Search - Bela Fleck :: Crossing the Tracks

Bela Begins

PHILIP S WOLF | SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA. USA | 09/02/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Back in the Mid 1980's, During an interview, Jerry Garcia was asked, Who was his Favorite Banjo Player. His Answer: "Bela Fleck".



I used to Buy lot's of Acoustic Music during my "Fed up with Rock" period in The 80's. Lot's of the best stuff was on the Rounder Records Label. I got this Gem on Cassette, Whilst I was living in Northern Scotland in 1986. Banjo's were Popular in the Highlands, and lot's of Pub Touring Band's had a banjo featured. The Smiling 20 year old picker was Bela Fleck, Yeah, Jerry really likes this guy!



I first played this during a long Car trip to Glasgow on an weekend Journey. This Cassette stayed in the Car's Player all through that long trip. It was Wonderful to drive to this Fantastic Music. Spellbinding Stuff, to put it Mildly. From the Breakneck Runs of "Dear Old Dixie" through to: "Ain't Gonna Work Tommorrow" that sounds right outta the 1933 Hobo Songbook, I was taken aback by all the Musical Styles Presented here on: "Crossing The Tracks".



Mr. Fleck does not Hog the Spotlight on this Great Recording. Solos by Sam Bush {Fiddle], Jerry Douglas {Dorbo} and Bob Applebaum {Mandolin} share the stage right along side the Great Banjo of Bela. Five of the Eleven tracks are originals by Bela and the show Good Depth & Imagination for the then 20 Year old Musical Prodigy and they Span from true Bluegrass to Jazzgrass and beyond. The inspired arrangement of Chick Corea's: "Brazil" gives you a little glimse into Something that would evolve many years later into The Flecktones.



I still have that old Cassette Tape, But this CD brings back a Flood of Memories to another place, a long time ago. A place where Bela Fleck was King o' The Clan's, from every Loch & Ben in Northern Scotland,this Great Music was Blasting outta me Car's Speakers. We scared lot's of Sheep, Bela & Me!"