Musically Speaking
Yardbirds Keep Things Rollin'
By Mary Peterson
Jul 1, 2003 - 11:15:00 PM

The House of Blues on Sunset. Photo by Jessica Griffiths.

WEST HOLLYWOOD—The Yardbirds concert at the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip proved that the band is more than a modern version of the classic Yardbirds. From their rendition of "I'm Not Talking," which raised the temperature of the room about 20 degrees, to the encore, in which the band assembled such guest artists as guitar god Steve Vai on "Smokestack Lightning" and was dedicated to blues musicians everywhere, the Yardbirds delivered a powerful, guitar-driven show. The band that launched many careers has a new sound and a new CD.

The Yardbirds consists of original members Jim McCarty and Chris Dreja with Gypie Mayo, John Idan and Alan Glen. These talented musicians combine to bring new life to such Yardbird favorites as "Over Under Sideways Down," "The Nazz Are Blue" and "Shapes Of Things." Highlights of the show were a mesmerizing "Dazed and Confused" and "Train Kept A Rollin." One song,"For Your Love," was identified as first performed at a Beatles Christmas show in 1964. The legacy continued with "Ain't Got You," "Heart Full Of Soul," and "Mr., You're A Better Man Than I." The Yardbirds will continue to perform live shows through the summer to promote their new CD, "Birdland," which contains both new and classic material.