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Béla Fleck — Shuba Yatra
Album: Outbound
Avg rating:
6.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1413









Released: 2000
Length: 4:34
Plays (last 30 days): 3
(instrumental)
Comments (86)add comment
This is OK, but early Flecktones with Howard Levy was the best. 
Isn't it a steelpan they are playin in this song?
Name any other band that successfully combines the elements and instrumentation from bluegrass, celtic, jazz, and Hindu traditions.  I dare you to try.  Bela Fleck and the Flecktones are unmatched.  
 jbuhl wrote:

this is challenging stuff, high level.  Just listen to the bass line Wooten is putting down


Heartily agree.  Each instrument "line" in the uptempo section is technical ... and executed well.  Good work!
Bela plays some trippy stuff.  

As well as classic hard, driving bluegrass.

Quite the musician.  

Bela Fleck is one of the most diverse and talented musicians on the planet! He plays everything from bluegrass roots to straight-ahead jazz and jazz-fusion ala Chick Corea to classical Bach, all played with virtuosity on a very unlikely instrument.

Was fortunate enough to see him perform with his band The Flecktones a couple of years ago. The concert rivaled the best jazz fusion concert I ever saw in 1974 - Chick Corea and Return To Forever when Al DiMeola had just joined the band.

The chance to hear musical variety like this is why RP is the only radio I listen to!
I'm not sure it knows what it wants to be when it grows up, and avoids the problem by refusing to grow up.


And that's very okay. 
8.
this is challenging stuff, high level.  Just listen to the bass line Wooten is putting down
 kcar wrote:
 sfuller wrote:
I enjoy Bela Fleck, but I can only take his music in small doses. It’s good to have one of these show up once in a while just to keep me on my toes musically


 


His stuff kinda...noodles around and is a bit easy-listening. As thewiseking posted two years ago, "STOP THE FUZAK!"
 
But my goodness no one has ever done it better.  Sublime noodling is still sublime.  
This is just flecking awesome!
Wow, 6.2? Really?  Bela Fleck is one of the best showmen and an out of this world musical talent. 10 
 sfuller wrote:
I enjoy Bela Fleck, but I can only take his music in small doses. It’s good to have one of these show up once in a while just to keep me on my toes musically


 


His stuff kinda...noodles around and is a bit easy-listening. As thewiseking posted two years ago, "STOP THE FUZAK!"
I enjoy Bela Fleck, but I can only take his music in small doses. It’s good to have one of these show up once in a while just to keep me on my toes musically
wonderful❣️but live is the very best...been lucky to have seen them up close and personal in all kinds of venues alone and jamming with others...heavenly
I love this track.  I first discovered Bela Fleck after seeing him on TV with a band after I had just returned from a long trip.  I was spaced out watching this weird band that had a few very odd things:  an electro banjo player playing jazz;  a drummer playing a thing that looked like a guitar with pads to play the "drums"; a keyboard player who could play two completely different tracks on separate keyboards simultaneously.  It was awesome.
Has a very Dave Matthews Band vibe
Ya must see Bela & the Flecktones live for true savoring!
 thewiseking wrote:
Bela Dreck
 

Oh yeah?  Well, that's like, just your opinion, man.
Bela Dreck
Love me some Fleck!! Very eclectic and original.
 
Oy, STOP THE FUZAK!
Great musicians who can be a challenge to listen to at times. Definitely in keeping with RPs eclectic soul.
Enjoyed a live performance and walked away feeling enlightened! {#Bananajam}
What an awesomely RP track. Reading the comments, and hearing the sounds... it's just odd and divisive enough to make me smile {#Roflol}

Keep taking me to these weird and fantastical places DJ, and I will keep coming back for more...
I think that this should be the theme song for a television show from the 1970s — maybe the Rockford Files.
 maolibluewinch wrote:
terrible! 
 
