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Béla Fleck — The Sinister Minister
Album: Béla Fleck & The Flecktones
Avg rating:
7.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 951









Released: 1990
Length: 4:32
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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(Instrumental)
Comments (97)add comment
My inner producer finds the syncopated drum sound on the off beats too intrusive.
Posted 1 month ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
Every time I hear this, I immediately get happy, don't matter none if I was down low, within two bars (music bars!) I'm looking for the ice cream.

Thanks RP! 
Posted 1 year ago by cantdowoU    [ Reply ]
Every time I hear the start of this song, I think of tRobin Williams'  'Batty Rap" from the animation Fern Gully.  Anyone else?
Posted 9 years ago by guthrieandme    [ Reply ]
 q4Fry wrote:
Fun, but it's a bit long.

 
TWSS
Posted 10 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
love it
Posted 10 years ago by PopKombo    [ Reply ]
Fun, but it's a bit long.
Posted 10 years ago by q4Fry    [ Reply ]
 zenhead wrote:
brilliant. such a great collection of gifted musicians.

 

 

 
 
And to see them perform live.....OMFG   
Posted 10 years ago by Alexandra    [ Reply ]
brilliant. such a great collection of gifted musicians.
Posted 10 years ago by zenhead    [ Reply ]
 hecubus wrote:
this is the wrong cover art.

 
Yep... This is the album that it comes from:  https://www.amazon.com/Bela-Fleck-Flecktones-The/dp/B000002LKJ ... Hopefully someone can correct?
Posted 11 years ago by AndrewKoransky    [ Reply ]
Stellar stuff. Love Bela.
Posted 11 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
This is what happens when you try and make a nerdy instrument cool.
Posted 11 years ago by ick    [ Reply ]
epic!
Posted 11 years ago by MikeszCZ    [ Reply ]
I'm glad you all think this song is great, because if you'd all hate it as much as i do, there'd be some serious agony going on here in this community...


By which i'm saying i'm gladly giving this a 1  
 
Posted 11 years ago by Sjaaks    [ Reply ]
this is the wrong cover art.
Posted 11 years ago by hecubus    [ Reply ]
I am digging this!
Posted 12 years ago by Baketown    [ Reply ]
 omersegev wrote:
Victor you are awesome!

 
 
He is like three people playing at one time when he steps out.
Posted 12 years ago by capandjudy    [ Reply ]
Levy was astounding in St. Louis - what a solo!! So glad he is back!! What a phenomenal group...each virtuosos in their own right.
Posted 12 years ago by rushed    [ Reply ]
Howard Levy is with the current incarnation of the Flecktones. Caught their show earlier this month, and having never seen him before, was blown to pieces by his harp abilities. I think he might have three tongues!

It's hard to blame Jeff Coffin for joining DMB when opportunity came knocking, and to be fair, Bela & the Flecktones don't seem to be missing a beat w/o him having such a powerhouse taking his place.

tjr wrote:
good to hear howard levy on the harmonica...i thought the the flecktones lost an awful lot when he left. the later incarnations of the band have been fine, but i prefer the original line up.
 


Posted 12 years ago by tirednotion    [ Reply ]
I was at a flecktone concert many years back and when Bela introduced the band he refereed to victor as "our secret weapon...".  Some of the best bass solo's I've ever seen have been from Victor Wooten.  
Posted 12 years ago by dpvest    [ Reply ]
Béla's stuff starts out great but gets too noodley for my tastes.

Talented?   My kinda thing. 
Posted 12 years ago by MojoJojo    [ Reply ]
Saw them do this about 20 years ago.  Pretty astounding stuff.
Posted 12 years ago by emh    [ Reply ]
I saw/heard these guys in Omaha some years back and was completely enthralled!  I had some sort of spiritual awakening that night.
Posted 13 years ago by helenofjoy    [ Reply ]
Victor you are awesome!

