Track Listing

1. Future Man
2. Texas Red
3. Pink Flamingo
4. Duke and Cookie
5. One Winter's Night
6. Macedonia
7. Lochs of Dread
8. No Apologies
9. Slopes
10. Blue Men of the Sahara

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1601 in Music
• Released on: 1998-03-24
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com essential recording
This acoustic supergroup joined forces in the summer of 1988, and the result was a true landmark in "new acoustic" music. As if bluegrass (and even "newgrass") was too constricting, the quintet--Sam Bush (mandolin), Jerry Douglas (dobro), Bela Fleck (banjo), Mark O'Connor (violin), and Edgar Meyer (bass)--incorporates classical-style themes and arrangements within the context of bluegrass instrumentation. Their unbelievable technique and musical ability was never in question; however, what makes the album special is the uncanny blend of precision and freedom, of improvisation and structure. Each of the 10 compositions were written by a different twosome (do the math permutations). Playful bluesy lopes ("Pink Flamingo") accompany tinges of reggae ("The Locks of Dread"), Celtic ("Macedonia"), and Middle Eastern ("Blue Men of the Sahara") music. There are urgent burners, somber mood pieces, and tender ballads, all delivered with grace. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews

Timeless
This summit of acoustic genius remains the standard of excellence for blue/newgrass music some 13 years after its original recording. What makes "Strength in Numbers" such a compelling effort is the willingness of the musicians - all masters of their respective domains - to tone down the individual string pyrotechnics and work together as an ensemble.

The result is vibrant, diverse, and exciting music - from the mysterious opening strains of "Future Man" to the apocalyptic denoument of "Blue Men of the Sahara", the listener remains fully engaged throughout. If I had to pick three as an example of the breadth of talent at work here, I'd probably point to the "middle" of the CD - 1) "One Winter's Night," a lovely chamber piece involving beautiful interplay between Egdar Meyer's bowed bass and Mark O'Connor' violin; 2)"Macedonia", a bluegrass cum Greek dance song featuring the twin mandolins of O'Connor and Sam Bush (plus terrific, understated banjo backup from Bela Fleck), and 3) "Lochs of Dread", a Scottish/reggae (that's not a misprint) bounce-along composed by Fleck and dobro wizzard Jerry Douglas.

The appeal of "Strength in Numbers" goes beyond the "bluegrass jam" label. Some are clamoring for more from these five; I fear that any sequel would be a let down - then again, I wouldn't bet against them!

Definitave NEWgrass bluegrass!
As much praise as has been heaped upon this album, one can hardly add anything new, but I simply must put in my two cents.

This album is *very* important in the history of bluegrass for several reasons.

First, because of the assembly of an absolute superstar lineup: Bela Fleck (banjo), Mark O'Connor (fiddle); Sam Bush (mandolin), Edgar Meyer (bass), & Jerry Douglas (dobro). All of these people are considered to be at the top of their field, and some of them are numbered amongst the legends of all time.

Secondly, because of the originality of the material. Most of the members of this group have plenty of experience in other areas (i.e. Fleck with jazz & world music, Meyer is a classical composer, etc.) Many of these songs have classical structures and incorporate elements of jazz as well. The amazing thing is that despite all of these outside elements, its still bluegrass music. Of course, its not old style like Bill Monroe, but all musical forms change and evolve, and this is certainly well within and respectful of the bluegrass tradition.

To go on and on about the players prowess would be silly, because everyone knows these guys are la creme de la creme. You know its innovative bluegrass though when there are songs titles like "Macedonia" (with a nice dobro & mandolin solos and trade-offs), "Blue Men of the Sahara" (which sounds like a runaway train during the jam) and "Lochs of Dread" (with its reggae beat.) This isn't your grandaddy's bluegrass, but he'd probably enjoy it too.

A Bargain at Twice the Price
This album has no singing, just great all-acoustic instrument playing. Mark O'Connor, who was a fiddle champion at 14 and a flatpicking guitar champion at 16 (beating fellow legend Steve Kaufman), plays a breathless guitar on "Slopes." I still think seeing Mark play guitar is the highlight of his live shows. I've followed Jerry since before the Whites, Bela since his bands Tasty Licks and Spectrum, and Edgar since just after his days playing out in front of the ice cream stand. Of course, Sam Bush started the original incarnation of New Grass Revival in 1972 and has been at the forefront of this music since day one. Yes, these players are pretty much the house band at Telluride each year, and this wonderful album is a nice taste of what they do so well. Each player wrote one song with each other player, all in twosomes. That's the album. I've talked to Mark and Bela and both have said there will never be second Strength in Numbers album--this is it. What a heartbreaking thought. They do play together, or nearly all together, on dozens of other albums, but this one has a spirit and a life of its own. Twelve years later, it's still groundbreaking, inventive, and fresh. Trust all these reviews, this is the granddaddy of the "new acoustic" albums by the best players walking this earth.