Robben Ford Discussion

Funkifized · Member Joined: 24 Oct 2003 Posts: 13

I remember reading somewhere many years ago that the Yellowjackets had originally been put together to be the back-up band for Al Jarreau, but I can't find any hint of this online. Anyone know anything about this?

AlChuck · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 12:09 pm Post subject:

My understanding was that they were put together as a backup band for Robben's first release...

PierreL · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 11:50 pm Post subject:

They were featured on the Casino Lights CD, I'm not 100% sure but they were backing Al Jarreau on that CD I think. Maybe that's why. I'll check the CD back home.

henkholland · Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 11:45 am Post subject:

Regarding this subject: here's a download for an interesting video on DVD. Al Jarreau and the Yellow Jackets in Montreux 1981.
http://www.demonoid.com/files/details/2146799/6976998/

AlChuck · Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 1:18 pm Post subject:

PierreL · Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 12:38 am Post subject:

That's quite possible, I haven't checked the liner notes of my CD.

roadwarriorfortheblues · Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 6:48 am Post subject:

It was Randy Crawford who was accompanied by the Yellowjackets on the Casino Lights recording.
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kurt1981 · Member Joined: 17 Jun 2007 Posts: 21

Hate to nitpick, but the yellowjackets didn't back any of the artists on that CD, they did two tunes of their own, the rest was Buzz Feiten and Neal Larsen and their band. I did hear the yellowjackets did a bit of work with Al, but don't think they did too much. He was working with Jay Graydon at that point too.

Phil T · Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 2:57 pm Post subject:

the Casino Lights recording has long been a favorite of mine mostly for the playing of Robben and the Yellowjackets. Bought the vinyl when it first came out and much later the CD when it became available. From the credits on the CD the first three songs are Crawford w/Jarreau backed by Larsen, Feiten, Ricky Lawson (Jackets drummer at that time) and some others with a guitar solo credit to Larry Carlton on song 1.

Song 4 is a great version of John Lennon's Imagine credited as Crawford "accompanied by YELLOWJACKETS" with a fabulous guitar solo so obviously Robben Ford.

There are 2 more songs by the Yellowjackets (the legendary Monmouth College Fight Song and Tee Time For Eric). Also Carlton does Last Night backed by the Yellowjacktes without Robben.
Just wanted to clear that up some.

P.S. The Yellowjackets (or some form of a band with Robben on guitar) toured as Randy Crawford's band (possibly only Europe) sometime around the same year as the Casino Lights event.

PierreL · Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 2:59 pm Post subject:

Roadwarrior is right, I have the CD liner notes under my eyes, it says Randy Crawford accompanied by the Yellowjackets on Imagine.

PierreL · Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 2:59 pm Post subject:

Opps you got me by 2 minutes Smile