It's not even that good! Some say drugs inspire music, this inspires me to take drugs in the hope it becomes more bearable!
terrible! 
Cagney and Lacey on Vacation II.  Good movie. Not.  It's not often that music makes me swear, but this one does.
I find this soft and boring... although it does conjure images of unicorns, hobbits and leprechauns holding hands (hooves and hands?), dancing a jig on a beach in Jamaica.

Can anyone tell me what Bela Fleck is doing now - I mean with his music? Went to seem him a few weeks ago in The Netherlands, expecting wonderful, beautiful music. What we heard was an experiment. Several excellent musicians playing instruments that don't make sense together. Our group was really disappointed. Bored. repulsed, actually. Can anyone explain what the music is supposed to be about?
Was about to turn off RP and go listen to my Antje Duvekot CD's and heard enough of this track to turn RP right back on again.  This is my kind of weird.
Though kind of random, this song always makes me tap my feet and smile... {#Angel}


I have not heard from Fleck in forever. I used to listen to him all the time, some 15 years back.
And if you like this cut, you should check out one of their latest releases from 2005(?), called Little Worlds, a triple CD collaborative collection featuring among others: Bobby McFerrin, the Chieftans. Bela Fleck is not always at the top of my playlist, but when I want to hear something with curious energy, he's just the ticket.
I love that photograph.
Shades of Weather Report hiding in there.....
are those steel drums in there?
Kinda like putting Sting and Pat Methany in a blender and out pours this. Hey, putting Sting in a blender ain't such a bad idea.
ndfan75 wrote:
This would be very pleasing with a Mai Tai and a straw hat
Everything is more pleasing with a Mai Tai and straw hat. Especially if I can substitute the Mai Tai with a Patron Margarita.
ThePoose wrote:
Victor's fretless makes me fret less.
Naa, he learned it all from me...not.
For me the comments are only surpassed by the song, good clean fun with talent to burn! I like it!
As much as I appreciate Futureman I always miss real drums when I hear Bela Fleck.
Pyro wrote:
Vic Wooten blows me away on bass...
Victor's fretless makes me fret less.
Vic Wooten blows me away on bass...
happy happy, joy joy..... today is getting better and better! Am nearing chair-dancing mode....
Peppy.. For Mardi Gras?
nuggler wrote:
As if anyone here has the faintest clue...
Huh duh wha?
It's all very well executed and composed, but I can't help thinking "weather channel background music"
Snaz wrote:
they are phenomenal live.
Agree! I've seen them several times and it blows me away every time. Much better than the records suggest.
nuggler wrote:
What a cultural hotpot ! Even some Kwela & shades of Mannenburg mixed in ! Very nice...
As if anyone here has the faintest clue...
Kinda reminds me of 'Flim and the BBs' Interesting but don't think I could take a steady diet of this..
This would be very pleasing with a Mai Tai and a straw hat
pleseq wrote:
I can appreciate the obvious skill and musicianship, but this is way too feel-good for me. Sounds like it should accompany a film clip on Sesame Street of children going on a hayride.
Wow--and people think I go overboard when I make sarcastic comments like "This sucks--it isn't depressing." Don't get me wrong--this song does suck, but not because it isn't wallowing in some negative emotion.
I'd heard a good deal about this guy before, but never stumbled upon his actual music. Very interesting mix of styles - I want to hear more now.
enjoyable. i love this band. they are phenomenal live. don't write them off if you don't like this track, they are definitely worth a listen. on a side note, vic is arguably one of the best bass players around in my opinion.
Excelente, mis queridos amigos.
pleseq wrote:
I can appreciate the obvious skill and musicianship, but this is way too feel-good for me. Sounds like it should accompany a film clip on Sesame Street of children going on a hayride.
Always makes me think of that feel-good show my kids used to watch on the WB - 7th Heaven.
I can appreciate the obvious skill and musicianship, but this is way too feel-good for me. Sounds like it should accompany a film clip on Sesame Street of children going on a hayride.
