Customer Reviews

Club Nocturne

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Though probably not my all-out favourite Yellowjackets CD, this album is very special to me for two reasons: Firstly because I happened to see the band play live while on holiday in California just after it was released in 1998 and secondly and more importantly, because it was the last album the group recorded with the phenomenal Will Kennedy on drums.

Kennedy brought something to the group that was special. The group admit themselves on their website that "Will brought a dynamic, polyrhythmic drumming technique into the band, giving Yellowjackets a unique blend of jazz, funk and African rhythms." As much as I love the group and respect each individual member's talent, that dynamic element to their sound left when he did. It hasn't been the same since.

This album is also special because it's probably their most commercially intended. It's certainly the one with the most vocal performances: one with Brenda Russell, one with Jonathan Butler and two with the wonderful Kurt Elling. (I've bought two of his CDs since hearing him here). Yellowjackets have done songs with vocals before - but four on one CD? I think this was the first and to date, the only.

The vocal songs are great though, particularly the Russell and Butler ones. So much so that I bought copies of this CD for two friends of mine who don't like jazz and they both love it. They're yet to go out seeking other Yellowjackets CDs but they love this one.

But probably not as much as I do. I love all the songs. Every single one is on point. But if I had to choose favourites, I would go for "Spirit of the West", "Stick_to_it_ive_ness", "Love and Paris Rain" (with Brenda Russell), "The Village Church" and my absolute favourite, "Twilight for Nancy". This is more than a CD to me now, it's a piece of historical treasure.

I loved this album with Kurt Elling on the song"Down in New Orleans". Even though I never been there, I can feel like I'm right there swinging to the blues and enjoying the southern hospitality.Brenda Russell also was spectacular in "Love and Paris Rain". This is one of the YellowJackets best albums.

These guys just keep finding ways to write and perform fresh stuff that's still true to true to their traditional roots. The vocal tracks make a nice divergence from the usual instrumentals, and each vocalist performs brilliantly! Get this CD so you can wear the same smile I'm wearing right now!

Club nocturne
The yellowjackats has a great jazz/pop sound. Great rythm. saxophonesolos, vocal. Really open chords on the number ten, "all is quiet". Today alot of young people only lissens to popular commersial music. Lissening to YJ makes it easer to get your ears use to jazz. I know, I found my younger sister borowing it, turning it up on the highest volume=) The Cd offers diffrent styles throughout. Sounds like their still very much exprimentating. despite this they defenently have a characteristic sound. And "all that jazz" must be the most catchy tune I ever heard!!
Love ém!! Good Cd throughout!!//A-L 18

I waited a with baited breath for this Yellowjackets CD. As a fan club member, I am something of a fanatic. As usual I was thrilled! But suprisingly, I was pleased by the instrumental selections. Kurt Elling and Jonathan Butler contributed excellently. Highly recommended!

I waited a with baited breath for this Yellowjackets CD. As a fan club member, I am something of a fanatic. As usual I was thrilled! But suprisingly, I was pleased by the instrumental selections. Kurt Elling and Jonathan Butler contributed excellently. Highly recommended!

I've been a fan of the Yellowjackets for a long time and have been disappointed by other groups that have picked up vocalists in order to get more play on Adult Contemporary radio stations. So when I saw that the Jackets had picked up a vocalist, I was afraid that the quality was going to be diminished. I was really wrong! The singers were as technically impressive as the other band members. I was especially impressed with Rachelle Ferrell's performance on 'Love And Paris Rain.' The melody would be easy on a saxophone but is unbelievably difficult to sing....and she nailed it. (NOTE: the lyrics were pretty lame though).

Great album. Great compositions. Fantastic musicians.

Four of the tracks have vocals which is a nice addition to the release. The other tunes are typical yellowjackets, decent solos with melodies somewhat reminicent of the past albums. Without the vocals I would have rated the release lower but it is worth having if you are a true Yellowjackets fan.

Four of the tracks have vocals which is a nice addition to the release. The other tunes are typical yellowjackets, decent solos with melodies reminicent of the past albums. Without the vocals I would have rated the release lower but it is worth having if you are a true Yellowjackets fan.