A while ago we were discussing Buckethead in the CGN thread, and so I decided, "Why not just have a Buckethead thread for Buckethead discussion?" I stole the title of the thread from someone on GameFAQs <.< But I don't think he'll mind. Anyway, get to clucking!
I have a handful of his solo albums, but the man's true brilliance in his live performances with collaborative bands. Check out the Praxis set from Bonnaroo 2004 or a Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains show.
The latter is a side project consisting of Les Claypool of Primus, Buckethead, Primus drummer "Brain," and the legendary funkster Bernie Worrell on keys. Praxis involved a lot of collaborators over the years, but the main touring lineup is actually the same as C2B3 but with Bill Laswell in place of Les Claypool, which makes the band way different.
Praxis and C2B3 performances are almost all improvisational, and though both bands have their fair share of unexciting wafting here and there, the intense moments of musical ecstasy that they do reach make it worth the wait.