 
Posted 13 years ago by omersegev    [ Reply ]
 missquo wrote:
 And if you've never seen a Victor Wooten bass solo, go watch this right now.
 

{#Yes}   I just stand there, agape....he is a musical god.
Posted 13 years ago by Alexandra    [ Reply ]
If you like this, you should watch this awesome video from 1990 that was just uploaded to YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RhVz6jjMDo 

Béla's mullet doesn't upstage Victor's bass solo, but it sure tries.  And if you've never seen a Victor Wooten bass solo, go watch this right now.
Posted 13 years ago by missquo    [ Reply ]
 furaha wrote:
Sounds like a cartoon soundtrack
 
You say that like it's a bad thing.


Posted 13 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 cc_rider wrote:
Bill's commentary on the latest church scandal...
 
{#Lol}

Posted 14 years ago by Huey    [ Reply ]
Victor Wooten is indeed awesome, but check out his older brother, Reggie.  His guitar playing is indescribable.
Posted 14 years ago by BKardon    [ Reply ]
 tjr wrote:
good to hear howard levy on the harmonica...i thought the the flecktones lost an awful lot when he left. the later incarnations of the band have been fine, but i prefer the original line up.
 
Totally agree.  I miss the pre-world music Flecktones.

Posted 14 years ago by BKardon    [ Reply ]
Bill's commentary on the latest church scandal...
Posted 14 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
How come it only says "the sinister mi" as a title (now playing)?

Béla Fleck & The Flecktones - The Sinister Mi
...nister!

Posted 14 years ago by lunar1963    [ Reply ]
I knew Bill was a bass player.... I could just feel it! 
Posted 15 years ago by mrdak    [ Reply ]
 tjr wrote:
good to hear howard levy on the harmonica...i thought the the flecktones lost an awful lot when he left. the later incarnations of the band have been fine, but i prefer the original line up.
 

Seconded.  Caught them live in New Haven CT back in the early '90s, around the time their first album was released & Levy was with them - what an excellent show!
Posted 15 years ago by doctec    [ Reply ]
 shayde wrote:

That, my friend, is Victor Wooten.  ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Wooten )

IMHO, one of the best bass players ever.

And a helluva nice guy too.

 
Seeing Victor Wooten live is really more than a mind can take in. I remember seeing Bela Fleck and the Flecktones live in the 1990s about three times and each time I just wanted to go home and toss my bass out the window.


Posted 15 years ago by capandjudy    [ Reply ]
Victor Wooten is the man! {#Boohoo}

Wouldn't expect everyone to 'get it' {#Beat} ; a complex arrangement ... Bela is cool and true pioneer
Posted 15 years ago by stratzippy    [ Reply ]
 furaha wrote:
Sounds like a cartoon soundtrack
 
Sortr of a snappy tune for a dreary Monday when I don't want to be here but ............... you're right ............ since you mentioned a cartoon soundtrack (thanks a lot!) I now have pictures of Ren and Stimpy running around with drool ...  waa...

{#Doh}

Posted 15 years ago by lwilkinson    [ Reply ]
 Dude wrote:
Holy Smokes! That is some amazing bass. Cool tune.
 
That, my friend, is Victor Wooten.  ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Wooten )

IMHO, one of the best bass players ever.

And a helluva nice guy too.

Posted 15 years ago by shayde    [ Reply ]
 furaha wrote:
Sounds like a cartoon soundtrack
  Annoying melody AND instrumentation. 


