I would first point out that Bela Fleck on his own is an ENTIRELY different thing than the Flecktones. I do not like the Flecktones. But I LOVE Bela Fleck. By himself, a classic. That said -
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Drive - this album is his masterpiece, despite what AllMusic says. Tony Rice, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Stewart Duncan, Mark Schatz, and Mark O'Connor along with Bela going batshit crazy on Bela originals, all in the newgrass vein.
Natural Bridge - similar to Drive, but without as much kickassery.
Daybreak - also, very very good progressive bluegrass style stuff.
The Newgrass Revival can be pretty good, but if you don't like John Cowan, you will not like them.
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Almost the entire Flecktones catalog. There are occasional points - here and there - that are worth searching, but just ask a reformed JamBandHead for a compilation or get the greatest hits.
Also - search out as much of his straight-ahead bluegrass playing as possible. He is simply the best banjo player out there, and he completely decimates bluegrass tunes with an ease that is scary. Hit me up if you want some. I have some classic live stuff by him.
― Big Loud Mountain Ape (Big Loud Mountain Ape), Friday, 16 September 2005 14:34 (twenty years ago)
Oh, and as for his classical album? Its relatively impressive, but most of those tunes weren't meant for banjo, so some don't really translate well. The two versions of Moto Perpetuo are pretty damn amazing, though.
― Big Loud Mountain Ape (Big Loud Mountain Ape), Friday, 16 September 2005 14:35 (twenty years ago)