The Telluride Sessions

The Telluride Sessions

ASIN: B000006EJK

Track Listings

1. Future Man

2. Texas Red

3. Pink Flamingo

4. Duke and Cookie

5. One Winter's Night

6. Macedonia

7. Lochs of Dread

8. No Apologies

9. Slopes

10. Blue Men of the Sahara

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
This acoustic supergroup joined forces in the summer of 1988, and the result was a true landmark in "new acoustic" music. As if bluegrass (and even "newgrass") was too constricting, the quintet--Sam Bush (mandolin), Jerry Douglas (dobro), Bela Fleck (banjo), Mark O'Connor (violin), and Edgar Meyer (bass)--incorporates classical-style themes and arrangements within the context of bluegrass instrumentation. Their unbelievable technique and musical ability was never in question; however, what makes the album special is the uncanny blend of precision and freedom, of improvisation and structure. Each of the 10 compositions were written by a different twosome (do the math permutations). Playful bluesy lopes ("Pink Flamingo") accompany tinges of reggae ("The Locks of Dread"), Celtic ("Macedonia"), and Middle Eastern ("Blue Men of the Sahara") music. There are urgent burners, somber mood pieces, and tender ballads, all delivered with grace. --Marc Greilsamer

Tracks:

Future Man
Texas Red
Pink Flamingos
Duke And Cookie
One Winter's Night
Macedonia
The Lochs Of Dread
No Apologies
Slopes
Blue Men Of The Sahara

Amazon.com essential recording

This acoustic supergroup joined forces in the summer of 1988, and the result was a true landmark in "new acoustic" music. As if bluegrass (and even "newgrass") was too constricting, the quintet--Sam Bush (mandolin), Jerry Douglas (dobro), Bela Fleck (banjo), Mark O'Connor (violin), and Edgar Meyer (bass)--incorporates classical-style themes and arrangements within the context of bluegrass instrumentation. Their unbelievable technique and musical ability was never in question; however, what makes the album special is the uncanny blend of precision and freedom, of improvisation and structure. Each of the 10 compositions were written by a different twosome (do the math permutations). Playful bluesy lopes ("Pink Flamingo") accompany tinges of reggae ("The Locks of Dread"), Celtic ("Macedonia"), and Middle Eastern ("Blue Men of the Sahara") music. There are urgent burners, somber mood pieces, and tender ballads, all delivered with grace. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews:

One of the best crossover albums of all time.......2007-03-08

The incredible chemistry of this ensemble of string wizards mixes bluegrass sounds with every other genre in a way not yet duplicated. Unreal. You must have this CD.

The Telluride Sessions (Strength In Numbers).......2007-01-12

I first heard the group "Strength In Numbers" years ago on a show called Lone Pine Special. The entire band was phenomenal. It took bluegrass in a whole new and exciting direction. Each player is amazing in his own right as well as mixing beautifully with the other players. Most of this music is what I consider a bluegrass jazz fusion. This is a wonderful CD to include in an otherwise standard collection of traditional bluegrass. The virtuosity of each of these musicians is mindboggling. Some of the cuts make you want to jump up and dance while others cause you to pause, intently listen, and examine the musical techniques presented. Being a banjo and guitar player myself, it was a real joy to listen to such prolific musicianship. I found myself challenged and awed by this CD. I highly recommend this CD.

Bluegrass a little less blue.......2006-12-13

Bluegrass remains in many ways a music that holds its devotees close but perhaps offers less to the uninitiated or to those for whom the insistance on rigorous adherence to some predefined bluegrass standard seems a bit self-involved. Often times reverence towards tradition and outright musical athleticism get in the way of what is at the core a very strong musical message. This CD is one that easily reaches across boundaries and, with bluegrass sensibilities intact but not binding, presents contemporary acoustic country at its best. The musicians present are all masters of their instruments and all have worked together and known each other for years. The music they produce seems almost effortless but at the same time conveys no sense of sloppiness or lack of professionalism. There is a clear musical statement here coupled with a strong feeling so that the musicianship serves an end rather than just becoming an end in itself. Standouts include One Winter's Night, Blue Men of the Sahara, and the wonderful mandolin duet on Macedonia featuring Sam Bush and reminding us that Mark O'Connor can play anything. For the bluegrass traditionalist, the music may seem heresy. For the rest of us, this is a wonderful recording suitable for repeated listening. Definitely not for bluegrass fans only.