Posted 15 years ago by sfListener    [ Reply ]
jjbix wrote:
what an annoying song . . .
Sounds like a cartoon soundtrack
Posted 16 years ago by furaha    [ Reply ]
what an annoying song . . .
Posted 16 years ago by jjbix    [ Reply ]
love the bela the opening bass line always makes me think it's Nirvana at first
Posted 16 years ago by lophrequa    [ Reply ]
cptbuz wrote:
woot woot wooten is a bass god!
truth.
Posted 16 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
good to hear howard levy on the harmonica...i thought the the flecktones lost an awful lot when he left. the later incarnations of the band have been fine, but i prefer the original line up.
Posted 17 years ago by tjr    [ Reply ]
My winamp displays this as "Bla Fleck"
Posted 17 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
cc_rider wrote:
The title alone rates it a 6. The spectacular musicianship pushes it to a 9. c.
Yes Yes
Posted 17 years ago by wally42    [ Reply ]
Radio_Man wrote:
The real album cover.
Not this version, it's on the 3-CD (!) disk release too.
Posted 17 years ago by quesarah    [ Reply ]
The title alone rates it a 6. The spectacular musicianship pushes it to a 9. c.
Posted 17 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
The real album cover.
Posted 17 years ago by Radio_Man    [ Reply ]
DoctorHooey wrote:
I'm surprised people have a problem with a banjo and have no problem with the gawd-awful synth drum sounds. I know Futureman is supposed to be cool and all but those canned drum sounds are HORRIBLE. That snare sounds like someone punching a cookie sheet. But damn, Wooten is insane.
Exactly. They need to either get a proper drummer or talk F-Man into playing a real drum kit. When he solos he plays real drums (hand drums, but still...), and he's amazing. The Drumitar is, in my opinion, a gimmick that was cool for a short time, but should be retired. I don't have an issue with the sounds themselves, as it's likely just sampled 'real' drums, but the end result just lacks the feel of a real drummer, especially a jazz drummer. As to your second point; as a fellow bassist, I am consistently humbled by the other Wooten.
Posted 17 years ago by alanthecowboy    [ Reply ]
Prodigeous! Superb! 10!
Posted 17 years ago by nigelr    [ Reply ]
Holy Smokes! That is some amazing bass. Cool tune.
Posted 17 years ago by Dude    [ Reply ]
I'm surprised people have a problem with a banjo and have no problem with the gawd-awful synth drum sounds. I know Futureman is supposed to be cool and all but those canned drum sounds are HORRIBLE. That snare sounds like someone punching a cookie sheet. But damn, Wooten is insane.
Posted 17 years ago by DoctorHooey    [ Reply ]
jenakle wrote:
ok this may be tolerable at like, 3pm but at 7am? no sir please, warm us up to the morning this clashes with my coffee so dmned bad I kinda like them otherwise just not for breakfast
Posted 17 years ago by themotion    [ Reply ]
prickelpit96 wrote:
...half past 1 p.m. on a hot & sunny day...
well, see, THAt would do nicely! ok Bill, how about a time delay? lol
Posted 17 years ago by jenakle    [ Reply ]
jenakle wrote:
ok this may be tolerable at like, 3pm but at 7am? no sir please, warm us up to the morning this clashes with my coffee so freakin bad I kinda like them otherwise just not for breakfast
...half past 1 p.m. on a hot & sunny day...
Posted 17 years ago by prickelpit96    [ Reply ]
I thought I recognize this amazing bass playing ;)
Posted 17 years ago by nu-GFX    [ Reply ]
ok this may be tolerable at like, 3pm but at 7am? no sir please, warm us up to the morning this clashes with my coffee so dmned bad I kinda like them otherwise just not for breakfast
Posted 17 years ago by jenakle    [ Reply ]
woot woot wooten is a bass god!
Posted 17 years ago by cptbuz    [ Reply ]
Like John Mayer, you only get a sense of how amazing Bela Fleck is when you see him in person. This is definitely one of my favorites from them.
Posted 17 years ago by jeseekah    [ Reply ]
BGGA wrote:
