MusicaL Posted December 6, 2001 Share Posted December 6, 2001 If anyone has ever liked the YellowJackets, their latest double CD is an absolute must buy. It was recorded live this past July at the Mint in LA. It's a collection of about half new songs, and half older tunes. I have just begun listening to it, and am floored by the musicianship. The quality of the recording is also very good. To those who do not know about the Yellowjackets, this is a unique Jazz band with a lot of history, and some really great tunes. To me they are by far the most thrilling band to listen to. Here's a description of one of my favorite tunes on the CD off their website: "Tortoise and the Hare" is a reworking of a song from Yellowjackets' Grammy award winning recording, Politics. Originally recorded with multiple synthesizer parts, this version was retooled to be played live, with the acoustic piano playing all the synth parts, almost like a pointillistic Chopin etude. It's one of the most complex Yellowjackets' tunes but surprisingly has also become a fan favorite." Check them out here: http://www.yellowjackets.com/eveningnews/index.php Albert Gear: Yamaha MODX8, Mojo 61, NS2 73, C. Bechstein baby grand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve LeBlanc Posted December 6, 2001 Share Posted December 6, 2001 It's just not the YellowJackets I love without Robben Ford. I'll check out the album and maybe buy it but even though I'm a huge Russell Ferrante fan his more recent recordings have left me cold. http://www.youtube.com/notesleb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusicaL Posted December 6, 2001 Author Share Posted December 6, 2001 Originally posted by Steve LeBlanc: It's just not the YellowJackets I love without Robben Ford. I'll check out the album and maybe buy it but even though I'm a huge Russell Ferrante fan his more recent recordings have left me cold. Steve I have felt the same way about the recent YJ records myself, although many of these albums also contain glimpse of Ferrante virtuosity. I think this album brings back shades of Four Corners, which in my estimation is one of their best cd's ever. Although I miss having Ford on the guitar, they have carved out a very unique sound in their genre. I think you will be surprised by the energy of their latest CD. I was!! Albert PS. I miss Marc Russo also!! [ 12-06-2001: Message edited by: tuttorney ] Gear: Yamaha MODX8, Mojo 61, NS2 73, C. Bechstein baby grand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucktunes Posted December 7, 2001 Share Posted December 7, 2001 Cool, an excuse to talk about the Yellowjackets! I was a big fan of them back in the late `80's and early `90's. I kind of lost track of them after Russo left and they took a more trditional slant. Nothing against Mintzer, but Russo just had so much soul. I've always dug Ferrante's playing and writing, though. I'll have to pick up Mint Jam, I may just become a Jackets fan again. OT, my favorite live CD so far is Spyro Gyra's "Road Scholars". IMO, Spyro actually improved after Samuels left. Mostly because keyboardist Tom Shuman gets to wail so much more, and what a player he is! It's almost like he was able to take off the handcuffs after Samuels left. Peace all, Steve ><> Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Postman Posted December 7, 2001 Share Posted December 7, 2001 Originally posted by Steve LeBlanc: It's just not the YellowJackets I love without Robben Ford. I'll check out the album and maybe buy it but even though I'm a huge Russell Ferrante fan his more recent recordings have left me cold. So has Robben Ford's for me. He used to be one of my favorite guitarists, but lately, I don't know, he's just not interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfjunkie Posted December 7, 2001 Share Posted December 7, 2001 mmm... mint jam... i'm not really into the yellojackets, but a live cd by them is something i might like. i played at the mint in '99, that place is tiny! i bet it holds less than 50 people, and the stage is as big as some clubs' drum risers! great food, and the place has a nice recording studio built-in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusicWorkz Posted December 7, 2001 Share Posted December 7, 2001 COOL!. "Four Corners" is my absolute favorite. I think the last YJ CD I bought was "Greenhouse" but methinks I have an excuse to go out and get this latest one. Russell Ferante is THE man and I love the compositions and arrangements they come up with.... Yamaha (Motif XS7, Motif 6, TX81Z), Korg (R3, Triton-R), Roland (XP-30, D-50, Juno 6, P-330). Novation A Station, Arturia Analog Experience Factory 32 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusicaL Posted April 19, 2002 Author Share Posted April 19, 2002 Bump!! Saw them at the Catalina Bar & Grill last night. The show was just terrific. First time I've seen the YJ in about 10 years since the Long Beach Jazz festival in the early 90's. This was by far the best concert I've attended EVER. What a blessing to be there at arms length from some of the best musicians on the planet. Everyone shined... Russell was unbelievable on the Piano. He played a Steinway as opposed to the Yamaha... and sounded fantastic. He is my musical inspiration. Bob Mintzer had great lines, great sound. What else can I say. Jimmy Haslip was unbelievable as usual! and Marcus Baylor is a great addition. Love his drumming. And the bonus of the night was having William Kennedy in the audience. I wasn't sure if it was him when he walked in the room, coz of the new doo ( or lack thereof-- he shaved his head clean....) As an encore, they played Revelation and invited Wil Kennedy to play the drums. Seeing him play the right handed kit was kinda fun, and what a drummer he is. I was in musical bliss. If you get a chance to see these guys, you ought to do yourself a favor and check them out. They are out of this world... Albert Gear: Yamaha MODX8, Mojo 61, NS2 73, C. Bechstein baby grand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Azzarello Posted April 19, 2002 Share Posted April 19, 2002 Originally posted by Postman: Originally posted by Steve LeBlanc: [qb]It's just not the YellowJackets I love without Robben Ford. qb]So has Robben Ford's for me. He used to be one of my favorite guitarists, but lately, I don't know, he's just not interesting.I tend to agree. One of my favorite Yellowjacket's tunes was "Monmouth College Fight Song" from the CAsino Lights CD (album back then), a live compilation recording from the '84(?) Montreaux Jazz Festival. It had the 'Jackets, Robben, and a horn section. GREAT tune. Pat http://www.patazzarello.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henryrobinett Posted April 20, 2002 Share Posted April 20, 2002 Yeah, I used tp play "Monmoth College Fight Song". Cool tune. They're a great band. I actually liked them better without Robben, although I'm a big Ford fan and a guitar player. I think compositionally they got a lot more interesting later on. Plus Mintzer is a great addition. Will Kennedy gave them a lot a room for breath, I thought. I actually played about three tunes from their first two lps. All the best, Henry Robinett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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