As fresh as ever.......2006-09-07

I just bought it; 17 years after its release. Not that that should matter as I have purchased jazz recordings from the fifties. This CD is my first introduction to bluegrass or newgrass or whatever grass. I agree with some of the reviewers that this music is beyond classification. I don't think it gets any better than this. I love the melodies, the harmonies, musicianship and the quality of the recording. I listen to it at home and in the car. There are some world influences in couple of numbers. By the way, "Macedonia" has a Balkan tint to it, not celtic. Inspired by this CD I started tracking the recording of individual artists involved as the group represented a "summit" of sorts. Next thing I will be moving to the Appalachian Mountains.

Acoustic fire!.......2005-12-25

It all started when my friend Ashley used "Macedonia" (track six) to demonstrate the quality of his JBL iPod speaker ring. Never having listened to bluegrass before, I asked what kind of music it was and he said it is beyond classification. So I listened to "Slopes" and got the kind of euphoric rush you get when you're having a sports-related high or the ecstatic sensation of moving at great speed.
No matter what you think of bluegrass or banjos, anyone who takes delight in music that is intricate, brilliant, sensuous and evocative, will find much to love about this album. Jazz fans will appreciate the Pat Metheny undertones and harmonies in tracks like "One Winter's Night." I would be first in line for any new project by this line-up of virtuoso musicians. What a joy to listen to flawless musical jamming!

Average customer rating:

THE seminal newgrass fusion album.
The Best of the Best

The Telluride Sessions
Strength in Numbers
Manufacturer: Mca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Country | Styles | Music

General | Traditional Country | Country | Styles | Music

General | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music

Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music

Traditional | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Traditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music

The Telluride Sessions
Skip, Hop & Wobble
Drive
Music for Two (Bonus DVD)
Heroes

ASIN: B000002O60
Release Date: 1989-05-11

Tracks:

Future Man
Texas Red
Pink Flamingo
Duke and Cookie
One Winter's Night
Macedonia
Lochs of Dread
No Apologies
Slopes
Blue Men of the Sahara

Customer Reviews:

THE seminal newgrass fusion album........2003-01-15

A few years back, two of the musicians on this album (Edgar Meyer and Sam Bush, along with Mike Marshall) were involved in a similar project, "Short Trip Home" (STH), for which Joshua Bell, the classical violinist, had been invited along for the ride. It had been a short-term "classical crossover" chartbuster, and more than likely drew the attention of listeners unfamiliar with this music genre to this group, and this album. It is not a stretch to say that this one is the better album of the two, with room to spare: A collaboration of Edgar Meyer, Mark O'Connor (the fiddler that Joshua Bell really couldn't be), Bela Fleck, Sam Bush and Jerry Douglas never has an "odd man out," as is the case for STH. Here, on "Telluride Sessions," everyone is in his element.

Those wishing a direct comparison between the two albums should start at the end of this one, with "Blue Men of the Sahara." After a somewhat "reserved" start, this track winds up with a fury that is every bit the equal of "Death by Triple Fiddle" on the STH album (where Bell, try as he might, just doesn't fit in with the group, in a way that might charitably called painful). Continuing in reverse order for a bit, "Slopes" gives Fleck, on banjo, and O'Connor, here on guitar, the opportunity to swap hot choruses; in my humble opinion, the best track on the album, thanks to Fleck's finger-bending (and mind-bending) work.

The triple-threat (fiddle, guitar, mandolin) talents of O'Connor are found throughout the album. As one who came rather late to the appreciation of this man's monster talents, it is a pleasant surprise to me to hear that he was in as fine and as fully-developed a form in 1988 as he is today.

Of the five, Meyer seems always to be the catalyst (as can be seen from all the subsequent albums he's been the focal point of throughout the years, mixing and matching the talents of all the individuals). With his inestimable contributions to this and later albums, it is difficult - but necessary - to keep in mind that he leads a second, and equally public, life as a classical contrabassist and composer!

This is a seminal album, setting down a genre more than a dozen years ago that is as hot and as fresh today as when it was first released. May it never go out of print. And, with the benefit of 60 collective years of subsequent work by these five, may they soon go back into the studio for a long-awaited sequel.

Bob Zeidler

The Best of the Best.......2000-06-15

I think anyone who enjoys pristine acoustic music with bluegrass, newgrass, and classical influences will keep this album high on their list of keepsakes. The artists featured here are some of the best, men considered virtuosos at their craft. This album is a must have for fans of Bela, Sam, Jerry, Mark, and the unbelievable Edgar Meyer.

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