Frontman Béla Fleck plays acoustic and electric banjos, mixing a bluegrass and folk sound into a modern improvisational style. Fleck has received Grammy nominations for jazz, bluegrass, pop, spoken word and country.
Brothers Victor Wooten and Roy "Future Man" Wooten form the rhythm section. Victor Wooten is widely lauded in jazz circles for his sometimes hyperkinetic slap and pop technique on bass guitar. Future Man plays percussion using the one and only 'Synthaxe Drumitar', a MIDI controller shaped like a guitar.
Membership in The Flecktones is little changed since the band released its eponymous first album.
Harmonica and keyboards player Howard Levy appeared on the Flecktones' first three albums. After Levy's departure, Fleck and the Wooten Brothers regrouped on the album Three Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, the title a reference to the 1975 movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest based on Ken Kesey's novel. Saxophonist Jeff Coffin joined the band beginning with the album Left Of Cool.
The band has won several Grammy awards.
Each of the current members of the quartet has released at least one solo album. The band's name is a play on the name of the 1960s rock band Dick Dale and His Del-Tones.
The band went on an amicable year-long hiatus throughout 2005, during which the individual members toured frequently in other configurations.
Since late 2009, the Flecktones have been touring with founding member and harmonica player Howard Levy for the first time in 18 years under the moniker "Béla Fleck and the Original Flecktones."
Communication
Béla Fleck and the Flecktones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Start saying what you mean to say
All your troubles are gonna run away
Start saying what you mean to say
I love you I'll be true
As time goes by
And if you Will try to
You'll learn to trust my heart
Start saying what you mean to say
All your troubles gonna run away
Start saying what you mean to today (repeat)
Don't follow your sorrow
But try to find
From growing To knowing
The tender of your mind
To love you Must be true
As time goes by
Still yearning You're learning
The way to trust your heart
Communication is the only way
Start saying what you mean to say
All your troubles gonna run away
Start saying what you mean to say
The lyrics of "Communication" by Béla Fleck & the Flecktones emphasize the importance of clear communication in relationships. The song begins by stating that communication is the only way to solve problems and that people must start saying exactly what they mean. The repetition of the phrase "start saying what you mean to say" throughout the song reinforces the message of the importance of honesty and openness in communication. It encourages individuals to express their love and be true to their feelings towards their loved ones.
The second half of the song takes a more introspective approach, urging people to connect with their own emotions by not giving in to their sorrow but rather finding joy and growth in understanding themselves better. The lyrics suggest that in order to love others truly, one must first learn to trust their own heart. The song concludes by reiterating the importance of communication and encouraging listeners to take action towards clear communication in all their relationships.
Overall, the song Communication is a beautiful message about nurturing healthy relationships through honesty, openness and mindfulness towards ourselves as well as our loved ones.
Line by Line Meaning
Communication is the only way
Talking openly and honestly with others is the best method of understanding and resolving issues.
Start saying what you mean to say
Begin to express your true thoughts and feelings instead of keeping them inside.
All your troubles are gonna run away
By having clear communication with others, problems that seem insurmountable may suddenly disappear.
I love you I'll be true
My feelings for you are sincere and I will always be genuine in my actions towards you.
As time goes by
As we continue our journey through life together...
And if you will try to
If you make the effort to...
You'll learn to trust my heart
You will come to have confidence in my true intentions and feelings.
Don't follow your sorrow
Do not allow your negative emotions to dominate your actions and thoughts.
But try to find
Instead, search for...
From growing to knowing
From experiencing life's challenges and triumphs to gaining knowledge and understanding of yourself and the world around you.
The tender of your mind
The delicate and vulnerable parts of your psyche that need to be nurtured and protected.
To love you must be true
For love to be real and lasting, it must be honest and sincere.
Still yearning you're learning
Continuing to desire and seek growth and knowledge is a lifelong process.
The way to trust your heart
By understanding and accepting yourself, you can have faith in your true feelings and desires.
Start saying what you mean to say
Repeat of the earlier message that clear and honest communication is vital.
Writer(s): ROY WOOTEN, BELA FLECK
Contributed by Isabella L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.