Dreams Of Flight - Edgar Meyer (1987)
In this modern world of everything being available all the time, this record seems to barely exist. I’m relying on the gentleman who built the YT playlist I’ve linked here. While it has all the tracks, There’s other stuff in the playlist as well. It’s all Meyer, though, and all worth hearing.
Bought this from a cutout bin when I was a kid, almost certainly just because it had a penguin on the cover. I liked it, but I didn’t fully understand what an interesting mixture I was hearing until I was much older.
Meyer is one of the top double bass players in the classical / orchestral space (as well as being a composer), but he also has a long history with American roots music. You’ll find him in Goat Rodeo with Yo Yo Ma and Chris Thile, as well as playing with Bela Fleck and others who have a foot in each world.
His first few records were released on MCA, apparently categorized as jazz, and they are out of print and not even streaming anywhere. This is a wonderful record that’s worth tracking down, though; full of whimsy and beauty and humor, with stellar playing throughout.
Tracks
Webbed Feet - with Jerry Douglas on dobro
Dreams Of Flight - wonderfully melodic
The Expedition - duet with Bela Fleck on banjo
Moderato - a movement from one of his classical compositions. whole thing here
