music

We went to see Bela Fleck and the Flecktones last night at the free concert. We didn't have seats on the lawn, those were all taken before the dawn of time, but we got good seats in front of the screen between the second set of speakers. We got there early so we were able to sit and enjoy the sound check, which was a long and great accompaniment to a beautiful afternoon.

The concert was mostly in the "alternating solos throughout the whole song" style. Although the Flecktones are all technically proficient and in some cases incredible musicians, this isn't my favorite format. I have never been a fan of "stop the world while I show off how fast my fingers go". I absolutely loved when these guys started to really play together. They were on, right on, every note. Even the duelling instruments bits were a relief from the solos, though not as wonderful as hearing them play together.

Bela doesn't have the stage manner of the big ego, in fact he's just he opposite, he projects a humble, pleasant, average Joe stage image. It's neat. The other members of the band tend to show off more and do more overtly "look how clever I am" things.

Gotta run, I've got 12 hours of live music to go to.