LIVE AT THE BBC

BBC SESSIONS covers a three-year period from March 20, 1965 to March 16, 1968. Also includes previously unreleased interviews with the band members including Jimmy Page. The Yardbirds: Keith Relf (vocals, harmonica); Chris Dreja (guitar, bass); Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page (guitar); Paul Samwell-Smith (bass); Jim McCarty (drums). Includes liner notes by Ira Robbins. Digitally remastered by Chris Herles (Polygram Studios, Edison, New Jersey). Recorded between 1965 and 1968. The Yardbirds include: Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page (guitar). Between 1965 and 1968, the Yardbirds went from a group that slavishly imitated Chicago blues to more of a psychedelic pop act, virtually inventing the heavy rock guitar style along the way. These BBC recordings document that journey. Having replaced the recently departed blues purist Eric Clapton with the more adventurous Jeff Beck, the Yardbirds produced more daring experimental compositions, like the electric sitar rave-up "Over Under Sideways Down" and the Gregorian chant-driven "Still I'm Sad" that evolved from jamming to "Rock Around The Clock." Making the most of Beck's playing and Keith Relf's nasal singing and wailing harp, the band honored their roots with covers ranging from Mose Allison's "I'm Not Talking" to Chuck Berry's "Too Much Monkey Business" and Elmore James' "Dust My Broom". By the time Jimmy Page replaced Jeff Beck and bassist Paul Samwell-Smith left the band, the Yardbirds bluesier elements were greatly reduced. The last six songs on this collection reflect this shift, particularly on the original composition "Think About It," pointing towards the heavier sound Page would use after the Yardbirds became Led Zeppelin.