The Yardbirds are fantastic in performance. For those fortunate enough to catch the band live, a Yardbirds concert is both intense and entertaining. The group have been toiling on the tour circuit to boost their media profile since releasing an outstanding reunion album Birdland in 2003. That disc ended a 36 year hiatus for the British Invasion veterans since 1967's Little Games.
Continuing in the tradition of their reputation, The Yardbirds have undergone further personnel changes since founding members guitarist Chris Dreja and drummer Jim McCarty jump-started the band in 1992. When mentioning The Yardbirds are on tour, this statement provokes curiosity and amazement. Yes, The Yardbirds are touring and they have two new albums out, one studio and one live.
For the record, members formed a reunion group during the 1980s and released two studio albums in 1984 and 1986, calling themselves Box Of Frogs. Those recordings featured both Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page as guest Frogs guitarists. The Yardbirds of yesteryear were exhumed on BBC Sessions issued in 1997, which contains appearances by Beck and Page but none by Eric Clapton or Top Topham.
The Yardbirds were on fire on stage in Rockville, Maryland, appearing at the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center Friday night on May 21, 2010. It was only their second night on this tour and not to be missed. The concert showcased four modern tracks from their 2003 studio album alongside the familiar hits and musical history associated with The Yardbirds' career.
Lead guitarist Ben King, vocalist Andy Mitchell and bassist David Smale constitute three/fifths of the musical equation propelling The Yardbirds in performance. Dreja and McCarty have assembled an excellent group of young musicians delivering the level of quality musicianship established by The Yardbirds beginning all the way back in 1963.
The incendiary quintet romped and stomped through its catalogue of British blues, psychedelic rock, and popular singles. Mitchell is a fine vocalist who admittedly is still learning his trade on the harmonica. The exceptional King has handled lead guitar chores for five years now. Smale along with Mitchell is a new addition having joined up as bassist on the 2009 tour.
The Yardbirds are survivors and deservedly so. The brand is renown for launching the infamous careers of three exceedingly influential British lead guitarists. Together, Dreja and McCarty are responsible for bringing The Yardbirds institution to new audiences and younger generations out on tour. The Yardbirds in concert is a celebration of their past, their present and their future as distinctly British Blues ambassadors.
Rockville setlist: Train Kept A Rollin' * Please Don't Tell Me `Bout The News * Heart Full Of Soul * My Blind Life * The Nazz Are Blue * Mystery Of Being * I'm Not Talking * Think About It * Mister, You're A Better Man Than I * Shapes Of Things * Crying Out For Love * Wrack My Mind * Over Under Sideways Down * Smokestack Lightning * Still I'm Sad * Little Games * For Your Love * Happenings Ten Years Time Ago * Dazed And Confused * I'm A Man
RockonTour Issue #105
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