Natural Bridge cover

Natural Bridge

Béla Fleck · 1982

42 min · 11 tracks · jazz · bluegrass music

A seamless fusion of bluegrass, jazz, and classical nuances showcasing Fleck's virtuosic banjo playing.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • balanced progression with climactic moments
  • engaging for attentive listening
  • for afternoon reflection
  • short tracks that maintain interest
  • virtuosic instrumentation showcases detail

Maybe skip if you want

  • looking for instant gratification
  • prefer standalone hits over cohesion

Where this album fits

Career context
Released in 1982, 'Natural Bridge' was Béla Fleck's third album, following his breakout with New Grass Revival. At this point, Fleck was solidifying his reputation as a pioneering force in progressive bluegrass, exploring intricate compositions that blended various genres.
Stylistic neighbors
Chris Thile· Punch Brothers· Nickel Creek

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Punchdrunk 2:39
  • 2 Flexibility 4:11
  • 3 Dawg's Due 2:59
  • 4 Daybreak 3:00
  • 5 Bitter Gap 2:59
  • 6 October Winds 5:48
  • 7 Crossfire 3:26
  • 8 Applebutter 2:42
  • 9 Old Hickory Waltz 4:53
  • 10 Rocky Road 3:24
  • 11 The Natural Bridge Suite 6:55

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata