Highlights of the McConnell Library Appalachian Music Collection- Bela Fleck- Drive

Bela Fleck is a darned good banjo player and seems to be a darned nice guy too (I have not spent much of any time with him to actually know that, but the little bit that I have spent with him I sure did get that impression.) When I think of albums that Bela has put out, the first one that springs to mind is Drive.  Because of that, I think I will recommend that you, dear readers, give it a listen!

drive

In 1988 while Bela Fleck was still in New Grass Revival and just before the Flecktones, he recorded “Drive”.  I think that album quickly became a favorite for many people (me included) but I don’t know if that is because of the material or the band lineup and I guess it really doesn’t matter because both are top notch!

The band is made up of Bela Fleck- banjo, Sam Bush– mandolin, Stuart Duncan- fiddle, Tony Rice- guitar, Mark Schatz- bass, Mark O’Connor– fiddle and Jerry Douglas– dobro and I don’t think anyone will deny that that sounds like an all-star lineup.  The band plays very well together and the music is complex and well written.

My favorites on the album are Sanctuary, Whitewater and Natchez Trace.  I do have a bumper sticker on my banjo case that says SEE ROCK CITY and I admit that although I actually bought it AT Rock City, I bought it beause of the song on this CD.

It really is a good CD.  Give it a listen!

Location Call No. Status
Recordings-CDs – Level 4 M1630.18.F543 D75 1998 AVAILABLE
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