BELA FLECK – THROW DOWN YOUR HEART
Released early last year, Throw Down Your Heart is both the third part in Bela Fleck’s international series and the soundtrack to a film of the same name. Taking his considerable banjo plucking skills and journeying across Africa to play and record with many of that continent’s finest musicians, Bela searches for the roots of the banjo. In the process he uses his skill to interweave that instrument into the feel and dynamic of the wide variety of African music. The calibre of collaborators tells much of the story, Toumani Diabate, Baba Maal and Vusi Mahlasela are amongst his friends, and there are no egos on either side. The duets are intimate, the playing subtle, you might be hard pressed to even hear the banjo unless you knew it was there, these are true ensemble pieces whose variety is both its strength and weakness, no sooner do you immerse yourself in one side of the continent than you are bundled off to the other side. His work with his Mali hostess Oumou Sangare is the highlight, her voice one of rare beauty. The good news is that we get to hear those two together here in March.
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