Customer Reviews

Greenhouse

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

 

 

Look, Yellowjackets got a bad rep they don't deserve. True, they started off as a more rock oriented fuzak unit but the good news is, they grew up. This CD is the proof of that assertion. Ferrante proved himself to be a fine composer and with the addition of Bob Mintzer's ballsy tenor, this unit finally pulled away from the smooth jazz arena they had languished in. Not to disparage the other guy, but in the end, he was a lick player. Mintzer is the real deal, a jazz player with a big vocabulary who really knows his stuff. And he can write! And arrange.

This is a mature effort with not a single dud track. None other than Vince Mendoza did the string arrangments and for those in doubt, these are NOT empty sweetening, but amazingly challenging and creative parts that augment the tunes without getting in the way or diluting quartet sound. And William Kennedy is simply the best drummer around for this kind of music. He makes it all feel great. As Gary Burton once said, "you only sound as good as your drummer." No wonder the 'Jackets never sounded better. When they lost William, they lost their heartbeat.

Pity this is out of print. It is one for the ages, and easily the most ambitious and best Yellowjackets recording of their entire output. This is NOT timid jazz.

This is another well written group of compositions from the YJ's
Exit Mr. Russo( sorry to see you leave... thanks for the memories) Enter Mr. Mintzer(I hope the spelling is correct) who has brought a darker sound to some of the compositions (in a good way) This CD has some very breath taking moments... which is the norm. for these guys. I have picked up everything since Four Corners, and have been very satisfied with all of them.

I'm not a musician, composer etc. so I cannot say anything more technical than - Absolutely wonderful!
Got to be one of the best Jazz CD's I own.

A true classic I once had and lost. This is one of the Yellowjackets best albums. I was ecstatic when I received it and I haven't stopped playing it as yet. I especially love the title song "Greenhouse" which is hauntingly beautiful and the also beautiful "Seven Stars". If you are a Yellowjackets fan as I am you have to add this one to you collection.

What can we say about a group that gives it up to you all the time.
unwaivering, relentless, colorful. One can get intoxicated by endless
sweet honey. The group, "Yellow Jackets", have a reputation of creating sounds unlike any others. Top musicians displaying mind blowing syncopated grooves! Or relaxing yet tingling sensations. Any true artist will concede, Yellow Jackets is a group not to be feared! Only to be embraced. You just can't get enough of that sweet stuff!

ALL KIDDING ASIDE, THIS IS A WONDERFUL CD. FREEDOMLAND IS ONE OF THE CATCHIEST TUNES YOU'LL EVER PLAY. SPIRITS IS MOODY AND DEEP---YOU WON'T FIND A DUD ON THIS ONE AT ALL. PUT THIS ONE TOGETHER WITH THE FIRST TEN 'JAX ALBUMS AND YOU'LL BE SITTING PRETTY WITH THE BEST GROUP THIS SIDE OF SPYRO GYRA. MAKE SURE YOU GRAB THE STAR TREK IV SOUNDTRACK SO YOU CAN GET "BALLAD OF THE WHALE" TOO. NUFF SAID.