Yellowjackets create buzz again on ‘LifeCycle’
By Phillip Sayblack
Friday, August 15, 2008
Most people who know me know that I’m a metal head. I won’t deny that by any means. My brothers converted me to a metal head when I was young. But those who truly know me know that I’m more than just a metal head. I’m a music lover first and foremost. And my first true musical love is jazz. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved Miles Davis’s landmark album, ‘Kind of Blue.’ And John Coletrane is by far my favorite jazz musician of all time. As I’ve gotten older, though, my musical horizons have broadened. In my senior year of high school, I discovered the Yellowjackets. I even had the honor of performing for and being critiqued by them when they came to ECU for a jazz festival there. That was when they were touring in support of their album, ‘Club Nocturne.’ The band has put out a handful of releases since then. The last release was in 2005’s, ‘Altered States’ on its current label, Heads-Up International. Between then and now, the band has offered its fans a live CD/DVD release in ‘25’ and even a holiday album to tide them over. Now, after much anticipation, the band has given its fans an enjoyable new release, full of great songs in ‘Lifecycle.’
This album could not have come at a better time. It is an album that is perfect for a warm day. A person could open some windows, let in the warm breeze, turn on this wonderful record, and simply relax. It is even great for summertime social gatherings. A person could invite some friends over, and have the record on in the background to help set a laid back mood.
‘Lifecycle’ is yet another outstanding mark in the career of this band. The only real downsides to this album come from the somewhat melancholy song, “Dreams Go”, and the equally contemplative “Measure of a Man.” These two pieces are sadly out of place on an album full of great “happier” songs. They simply do not fit in with the rest of the album. On the positive side, though, the addition of guest musician, Mike Stern adds another wonderful level to the album. Far too often, guitars are used in jazz, and ruin otherwise worthwhile records. But every now and then, as in this release, a guitar’s addition to the band makes the songs complete. Stern does not try to stand out from one song to the next. Rather, he merely accompanies the band, adding his own element to the overall being of each song.
Another surprise in this record comes in “Claire’s Closet.” It is a great song. But it is not your typical jazz. It sounds more like something that belongs in a movie soundtrack about some family living out on a farm. That is thanks to the addition of both a clarinet, and a bass clarinet to the mix. Yes, the Yellowjackets have gone out and done something different on yet another album again. That is what makes this band so enjoyable, and has for so many years. The band has made an effort to reinvent itself from one record to the next, giving fans something new every time.
That reinvention is the key to what will keep the Yellowjackets among the elite of jazz musicians, and musicians in general for decades to come. Jazz, as a genre may go in different directions in the decades to come, but regardless, albums such as this new one from the Yellowjackets will remain as examples of everything that is right with jazz. Perhaps one day it will be used to teach a whole new generation of musicians the joy of music, and of jazz.
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