Flecktones... Wooten... Christmas... Holy Cow!

RickC · #1 12-14-2008, 10:32 AM

yeah, this is gonna be one of those stupid gush threads. I can't help it. I caught the Flecktones in Northampton MA last night, doing an Xmas show, and it was utterly amazing.

The first time I saw Victor live, also with the Flecktones, was about three years ago. I'd heard plenty of recordings, owned the "Live at the Quick" video, and I was still surprised and floored by Victor's performance; it was even better than my already high expectations.

So last night, I figured I knew what to expect - wrong again! He's taken it to a whole nother level; way beyond that last high water mark. He's pushed the two hand tapping thing beyong anything I've ever seen; pushed it so far that it's spilled over into new techniques that there aren't even names for, and are almost impossible to describe in words. You really gotta see, and of course hear them. And also of course, these weren't just tricks. Victor is improvising, reharmonizing, pretty much being an entire jazz band all by himself. The musical inventiveness alone was staggering.

It was a Christmas show, and so every number had that theme and was a take-off or a variation on well known holiday tunes and melodies. The Tuvan throat singers were there and contributed to good effect. There was fun stuff, like "The Twelve Days of Christmas" done with each "day" in a different key and time signature. And of course, Victor's solo, which was like the star on the tree, or maybe the biggest and best present under it.

/rick

ps I believe it's impossibile to really understand and appreciate Wooten without seeing him in the flesh. The recordings and videos are great, but none of that comes close to capturing what he's really all about.

easyvision · #2 12-14-2008, 10:36 AM

They need to come back to Scotland. I missed them when they came almost 2 years ago

Glad you enjoyed yourself though!

Ripper · #3 12-14-2008, 10:39 AM

saw them this past week at UB... it was amazing! the 12 days thing was sweet, and the part at the end with them each splitting notes in the melody... and the mandolin/clarinet player that they had was sweet too... i didn't know a mandolin could sound like that.

but victors solo was incredible! there really are no words that can describe it other than bassilicious

RickC · #4 12-14-2008, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ripper

but victors solo was incredible! there really are no words that can describe it other than bassilicious

Indeed. I'm long past the age where I'm impressed by or enjoy watching gratuitous displays of technique and chops. The words "bass solo" generally make me cringe. But Victor is just something else. You appreciate that what he does is hard and takes unique skill, but that's not "it"; that's not why it moves you. He's pushed beyond that, into a more rareified sphere. Hard to describe, words kinda fail...

Bela is great; a monumental innovator and player. He's just been nominated for Grammies in more categories than anyone in history; whatever you think about the Grammies, that says something. Future Man is unique and cool. Jeff is a monster player. Together, the band makes strange, wonderful, challenging, and totally captivating music.

But even in this stellar company, Victor stands out. What he does grabs everyone. He gets the biggest response, by far. Musician, maven, casual fan, whoever - they all get him. After his solo, you could feel it in the room. I didn't care if they rest of the band came back or not; I would've just as soon spent the next two hours watching Victor some more. People around me were muttering similar things.

/rick

greenboy · #5 12-14-2008, 11:58 AM

Ah, I caught 'em in Spokane WA in mid-November and they did some of the XMas CD material along with a lot of other incredible music - some backed by the Spokane Symphony Orchestra. I posted about how cool it was in several threads.

Flecktones is my favorite Wooten platform, and Bela has surrounded himself with people who are all equal in talent and doesn't fear sharing the stage. Actually the group improv floors me as much as any of the writing or soloing!

Johnny Mack · #6 12-15-2008, 02:42 PM

i really dig the christmas album, amazing diversity and musicianship.

Gordon of Eden · #7 12-15-2008, 02:55 PM

In 1992 I had all but stopped playing music completely. My friend took me to see the Flecktones at a medium sized jazz club (UFO TOFU tour).
I had the want-ads out later that night looking for a band to play with.
Say what you will about the Flecktones, I think they are amazing!

Baryonyx · #8 12-15-2008, 02:57 PM

It just so happens that Victor is the man! Easily one of the best guys playing today. I love him!

dave64o · #9 12-15-2008, 03:02 PM

I'm going to see the Flecktones tomorrow night. I haven't seen them in about 4 years, so I'm really looking forward to this show - especially after reading all these posts.