Too World Music for me... I have visions of all the Old Hippies dancing like fir trees in the Wind Too much No thanks
"Shuba Yatra" means "Have a good journey" in Hindi.
Everthing except the kitchen sink thrown in here!!!!!
Absurdly silly little thing, but so cute you can't help but like it.
It's a fun little ditty that goes all over the map. I think part of why it works (for me) is that it appears towards the end of this album - so it may seem confusing out of that context.
Dang, I thought I heard a bass riff on this thing from a Paul Simon record. *shrug*
I can honestly say that of all the music played by RP this is one of the few I don't get.
What a cultural hotpot ! Even some Kwela & shades of Mannenburg mixed in ! Very nice...
Vic on the fretless!
I LOVE the Flecktones! Thanks, Bill, for sticking with them despite some negative comments .
Joyfulchristine wrote:
Well, I hate to agree with someone who talks out of his ass...but you've hit the nail on the head with this one. I enthusiastically love some of his things, and went automatically to give this a 9 (it's Bela, after all), but then the music caught up with my impulse, and I really can't give it more than a 5, for all of the reasons you so eloquently state, no matter whence they come.
Whenever that thistle and shamrock sound starts bleeding in it becomes a loss. BFs straight jazz compositions without the folk infusion are excellent.
beelzebubba wrote:
I respect Bela Fleck, and have heard some of his stuff that really turns me on. But I'm not a huge fan. I've always wanted to really like his music, since I love banjos and bluegrass and the works. But some much of his music just doesn't do it for me and I can't figure out why.....is it that 'busy' Dave Matthews jazzy sound? Or is it that often flighty 'Wynham Hill' sound. I hell, I dunno...I'm talking out of my ass.....
Well, I hate to agree with someone who talks out of his ass...but you've hit the nail on the head with this one. I enthusiastically love some of his things, and went automatically to give this a 9 (it's Bela, after all), but then the music caught up with my impulse, and I really can't give it more than a 5, for all of the reasons you so eloquently state, no matter whence they come.
You really have to see these guys live to appreciate them - check out the DVD from 2002 and prepare to be blown away by a great show! And really, who (besides Buill Bruford and a few others) is doing music this adventurous anymore?
Roach wrote:
I'm a fan of BF, but this sounds like he's channeling Chuck Mangione through Ireland...
Actually for being Bela Fleck it doesn't sound as bad and pretentious...I gave it a big 6
please make it stop.
webdiva wrote:
There are better Bela discs: the self-titled and "Tales From the Acoustic Palnt (vol 1) are the best!
Had just decided that I'd have to pick up a CD. Thanks for the tips.
AMG wrote:
For example, the Fleck original "Shuba Yatra" (its title, he explains in the press materials, "is an Indian term that means taking a journey with a safe return") features a tabla player and Fleck on a "sitar banjo," an electrified instrument with a banjo head and a sitar bridge.
Pleasant little ditty. Always like a little Bela in my day...
I'm a fan of BF, but this sounds like he's channeling Chuck Mangione through Ireland...
Wonderful composition and arrangement. Fleck is a virtuoso.
I respect Bela Fleck, and have heard some of his stuff that really turns me on. But I'm not a huge fan. I've always wanted to really like his music, since I love banjos and bluegrass and the works. But some much of his music just doesn't do it for me and I can't figure out why.....is it that 'busy' Dave Matthews jazzy sound? Or is it that often flighty 'Wynham Hill' sound. I hell, I dunno...I'm talking out of my ass.....
Is anyone else reminded of Mark Knopfler\'s music for \"Local Hero\"? Having just heard MK I can really hear it. Hmmm.
Originally Posted by triviagal: Going to see him tonight at Wolf Trap. Can't wait!
I was at that show too, Triviagal - just about a week before I fled the DC area for good! I caught Sonic Youth at the 930 Club the following night. one hell of a good weekd for music.
Going to see him tonight at Wolf Trap. Can\'t wait!
There are better Bela discs: the self-titled and \"Tales Fomr the Acoustic Palnt (vol 1) are the best!