My Bluegrass Heart
Béla Fleck · 2021
105 min · 19 tracks · jazz
A vibrant fusion of bluegrass and jazz that showcases intricate arrangements and virtuosic instrumentation throughout.
Top tracks — play these first
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Vertigo Start here — This opening track sets the tone with its dynamic interplay between instruments, highlighting Fleck's banjo skills alongside unexpected rhythmic shifts.
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Boulderdash — Characterized by its playful complexity, Boulderdash features rapid-fire melodies that showcase the ensemble's technical prowess and creative synergy.
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Psalm 136 — A contemplative piece that blends spiritual themes with intricate arrangements, demonstrating Fleck's ability to merge emotional depth with musical sophistication.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album blends bluegrass and jazz with intricate arrangements and strong musicianship, making it a standout in its genre.
What we noticed
- The album features a wide range of tempos, with tracks alternating between brisk, energetic pieces and slower, more contemplative arrangements.
- Each track showcases intricate interplay among instruments, often featuring multiple solos that highlight the virtuosity of the musicians involved.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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9/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic emotional journeys
- long immersive listening sessions
- layered dense sonic textures
- gradual builds and payoffs
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Represents a significant return to bluegrass, showcasing Fleck's artistry and innovation.
- Themes
- bluegrass revival· spiritual reflection· virtuosic instrumentation
- Career context
- Released on September 10, 2021, My Bluegrass Heart arrives as Béla Fleck's first project focused solely on bluegrass since his landmark album, Drive, over three decades prior. This album finds him at a stage where he continues to redefine the boundaries of the genre, following an extensive career marked by numerous Grammy awards and genre-crossing collaborations.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Chris Thile· Punch Brothers· Nickel Creek
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 Vertigo Start here 5:18
- 2 The Old North Woods 4:56
- 3 Slippery Eel 4:23
- 4 Hug Point 5:18
- 5 Boulderdash 7:01
- 6 Our Little Secret 6:26
- 7 Round Rock 6:09
- 8 Baptist Pumpkin Farm 6:11
- 9 Charm School 8:03
Disc 2
- 1 Strider 7:26
- 2 This Old Road 4:55
- 3 Us Chickens 3:58
- 4 Sour Grapes 4:04
- 5 Hunky Dory 5:47
- 6 Tentacle Dragon (Revenge of the) 5:53
- 7 Bum's Rush 5:31
- 8 Hunter's Moon 6:17
- 9 Wheels Up 4:15
- 10 Psalm 136 3:52
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
The Phosphorescent Blues
Punch Brothers
Combines bluegrass roots with jazz-inflected arrangements and intricate musicianship.
How to Grow a Woman from the Ground
Chris Thile
Merges virtuosic instrumentation with deep, reflective songwriting in a bluegrass context.
A Dotted Line
Nickel Creek
Explores the fusion of traditional bluegrass with contemporary folk and jazz elements, emphasizing musical interplay.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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