Am I the only one the hears a sample of MC Hammer/Can't Touch This in the opening of this tune?
Apparently so- I thought it was Falco's Der Kommisar.
Posted 17 years ago by fretman    [ Reply ]
Unique and Outstanding stuff !
Posted 17 years ago by daedalus    [ Reply ]
Nebules wrote:
Am I the only one that wishes Bela Fleck played something other than the banjo? He's a fantastic musician, but it's a banjo for Heaven's sake. I'm sure someone will give the argument "oh, but look what he can do with it!!!!" but that doesn't change the fact that he's playing a banjo.
I saw him in concert where he traded instruments with Victor. Feel better?
Posted 17 years ago by Banaszak    [ Reply ]
Go Vic go!
Posted 17 years ago by MrStatenIsle    [ Reply ]
shayde wrote:
Vic Wooten is god. I credit him for really getting my ass kicked in gear to learn the bass. I shook hands with him once after a performance - he's a small guy, small hands and everything. But what a talent.
I hear he has been giving lessons to God, son, and holy ghost.
Posted 17 years ago by leathepea    [ Reply ]
Vic Wooten is god. I credit him for really getting my ass kicked in gear to learn the bass. I shook hands with him once after a performance - he's a small guy, small hands and everything. But what a talent.
Posted 18 years ago by shayde    [ Reply ]
My god, Victor Wooten is just brilliant...
Posted 18 years ago by bobringer    [ Reply ]
first time i've heard bela fleck on here...sweet.
Posted 18 years ago by jubilantme    [ Reply ]
Wooten da man. There is a Dutch translation of this, but I forget what it is...
Posted 18 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
this song is the unofficial RP theme. :-)
Posted 18 years ago by TobiMc3    [ Reply ]
BKardon wrote:
The wrong album is showing on this one. It's from their self-titled album but the album cover showing is Little Worlds.
Still the wrong album cover as of 8/29/06.
Posted 18 years ago by Radio_Man    [ Reply ]
Am I the only one the hears a sample of MC Hammer/Can't Touch This in the opening of this tune?
Posted 18 years ago by BGGA    [ Reply ]
Banjos (banjos/banjoes/? plurqal of bonjo, anyone?) are surprisingly heavy. I tried to play my roomate's in college. Heavier than my strat.
Posted 18 years ago by drtjdel    [ Reply ]
Yes you are the only one that wishes Bela would play something else besides the banjo...Especially when the banjo sounds like his!!!!
Posted 18 years ago by Farquwaar    [ Reply ]
Wow, this song is TIIIGHT. Love the way the banjo and the bass "take turns."
Posted 18 years ago by SoundsGoodToMe    [ Reply ]
I am sure it is hard to play well, as are all instruments, but it seems like he could do so much more with a guitar. liser wrote:
Okay, I'll bite - what's wrong with a banjo? Ever played one? Much, much harder than you seem to think...
Posted 18 years ago by shmiverson    [ Reply ]
Damn, this is good!
Posted 18 years ago by ingoldsby    [ Reply ]
can't find a harp player? drat! ... This is really cool! ... ... Found one, bit big but bonza! ... Love that harmonica! ...
Posted 18 years ago by Mari    [ Reply ]
Nebules wrote:
Am I the only one that wishes Bela Fleck played something other than the banjo? He's a fantastic musician, but it's a banjo for Heaven's sake. I'm sure someone will give the argument "oh, but look what he can do with it!!!!" but that doesn't change the fact that he's playing a banjo.
Plus Victor Wooten plays the bass, that would be a hard spot to win.
Posted 18 years ago by ElSupreme    [ Reply ]
Yeah I was going to say the bass really REALLY sounds like Victor Wooten. Lo and behold it really is Victor Wooten. Yeah.
Posted 18 years ago by ElSupreme    [ Reply ]
Nebules wrote:
Am I the only one that wishes Bela Fleck played something other than the banjo? He's a fantastic musician, but it's a banjo for Heaven's sake. I'm sure someone will give the argument "oh, but look what he can do with it!!!!" but that doesn't change the fact that he's playing a banjo.
