Twenty Five (Bonus Dvd)

Yellowjackets | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 23, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Heads Up
• ASIN: B000FAOC54
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,021 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #16 in Music > Jazz > Jazz Fusion
  • #20 in Music > Jazz > Smooth Jazz

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

In 1981, a group of sessions musicians decided to form a band and call themselves the Yellowjackets. In the 21st century, they are still stinging listeners and critics with their tradition-laden, groove-oriented sound. This combination CD/DVD captures the current group -- founding members, bassist Jimmy Haslip and keyboardist Russ Ferrante, with saxophonist Bob Mintzer and drummer Marcus Baylor – live during their 2005 European tour. With the exception of Spyro Gyra, no other ensemble has so expertly navigated the blurry lines between acoustic, fusion, and smooth jazz as these guys. The material, culled from the tour, comprises some of their greatest hits, including a spirited retake of the gospel-tinged "Jacketown," the sumptuous ballad "Geraldine," and the edgy, avant-garde leaning "Runferyerlife" and "Free Town." Supplemented by the DVD's concert footage, along with some revealing interviews with past and present band members, the "buzz" on this band shows no signs of diminishing. --Eugene Holley, Jr.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In their prime at 25, May 30, 2006

By 

Jim Newsom (Norfolk, VA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Twenty Five (Bonus Dvd) (Audio CD)

Giving a Yellowjackets CD five stars seems kinda redundant. For most of their career, they have consistently produced outstanding recordings, and they remain one of the best live jazz bands in existence. This live outing commemorates the group's 25th birthday and is the latest in the new trend of CD/DVD combo packs. The audio disc comes from a performance in Paris last October, kicks off with Russ Ferrante's memorable gospel rave-up, "Revelation," and locks into a steady groove for the next 70 minutes that is simply mesmerizing. The DVD was filmed at a stop in Italy on the same tour and draws mostly from a different set-list (only three tunes turn up on both CD and DVD). For us Jacketeers, the video disc may be the most fun, taking us onstage and behind the scenes. The repertoire digs deep into the band's songbook, with fresh takes on longtime faves and forgotten mementoes. - Jim Newsom

originally published in Port Folio Weekly, 5/30/06.
Copyright 2006 Port Folio Weekly. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Top Notch Contemporary Jazz, May 25, 2006

By 

Mark A. Wellman (Plaucheville, LA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Twenty Five (Bonus Dvd) (Audio CD)

If you like contemporary jazz, buy this. It includes a live CD from a concert in Paris and a live DVD from a concert in Italy. This quartet shows why they have been around for 25 years; everything about it is excellent. The only problem is which do I play, the CD or the DVD? This deserves ten stars, five for the CD and five for the DVD.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yellowjackets 25, July 28, 2006

By 

Donald Walton (Front Royal, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Twenty Five (Bonus Dvd) (Audio CD)

The Yellowjackets are a superb jazz group, and I feel best heard live. This double CD set shows off these extremeley talented musicians . The intro to the first song is worth the price of the CD. Donnie Walton