So, it's the Summer of '82, which I've mentioned in a previous post; it's hot, I'm studying my ass off because I decided to take a full semester's worth of courses (like an idiot) instead of kicking back and partying - like everyone else I knew was doing. I had this room set up where my stereo was; a rack full of components, the large floor standing speakers (remember when bigger was better?), 4 peach crates which not only held my albums but by placing a sheet of plexiglas on top of, doubled as a coffee table, 2 small love-seat type couches and my desk - this is where I spent the majority of my time in the Summer of 1982. I'd go to class, study, drink scotch and most importantly cruise the record stores for that special fix - The New Release! Yeah, I had a girlfriend (with all the benefits), so don't get the impression that I was a nerd or anything; but one thing I recognized early on; no matter what, the music will always be there! I picked up a lot of great music that summer, but there are three memories that stick out in my mind the most; Pat Metheny's Offramp, the Yellowjackets debut effort and this incredible kick-ass beauty that was in my Econometrics class. I had been turned on to the Pat Metheny Group my freshman year at Syracuse University by a friend from Chicago, prior to going to college, my musical education lacked any reference to my future passion - Jazz. I was pretty excited to come across a new PMG recording that summer, since the two prior Metheny LP's I had picked up, 80/81 and As Falls Wichita...., were a bit of a departure for me - after all, I was still somewhat in the formative stage of my life's future mission. I'm not sure what it is about Offramp, as strong and diverse as the other PMG recordings are, both prior and since this release - this is the one I keep pulling off the shelf to listen to. It could be due to 'Eighteen' which I still rock-out to, or the fact that the 'Group' was in a transitional phase with Steve Rodby having replaced Mark Egan and Gottlieb still on hand for one last time, maybe it was the 'taste' of things to come with the track 'Offramp' telegraphing the direction that Metheny would take on Song X or even the fact that going forward, the PMG would delve into all things Brazilian ( OR MAYBE it was drinking scotch while cranking 'Eighteen' and thinking about that blonde from class!); all I know is, any album that includes 'Are You going With Me', 'Eighteen' and 'James' can't be all that bad!
I'm not sure where I came across it, but there was a promo from Warner Bros. for a 45 with PMG on one side and the Yellowjackets on the other; something about the fact that they had been digitally recorded, so I sent away for it. I had never heard of the Jackets, although I recognized Russ Ferrante from other recordings that I had, and of course, I knew about Ernie Watts; the Robben Ford connection meant nothing to me at the time. This was the second great memory of the Summer of '82. The impact that these guys had on me, to this day, is the closest any group, since Spyro Gyra has had on The Soundtrack Of My Life. In retrospect, while not necessarily their strongest release, this album set the stage for an extremely talented core group (Ferrante & Haslip) of musicians with the courage to compose and perform music that they knew would never get airplay; whether on a 'smooth jazz' station, or one which catered to 'traditional straight-ahead' jazz (i.e. neo-conservative, skinny tie and 3-button suit, technically proficient but lacking of any emotion, backwards looking and devoid of absolutely any new ideas, with a propensity to be a follower not a leader). Over the years, the Yellowjackets have upgraded talent (Bob Mintzer) and have taken a decidedly fusionistic approach; where there once was a number of artists and groups playing in that sandbox, such as Miles, Return To Forever, Mahavishnu, Passport, Steps Ahead, Weather Report, Zawinul Syndicate- today, few still bring their bucket and shovel to work with them. If anything, the Yellowjackets seem to have moved closer to that realm with each subsequent release, even before Mark Russo who was more R&B orientated left the group to be replaced by Bob Mintzer and his bop background. I know that in my writings I reference Spyro Gyra quite a bit, and with good reason, but these two groups while taking totally different compositional roads, remind me so much of one another; group chemistry & cohesiveness, lack of member turnover, a propensity for original compositions and the encouragement of group members to compose and contribute, neither group has ever courted radio, and longevity - I could go on, but I think you've got my point. Yes - I am a fan, there is no doubt; and it was during this summer, when I sweated my ass off, studying, that I first became aware of the Yellowjackets, and have followed ever since, looking forward to each new release, the way a little kid looks forward to Christmas Day; some would say it's sad, but my answer to that is that there are far worse addictions than The Soundtrack Of My Life. Over the years, I've only seen Pat Metheny twice, the first time in support of the Parallel Realities recording he did with Jack Dejohnette, Dave Holland and Herbie Hancock at Artpark in Lewiston, NY and in Syracuse, NY in 2002 when he was on tour to support Speaking Of Now. The Yellowjackets are a different story, next to Spyro Gyra, I've seen these guys more than any other group or artist. I'm not even sure how many times I've seen them, but the first time was in 1985 in LaJolla, CA at the art museum, after they had released Samurai Samba and the last time was in 2001 at Glenora Wine cellars in Dundee, NY overlooking Seneca Lake, in support of their independent release, Mint Jam.
So, these two releases, along with a number of others, that might make their way onto this blog, got me through the Summer of 1982. At the time, it seemed like a good idea, and more importantly the right and responsible thing to do; accelerate my education, pile up the credits, graduate early and put myself in a position to be competitively advantaged to start making money - I had it all figured out, or so I thought. Over the years since that Summer of 1982, there have been two constants in my life; change and The Soundtrack Of My Life. Although priorities and reality may have intersected, bisected or changed, The Soundtrack Of My Life has evolved, expanded and improved! Now, about that third significant memory of the Summer of '82, that Blonde in my class; actually we shared a class in both sessions that summer. Can't remember her name, but she was something; pretty, smart (after all, these were 400 level courses!), shapely (mostly wore skirts and the buttons on her blouses always had a way of becoming undone) and shy, although she got over that once we made nice to each other. Unfortunately, I was in a relationship and had made the decision not to pursue this friendship - again, doing what seemed like the right thing at the time. Although I tend not to 'cry over spilled milk' and pride myself on my ability to make decisions and stand by them, occasionally, every now and then I'll revisit certain memories and ask myself 'why'; no use in belaboring the point, other than to say, this is The Soundtrack Of My Life.
Listen to 'Priscilla' from the Yellowjackets and Pat Metheny's 'Eighteen'
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