Okay, I'll bite - what's wrong with a banjo? Ever played one? Much, much harder than you seem to think...
Posted 18 years ago by liser    [ Reply ]
Am I the only one that wishes Bela Fleck played something other than the banjo? He's a fantastic musician, but it's a banjo for Heaven's sake. I'm sure someone will give the argument "oh, but look what he can do with it!!!!" but that doesn't change the fact that he's playing a banjo.
Posted 18 years ago by Nebules    [ Reply ]
Seeing the Flecktones tomorrow night in Tampa! I'm pretty jacked about that! If you've never seen them, go! Its always a treat!
Posted 18 years ago by fly_yamaha    [ Reply ]
The wrong album is showing on this one. It's from their self-titled album but the album cover showing is Little Worlds.
Posted 18 years ago by BKardon    [ Reply ]
Wow, what bass work.
Posted 18 years ago by zaknafein    [ Reply ]
yeah, got another album in '90 w/ Sinister Minister on it, amazing that RP didn't pick it up until recently!
Posted 18 years ago by TeddiB    [ Reply ]
Darn you RP, you made me dance!
Posted 18 years ago by StickerSticker    [ Reply ]
Posted 18 years ago by Danny_G    [ Reply ]
Since I'm a rock fan primarily (being on the 9th rock from the , though not all planets are rocks), I waited a moment before rating this quite interesting jazzy groove. Not bowled-over by it, but the 8 it got would have been a 5 if I was hasty
Posted 19 years ago by plutodazed    [ Reply ]
my jaw is still stuck on the floor since the first time i ever heard this track in '91.
Posted 19 years ago by Platypus    [ Reply ]
Best Bela Fleck song ever. And that's saying something. I started listening to these guys in the early 90's when I was playing bass in a local band in Phoenix. Heard something about this Victor Wooten guy, and boy was I glad I did. Maybe the only thing better than this is the live version off Live Art.
Posted 19 years ago by Barandis    [ Reply ]
Victor Wooten is so good it's scary. Dig the Howard Levy harmonica in this one too. The Flecktones are one band I definitely would not mind hearing more of on RP.
Posted 19 years ago by BKardon    [ Reply ]
Yeah I was browsing the Flecktones songs on RP and I was shocked to see that The Sinister Minister wasn't part of the collection. I uploaded a few weeks ago and to no surprise it was accepted! This is probably my favorite Flecktones track and was also the one that introduced me to them. Thanks for accepting it!
Posted 19 years ago by Tempus_Fugit    [ Reply ]
On the thread for "Big Country" I wrote
The multiple comparisons of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones to Kenny G on this thread confirm once and for all that Kenny G has utterly murdered the soprano sax as a viable instrument. That is, no matter how excellent and musical a given player and song may be, the great majority of people who hear ANYTHING on the Soprano are going to go "This sounds like Kenny G *CLICK*" Tack this on to Kenny G's long list of crimes, for which he will hopefully someday be punished. Bob, you can play ALL the Bela and Victor that you want. The Sinister Minister would wrangle a 10 out of me, and I'm stingy with them.
Done and done. Thanks Bob. I absolutely love this song. The way the bass and the banjo wind around each other, the simple almost bluesy banjo solo, the reeeeeeeeediculous bass solo (Hail Victor) and especially the almost klezmer-like the way the progression turns around. A definite and deserved 10, for the bass solo alone.
Posted 19 years ago by ashbyman    [ Reply ]
This is the song with which I was introduced to Bela's music (by a bass player friend of mine). Shows some seriously mad bass-playing skills! Sorta strange melodically, but shows off some excellent chops.
Posted 19 years ago by tg3k    [ Reply ]
Amazing stuff from Victor Wooten on the bass!
Posted 19 years ago by pdhski    [ Reply ]
Always good to hear musicians play.
Posted 19 years ago by scottc    [ Reply ]
My favorite Bela Fleck tune is finally here !!! WooHoo !!!! :sunny.gif:
Posted 19 years ago by psycholynx    [ Reply ]