Left of Cool


Left of Cool is the fifth studio album released by Béla [Fleck and the Flecktones], released in 1998.

History

Left of Cool is the first album to feature Jeff Coffin, who had already toured with the band after the departure of Howard Levy. The album cover depicts Future Man, Béla Fleck, and Victor Wooten standing on Coffin's head.
On the Live at the Quick DVD, Fleck describes how, after the melody for "Big Country" came to him, he called his answering machine and sang it so it would not be lost.
A different arrangement of "Sojourn of Arjuna" appears on Victor Wooten's album What Did He Say? released the previous year.
Guests include Dave Matthews and Amy Grant.
Left of Cool is currently the highest-charting Flecktones album to date, reaching #191 on The Billboard 200.

Reception

In his Allmusic review, music critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote "Often, it's enjoyable to just hear them jam; however, for most fans, the greatest pleasure on Left of Cool will be finding the little details within the solos. The opener, 'Throwdown at the Hoedown', is one of a handful of cuts that really makes a lasting impression."

Track listing

  1. "Throwdown At The Hoedown" – 5:09
  2. "Communication" – 4:16
  3. "Big Country" – 5:31
  4. "Sojourn Of Arjuna" – 5:27
  5. "Let Me Be The One" – 4:38
  6. "Trane To Conamarra" – 6:48
  7. "Almost 12" – 3:15
  8. "Step Quiet" – 4:02
  9. "Oddity" – 5:32
  10. "Sleeping Dogs Lie" – 4:02
  11. "Trouble and Strife" – 5:15
  12. "Slow Walker" – 5:23
  13. "Shanti" – 5:12
  14. "The Big Blink" – 7:57
  15. "Prelude To Silence" – 3:55

Personnel

The Flecktones

Guest musicians