Portsmouth, VA 8/13/2011 Talented Musicians at their best!

Portsmouth, Virginia- Bruce and the Wooten Brothers come home well at least a hop skip and jump over the James River and then they would be home, but WHAT AN INCREDIBLE SHOW! It was pretty much EXTREMELY TALENTED MUSICIANS AT THEIR BEST! No need for a fancy stage show, lights, fireworks, video screens, dancers, etc. just the musicians at the their very best offering up music like you have never heard before! It was like these guys were reenergized as they fed off each other and gave each other a chance to shine and we the fans were enjoying every minute of it!

Well the night began with heavy downpours that had a lot of people soaking wet and running towards the big tent at the InTelos Pavilion on the Elizabeth River, but luckily the storm moved through and the night calmed down and of course their was the smell of smoke because the Great Dismal Swamp is in the midst of its worst forest fires in its history and only 10% contained . . . anyway, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones came out on stage at 7:30 and the night began, they played until 9PM and put on amazing show, that was indeed music to the ears- all instrumental except for one where Futureman Wooten sang, but it was pretty neat to see the collaboration among these musicians- Bruce made two surprise appearances- one where he came out and played beside and over the shoulder of Flecktones’ Howard Levy on Piano- impressive to say the least and then Bruce played accordion along with Bela and the Flecktones on another song! This was my first show seeing the Flecktones, and these guys were really together and so glad to see them do the thing that they do and do it well! The Wooten Brothers- simply Beast at their crafts- Roy “Futureman” is a man of many talents and does his thing like no one else, Victor- The Beast on the BASS- he can play that thing here, there, everywhere, right side up, upside down, behind the back and is just incredible to see- he can make that thing do things that you would think are humanly impossible, Howard Levy- incredible on the keys and a harmonica player like no other, Their fiddle player forgot his name but can indeed jam that instrument . . . and then there’s Bela- familiar with his work, but a master at his craft and plays the banjo like I have never seen before! All in all a great show and really neat how they played songs together and then individually were singled out by each other to display their instrument and their unbelievable talent!!!

After a 25 minute intermission . . . Bruce and the Noisemakers take the stage and they are ready to fire things up and kick this show into high gear!!! You will see the song list below but they were in sync and played as if they had this renewed energy where these songs took on new meaning or at least a new feel- they were in your face, and sounded like they have never heard before- and I think Bela really inflected a new approach and overall approach to the show! Highlights include Little Sadie/WWL/Long Black Veil- the open and really set the pace for the night, Back to Your Woods- killer version, Prairie Dog Town and Shadow Hand with the dulcimer, Bela on Banjo and Sonny on the washboard, Crown of Jewels- amazing. loved the collaboration with Bela, End of the Innocence- really neat how it started out like it is usually played and then ended with a whole new feel, The Way It Is- Bluegrass style and on fire, and Mandolin Rain piano and banjo duel- no words to describe, you have to see to believe that rendition- and the finale Little Maggie- where every member of both groups got a moment to shine and as they played really wowed the audience on just how talented this group of musicians are and once again that they were there for the fans! What a night and all in a great show! Quick note- All the Noisemakers were a joy to see and hear them all do the great things that they and in particular Sonny Emory was on fire and has taken his craft to a whole new level- he helped put the exclamation point on the songs and Bruce well, he never ceases to amaze me- still thriving, driving and pushing his craft to levels that only hard work and dedication to his music and to the fans can take you! IF you missed, you missed it, but if Bruce & the Noisemakers and Bela Fleck and the Flecktones come to your city check it out- because this is what real music is all about!!!! No glory hogs here, just a great blend of incredible musicians who are so grateful to have the talents that they are so blessed to have and are gracious enough to share them with us in the here and now!!

Song List-

Little Sadie>White Wheeled Limousine>Long Black Veil>White Wheeled Limousine
Go Back to Your Woods
Prairie Dog Town>Snoop Dog
Shadow Hand (Bela on banjo/Sonny on washboard)
Truly Understand (“”)
Jacob’s Ladder>Cartoons & Candy>Jacob’s Ladder (Bruce on Accordion, Bela on Banjo, and violin player)
The Way It Is- Bluegrass Style (with Bela)
Candy Mountain Run
Mandolin Rain- Bruce/Bela piano-banjo duel
Little Maggie