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."
Sojourn of Arjuna
Béla Fleck and the Flecktones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Arjuna is like tired of war, he's trying to get out of this battle
so Krishna drops a little science on him, he says you know it's the way of
spiritual growth
a man must go forth from where he stands
he cannot jump to the absolute, he must evolve toward it (can you hear that)
Krishna says at any given moment in time we are what we are
Arjuna we have to accept the consequences of being ourselves
we may select the battleground but we cannot avoid the battle
so Krishna tells Arjuna it follows therefore that every action under certain
circumstances and for certain people may actually be a stepping stone to
spiritual growth
Arjuna is to do the best he knows
in order to pass beyond that best to better
how can we prescribe our neighbors to be perfect
when it is so hard to know our own heart
the pacifist must respect Arjuna
Arjuna must respect the pacifist.
both are going toward the same goal
if they are really sincere
there's an underlying solidarity between them
which can be expressed
each one follows without compromise the path upon which he finds himself
for we can only help others to do their duty
by doing what we ourselves believe to be right
it is the one supremely social act.
so Kirshna's reply to Arjuna occupies the rest of the story
it deals not only with Arjuna's immediate personal problem
but the whole nature of action
the meaning of life
and the aims for which man must struggle here on earth
at the end of the conversation Arjuna has changed his mind
he's ready to fight, he's ready to go ahead on
it is the way of spiritual growth
a man must go forward from where he stands
he cannot jump to the absolute
and the battle begins...
The lyrics to Béla Fleck and the Flecktones' song "Sojourn of Arjuna" tell the story of a conversation between two characters from the Hindu epic, the Mahabharata - Arjuna and Krishna. Arjuna is tired of the ongoing battle and wants to get out, but Krishna encourages him to see the conflicts as a necessary part of spiritual growth. Krishna explains that a person must accept the consequences of being themselves, and only through this acceptance can they begin to evolve further. He then tells Arjuna that every action, even in the midst of battle, can be a stepping stone to spiritual growth if approached with the right mindset.
The conversation between Arjuna and Krishna relates not just to the personal struggle of one character, but also to the nature of action and the meaning of life itself. By the end of their conversation, Arjuna has changed his mind and is ready to continue fighting. Overall, the song encourages listeners to see the struggles and conflicts in their lives as opportunities for personal growth and evolution.
Line by Line Meaning
So Arjuna and Krishna you know they're hanging out on the battlefield
Arjuna and Krishna are present on the battlefield
Arjuna is like tired of war, he's trying to get out of this battle
Arjuna wants to avoid the battle and is fatigued by conflict
so Krishna drops a little science on him, he says you know it's the way of spiritual growth
Krishna explains that conflict can lead to spiritual development
a man must go forth from where he stands
An individual must progress from their current position
he cannot jump to the absolute, he must evolve toward it (can you hear that)
One cannot instantaneously achieve perfection but must work towards it gradually
Krishna says at any given moment in time we are what we are
Krishna says that one's current state is a part of their self
Arjuna we have to accept the consequences of being ourselves
Arjuna must acknowledge the results of being true to himself
and only through this acceptance can we begin to evolve further
Growth can only occur following acceptance of oneself
we may select the battleground but we cannot avoid the battle
Choosing the location of a conflict does not prevent confrontation
so Krishna tells Arjuna it follows therefore that every action under certain
Krishna asserts that each action has the potential to contribute to spiritual growth
circumstances and for certain people may actually be a stepping stone to
The context and one's individual qualities determine the value of each action
spiritual growth
Achievement of spiritual development
Arjuna is to do the best he knows
Arjuna should act according to his understanding
in order to pass beyond that best to better
Continual progress requires surpassing previous achievements
how can we prescribe our neighbors to be perfect
It is difficult to guide others towards perfection
when it is so hard to know our own heart
Understanding oneself is challenging
the pacifist must respect Arjuna
Pacifists should acknowledge Arjuna's decision to fight
Arjuna must respect the pacifist.
Arjuna should recognize the value of pacifism
both are going toward the same goal
Both seek spiritual growth
if they are really sincere
The pursuit of spiritual development requires true dedication
there's an underlying solidarity between them
There is a fundamental connection between pacifists and Arjuna
which can be expressed
This connection can be shown
each one follows without compromise the path upon which he finds himself
Individuals should adhere to the paths they have chosen without wavering
for we can only help others to do their duty
One can only assist others in fulfilling their responsibilities
by doing what we ourselves believe to be right
This assistance is provided by acting in accordance with one's personal beliefs
it is the one supremely social act.
This is the ultimate form of social interaction.
so Kirshna's reply to Arjuna occupies the rest of the story
Krishna's response to Arjuna becomes the focus of the narrative
it deals not only with Arjuna's immediate personal problem
Krishna's words address not only Arjuna's immediate issue
but the whole nature of action
But the true nature of behaviour
the meaning of life
The significance of existence
and the aims for which man must struggle here on earth
And the motivations to which humans must aspire during their lifetimes
at the end of the conversation Arjuna has changed his mind
By the end of the discussion, Arjuna has altered his decision
he's ready to fight, he's ready to go ahead on
Arjuna is prepared to engage in battle
it is the way of spiritual growth
This conflict represents an opportunity for spiritual development
a man must go forward from where he stands
One must progress in life from their current position forward
he cannot jump to the absolute
Perfection cannot be instantaneously achieved
and the battle begins...
The conflict commences.
Contributed by Elliot V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.