Twenty Five [CD & DVD] by Yellowjackets (CD, May-2006, Heads Up Records)

I'm not one for buying anyone's greatest hits, or compilations. If love their creativity you already have to create your own. However, there always exceptions to the rules when it comes to milestones. I brought the CD out of love of the groups music first and loyalty second. I have follow the YellowJackets for years since 1986 and couldn't resist not having it in my collection. Musically it is as always with the YellowJacket their skills don't falter. Since the change of drummers I've been more critical in a little less awe struck. I think my resistance to change is long gone and it's time to move on.

This CD/DVD did allow me to listen to the group beyond what I had known them to be prior to Mint Jam. I like this CD because Russell, Jimmy, Bob nor Mark did not give me the same thing, in the same style, as I had heard it before. Take "Geraldine" or "Greenhouse" the arrangements of those two pieces are just so good in giving two outstanding tune with a new twist. Russell is definitely in the zone on them, well Russell is always in the zone. I know I will listen to this CD again & again to rediscover the music as if I heard it for the first time. That's not just for this CD but the entire collection of their music.

My one disappointment is the small amount of tune selected for a 25th anniversary CD/DVD. It very well could have been a deeper in the selections with other prior members and guess musicians.

In my personal rating I had given the CD 3.7, honestly I expected so some much more and got above average. Nevertheless, I think the chemistry is finally there for the four of them and I look forward to their next release.

It's a long overdue project for the yellowjackets to at least have some form of retail video available for the fans, but it's here. The CD is not bad, but the DVD has the real action. The extra footage with interviews, early footage of the previous lineups, and discographies make the DVD a bargin for the package. The CD and DVD have different song lineups, but share tunes like "Greenhouse" and "Sea Folk". I think the the CD is decent, but the DVD is the truth.

while the sound quality is execellent the video accompanying the audio is less than stellar..this was shot in Italy...however as an ardent Yellowjackets fan I still believe this cd/dvd combination is an excellent find and well worth owning

I got this along with tickets for the yellowjackets concert in April '07 for my fiance for sweetest day....he used to love the yellowjackets back in the day and was a little surprised and a little unimpressed with the new stuff. We are still looking forward to the concert as it is a weekend away with entertainment...