LCMBassist · #10 12-15-2008, 03:08 PM

For sheer technique, he is the greatest bassist I've ever seen. Ever.

RickC · #11 12-15-2008, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave64o

I'm going to see the Flecktones tomorrow night. I haven't seen them in about 4 years, so I'm really looking forward to this show - especially after reading all these posts.

you are a lucky man

JimK · #12 12-15-2008, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave64o

I'm going to see the Flecktones tomorrow night. I haven't seen them in about 4 years, so I'm really looking forward to this show - especially after reading all these posts.

Nice.
I haven't seen them in over 10 years...I did see them many, many times during the '90s.
In the early '90s, Vic sounded like 2 bass players...the last time I saw him, he sounded like 3 bass players. Nice to know he's still improving.

Ripper · #13 12-15-2008, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LCMBassist

For sheer technique, he is the greatest bassist I've ever seen. Ever.

yes... that is true... but he also has something that few very technical bassists have... GROOVE.

i have never really heard any good grooves that include harmonics in them until i saw victor

Chebass88 · #14 12-15-2008, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave64o

I'm going to see the Flecktones tomorrow night. I haven't seen them in about 4 years, so I'm really looking forward to this show - especially after reading all these posts.

ME TOO!! I just got my tickets today!!

Ian

cmewhinney · #15 12-15-2008, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LCMBassist

For sheer technique, he is the greatest bassist I've ever seen. Ever.

I love Victor and I think he's great, but he's gotta be number 2 in my book. Go see Michael Manring play a solo show and you'll understand.

cmewhinney · #16 12-15-2008, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ripper

yes... that is true... but he also has something that few very technical bassists have... GROOVE.

Totally agree! I think he probably grooves harder than Michael.

greenboy · #17 12-17-2008, 05:13 PM

Gadzooks, just got my copy of JINGLE ALL THE WAY. Some of the stuff is even more outrageous than what I heard live! Some tunes Victor's got some beautiful fast jazz walks goin' on, and one solo at least sounds an awful lot like a giant classical guitar played by a Segovia with flamenco on his mind! Then there's the Twelve Days of Christmas turn-on-a-dime tempo changes. Tight! WHAT A BAND!!!

warwick.hoy · #18 12-17-2008, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenboy

Ah, I caught 'em in Spokane WA in mid-November and they did some of the XMas CD material along with a lot of other incredible music - some backed by the Spokane Symphony Orchestra. I posted about how cool it was in several threads.

Flecktones is my favorite Wooten platform, and Bela has surrounded himself with people who are all equal in talent and doesn't fear sharing the stage. Actually the group improv floors me as much as any of the writing or soloing!

I was also at this show!!! A treat for Spookaloo for sure. One of my friends who I introduced BF&TF to got an impromptu invite (by someone else); She was stoked. It was also fun to let some of the people who were obviously there for the Symphony in on what BF&TF were all about. "I'm not really into jazz" remarked our neighbor. "What is that thing the percussionist is playing?"

I heard some gripes about the Xmas music selection. BooHoo get over it.

Afterwards we stood in line for the meet and great; got some autographs and Jeff Coffin let my wife grope his goatee.

Baryonyx · #19 12-18-2008, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmewhinney

I love Victor and I think he's great, but he's gotta be number 2 in my book. Go see Michael Manring play a solo show and you'll understand.

They are both amazing bassists and I really enjoy listening to the both of them. However, I'd rather listen to Victor's music if I had to choose because he just has a great talent at writing beautiful melodies. Mind you, they are both amazing.

JazzbassArt · #20 12-18-2008, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordon of Eden

In 1992 I had all but stopped playing music completely. My friend took me to see the Flecktones at a medium sized jazz club (UFO TOFU tour).
I had the want-ads out later that night looking for a band to play with.
Say what you will about the Flecktones, I think they are amazing!

Me too. I basically stopped playing from 1978 to 2004. I caught "Live At The Quick", and the next week bought a new American Deluxe Jazz. They ignited my sleeping passion. That band is really different. I also play 5 string, so its a double win for me.