Out of everything that Keith Relf, Chris Dreja, Paul Samwell-Smith and Jim McCarty ever did together, no matter how much I love their brutal rave-up take of I’m A Man, or their own glorious Shapes Of Things (recorded by Deep Purple) and super epic Still I’m Sad (recorded by Rainbow not once, but twice), in terms of music history, they hired in fast succession three guitar players, who changed the way rock guitar is played. (The only other person who can boast a similar eye for mercurial talent would be John Mayall.)
We can and have discussed one lead balloon group, and I think there’s a word or three to be said about Slowhand, but the one Yardbirds’ “spin-off thing” that cemented this was the aptly-named 1999 album Who Else? by Jeff Beck, on which he asserted dominance in a way that has not been duplicated before or since (and sadly, he is no longer with us to top that moment either). Along with Blow by Blow, it’s the stuff of legend, no less because there is almost a quarter of a century of rapid, uncontrolled change in the discipline in between.
Many players go backwards in a way or another in 25 years - including our Man in Black - but at least until 2010’s Emotion and Commotion Jeff had only one direction, forward.
(Feel free to include everything from Renaissance and Derek and the Dominoes on this thread.)
Among all the great 60s Brit bands - Beatles, Stones, Who, Kinks, Hollies, Pretty Things, Moody Blues, Cream, Peter Green era Fleetwood Mac, even The Bee Gees (from the colonies, ok) - the Yardbirds impressed me the least, sorry. A platform for three talented guitarists in sequence, yes, but dragged down by an uncharismatic singer and less than excellent songwriting craft.
I completely agree that Yardbirds were dragged down by their songwriting or lack of. It’s not a 45 rpm problem, most of the singles are great - but they never got to take the time to become much of an album band. The same bothers me with The Animals (which you didn’t list either, and I’m guessing the omission is deliberate, as they share many characteristics as groups).
But: take a “greatest hits” type package from either, and it stands its ground against any similar collection by any of their rivals.
The Yardbirds, hmmmmmmmm. Mostly known for the three guitarist they had and a song or two that were hits. Not as Uwe rightly said, known for their lack of songwriting craft. Ironic that Jeff Beck emerged from that cocoon, as he is a fine guitarist as we all know, however he ain’t a composer as such ole Jeff. Asa youngster I purchased the Yardbird albums, but man was I disappointed. Not to worry, we live and learn. I did buy that debut Box of Frogs album in the 80’s. Three ex members of the Yardbirds as such and I do remember enjoying it at that time. Medicine Head’s John Fiddler on vocals was an additional member and there were other musicians guesting if my memory serves me well. Rory Gallagher, Jeff Beck and Max Middleton to name a few. Cheers.
The Box of Frogs song Back Where I Started sounds a lot like Golden Earring, that early 80’s Earring, the Cut album that I owned. Been a long time since I have heard this BOF music. Gee the next song sounds like the Stones from that era ha ha ha. That was the only time I ever owned a Stones album, Tattoo You. The things you do in your youth. It was party time after all, at least I can blame my indiscretions on that, surely. Yikes, electronic percussion, eh gads…the 80’s…Save me! Cheers.
John Steel is still playing drums ad touring as “Animals and Friends”, being the only original member left (not entirely, but substantially unlike one Deep Purple ) - and at 85 years, he does set an example that is not replicated by many (but does give hope).
Relf probably was more prone to adapting his voice - Burdon you could definitely recognize every time.
I had never heard of Box Of Frogs, so I had to check them out. At least the first album sounds very much of its time, and while it’s enjoyable, there is no immediate wow-effect present (not that it would be expected). Very decent, slick and 1984, all of which can be seen as positive qualities, but ones with limitations. Especially when contrasted with what they did on 45 rpms 20 years before…
, Eric Burdon had loads of charisma and his voice could fill a room.
) - and at 85 years, he does set an example that is not replicated by many (but does give hope).