Once again, the Yellowjackets hit off another fantastic concert at Strong auditorium last Saturday, Feb. 3, with their Midwinter 2007 concert. The show was centered around a James Bond theme, beginning with a medley of Bond theme songs.
Members of the Yellowjackets ran on stage in succession wearing tuxedo shirts under their yellow jackets. Junior Adam Weis came in last wearing a full tuxedo and pointing a gun at the audience.
The show touched on all different musical genres. It included songs from various Bond movies, including Golden Eye, Dashboard Confessional and Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama.”
“Hip to be Square” by Huey Lewis featured sexy classic dance moves, and “I Want it That Way” by the Backstreet Boys induced giddy, girly squeals.
“I was pretty happy with [the concert],” current Musical Director of the Yellowjackets and junior Corey Krafte said. “It was definitely one of the best concerts we’ve had in a while.”
Two especially notable singers were sophomores Steve Kim and John Greenhalgh. Kim’s stunning and powerful “All Messed Up” by Breaking Point almost made my friends want to hold hands.
Greenhalgh and Krafte’s impressive country twang in Big and Rich’s “Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy” had the girls in the audience hollering.
“The concert was so much fun, despite trudging through the terrible snow,” freshman Kathryn Harper said. “I was glad to come out and see them.”
Hearsay, an all-female a cappella choir from Cornell, also made an appearance at the concert. Highlights included an amusing rendition of “Teenage Dirtbag,” by Wheatus, as well as other songs, including “Collide,” by Howie Day.
The Yellowjackets, founded in 1956, are one of the oldest a cappella groups in the nation. They have an impressive reputation, having performed in the White House, at Disney World, the Tonight Show and for professional sports teams.
Their repertoire has made it on Best of College A Cappella CD compilations, and the group has recorded an astounding 14 CDs. Last semester, they presented an alumni concert that attracted over 100 members and was a big hit.
“Now that we’re done celebrating our 50th anniversary, we’re definitely prepared to step it up for the student body in the future,” Krafte said.
The Yellowjackets are eagerly anticipating their 14th album, as well as a very intriguing senior show set for this spring. They are also excited for a possible tour next year.
At any rate, the Midwinter show was a tremendous hit and left the crowd cheering for more. Upcoming appearances from the Yellowjackets include Wilson Commons Wednesday on Feb. 14 as well as Wake Up in Wilson on Feb. 28. Don’t forget to check out their new CD when it comes out!
Miller is a member of the class of 2010
