Cookie 15:20 [The sexiest bass solo I've ever seen] 17:30 (v) One Winter's Night 19:10 {static really bad until 21:04} [Bela Fleck speaks] 23:23 (vi) The Locks of Dread 24:20 (vii) [Bela and Edgar get down] 30:34 (vii) No Apologies 38:22 (viii) Slopes 43:03 ... to be continued ...

[@TommyEfreeti]

Thank you for the breakdown!

[@eashton42]

Colin T McGrane Many thanks!

[@Lississandra]

omg thank you for tagging the sexy bass solo, this is very useful.

[@localseed4787]

... was reaching for knob to clear th static, and remembered this is yesterdays tomorrow

[@johnmichaelMTBC]

Colin T McGrane if we somehow ever cross paths, drinks on me for this one

[@stevenhearrell1564]

What a band!

[@Lississandra]

I think this is my favorite video on KZbin.

[@bobhuber8480]

Strength In Numbers

[@DJCowboyGels]

Billions in talent!!!

[@seanparker4746]

I saw these guys ~'88 w/ Tony Rice at the Birchmere - my favorite show of all time

[@Cool_kidRl21]

Have had a recording of that show since 2001...been on "heavy rotation" pretty much since then...oh, to have been there...the original birchmere...wow...

[@graignettlesjr.2508]

the 8 people that gave this a thumbs down. you know they are doing it wrong

[@ajpthree]

what an awesome sound, & an amazing band!!

[@BrandallMcRandall]

Incredible footage! All hail the masters

[@underralph]

Oh, it's just MARK O'CONNOR!!! :-)

[@MuMu-fu7qe]

This is a TREASURE.

[@abdavis4819]

Heard this album, cd, lp, whatever you'd call it these days, many many times over. I like that they vary the breaks from the breaks on the CD. Great listen. (Except for the horrible hiss/fuzz at 19 minutes). One can only aspire to be so virtuous.

[@castaneasounds]

Sweet how they medley the first two tunes 👌 - thanks for posting this

[@mic982]

Very, very nice...

[@noothernameisavail]

Good stuff! Especially liked the Bass solo. Not too often you get soulful solos like that.

[@wbunny7]

They fit together like finely tuned gears in the best Swiss watch. The timing and syncopation are as delicious to the ears as rare prime beef to the mouth.

[@MikeRodbell]

Wow. These guys do some amazing / beautiful stuff and make it look too darned easy. Great video!

[@rabismenow]

superb would be my word for it.

[@bereale100]

amazing

[@galenfrazer8541]

this is amazing.

[@underralph]

btw, thanks so much for posting the whole thing, what an amazing show that must have been.