Bela Fleck is one of the greatest five-string banjo players performing today. Beginning in the 1970s, he honed his lightning-fast chops performing bluegrass, then moved on to contemporary jazz and fusion sounds. With this album, he broadens his horizons once again by performing an entire programme of classical-music transcriptions. Reminiscent of classical-guitar albums by John Williams (who makes a guest appearance here), the disc traverses a wide repertoire--from Chopin mazurkas to Bach's Two and Three Part Inventions. Throughout, Fleck displays a feathery touch on his banjo, and his instrument offers a pleasant, brassy tone with very little twang. The technique he displays on Perpetual Motion is astounding and a refreshing change of pace from the smooth grooves found on the banjoist's Flecktones recordings. The arrangements are generally minimalist and understated, but violinist Joshua Bell, bassist Edgar Meyer, mandolinist Chris Thile and percussionist Evelyn Glennie join in on this ground-breaking disc. Bluegrass purists may be disappointed, but classical fans will be astounded by how perfectly natural Fleck's banjo sounds on these works. --Jason Verlinde
forget the kids u'll love this!!, 15 Mar 2008
I bought this for my 3 1/2yr old who wouldnt stop doing the hokey cokey, i caught her dad battling with her to put on superman!!! we all enjoyed prancing round to some good old party favourites, like the birdie song agadoo, simple simon. Definately worth the money.
what fun, 22 Feb 2008
forget any workout videos put this on with your little ones its really good fun the singing is your typical cheesey type but its in tune clear and my eldest daughter who doesnt entertain singing or dancing genuinely liked it shes 4 my youngest whos 20 moths was loving every second dancing and trying to do the actions i highly recommend this for anyone with young children who wants to do a workout and entertain the kids.
Not a bad collection of children's music, but....., 17 Nov 2008
The music is not bad but, I was looking for a CD with music sang only by children. This CD is also sung by adults and I did not like that. If you are looking for children CDs, I would not recommend this CD. Also, this is not a suitable CD for those who want to find Christmas music to teach to foreign children. Some of these songs are far too difficult for foreign children under eight years old to learn.
Great Fun for all Kids, 04 Dec 2002
My 18 month old loves this CD set, from the modern TV inspired songs Tweenies & Teletubbies to the not so well known traditional nursery rhymes (that Mummy remembers!!)
Great for travelling, with all the family singing along - even the older ones!!
The flying fingers of Fleck, 02 Feb 2008
Nice to see that Bela has expanded his classical repertoire from the single piece that he used to play on stage (and on his DVD).
Having been a fan of his for many years and having been fortunate enough to catch him "Live" at The Mean Fiddler" in Harlesden a few years ago, I am delighted to see him go from strength to strength.
He has also moved The Banjo from what was perceived by many to be an instrument of derision to a thing of considerable beauty!
Let's face it, Bela could play anything, if he set his mind to it.His ability and talent seem boundless.
I look forward with anticipation to see where he decides to go from here.
Simply Inspiring!, 01 Feb 2006
What can I say. I added this cd to my order thinking that it looked good. It is AWESOME! It's a worthy addition to a cd collection!
Enjoy
A musical delight, 11 Dec 2004
This is an eccentric but rather fine recording with an array of wonderful musicians supporting Bela Fleck. I have never heard the banjo played in this way before - it is a revelation. The selection of music is firmly within the classical pops but the instrumentation and arrangements provide harmonies that are quite new. Well worth buying and great fun.
Mind-bending finger-numbing work., 22 Aug 2003
Prediction: This new "Perpetual Motion" compilation by Fleck and friends will win a Grammy for best classical crossover album. By a - if you'll excuse the expression - country mile.
Béla Fleck, sometimes whimsically called "the Bartók of the banjo" (his full given name is Béla Anton Leos Fleck, for composers Bartók, Dvorak and Janácek) is - on this new album - "the Bach of the banjo" for nearly half of its 20 tracks. Collaborating with an all-star group of classical and roots musicians, Béla has come up with a delightful surprise of an album. Made up of - more or less - equal parts good cheer, tasteful and fitting arrangements of classical chamber music for novel groups of instruments, and just plain down and dirty fun, this album is sure to appeal to both "traditional" Fleck fans and classical music lovers of all stripes.
Once again, as on some previous projects, Fleck's main artisitc partner in the enterprise is Edgar Meyer (that man who can do absolutely anything with a string bass), whose roles here include not only instrumental contributions but repertoire suggestions and arrangements as well. The two of them team up to good effect in Bach's Two-Part Invention No. 6, BWV 777, and, with Edgar on piano, in a more-or-less "straight" version of Paganini's "Moto Perpetuo."
Of the other collaborators on this album (and there are several, including classical guitarist John Williams, cellist Gary Hoffman and mandolinist Chris Thile), special mention must go to percussionist Evelyn Glennie on marimba, for her delicately-shaded work on several of the Bach Inventions, and to Joshua Bell on violin (and Hoffman on cello) for a ravishing take on Debussy's "Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum" from his Children's Corner suite. The latter is one of my favorite tracks on the album, and I'm not even a particular fan of Bell; he is simply perfect in this piece.
What would a Béla Fleck album be without some REALLY sidesplitting hot licks? Those who desire this "Fleck fix" need not worry; there are two tracks fitting this description: an arrangement for banjo and classical guitar of Beethoven's "Seven Variations on 'God Save the King'," and, to wrap the album up, a bluegrass version of the Paganini title work.
Will my Grammy prediction come true? Who knows? The prediction could certainly be confounded if the appropriate NARAS Grammy nominating committee decides that Mark O'Connor's new album, "The American Seasons," is categorized as "classical crossover," leading to the possibility of a deadlocked vote. So why don't you just go out and try Mark's new album as well, and cover your bases?
Great stuff, this mind-bending finger-numbing work by Béla and his buddies.
