Chicago Blues Jam - 1991 - Pretty Things/Yardbirds Blues Band (The)

Advantages: Hearing what then were the guitar legends of the future
Disadvantages: None

...The band to start all bands...This album contains the best from the Yardbirds throughout time including tracks with Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck when they were with the band. The songs which stand out are ultimately FOR YOUR LOVE, HEART FULL OF SOUL, EVIL HEARTED YOU, SHAPES OF THINGS, THE TRAIN KEPT A-ROLLIN', AIN'T GOT YOU AND SMOKESTACK LIGHTNING but loads more are included on this double album set. Many bands have been influenced by this British Premier R&B rock band yet they covered their fair share of great artists themselves. Blues legend tracks - John Lee Hooker's BOOM BOOM and Jimmy Reed's BABY WHATS WRONG are also included. This is a great way to hear what ultimately is the best of the Yardbirds.... Read review

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Advantages: Led Zeppelin Music
Disadvantages: When do you listen to other Zepp albums ?

....’ For this album the song was lengthened to include the violin bow parts and Plant’s vocal excursions, while Jones and Bonzo played rhythmic answerback games on the bass and drums leading to the manic part that starts the second half of the track. Track 5 – Your Time is Gonna Come – starts with the ‘church organist’ introduction from Jones only to develop into a song with the ‘hick’ feel of the Ozarks and the great anthem-esque hook that fades into the next track. Track 6 – Black Mountain Side – an acoustic guitar instrumental, acts as a respite from the more energetic tracks like the anthem that is Track 7 – Communication Breakdown - based on a simple guitar riff with impressive vocal power and agility from Plant. Track 8 – I Can’t Quit You Baby – a great Willie Dixon blues where the band just seem to kick back and simply enjoy the jam style... Read review

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Advantages: A comprehensive history of one of the greatest guitarists of all time
Disadvantages: Hi Ho Silver Lining

...Jeff Beck is one of the most important guitarists of the sixties, and still making excellent music today. He was in the Yardbirds along with Clapton and Page and his work was only eclipsed by the brilliance of Hendrix. This is a brilliantly compiled three CD set which contains a sixty four page booklet with track information and personel listings, as well as "the Jeff Beck story" by Gene Santoro, and a complete (but eye strainingly small) band family tree. The compilation is arranged chronologically. The first disc kicks of with his work with Tridents, followed by fifteen Yardbirds songs including "Shapes of Things", "Over Under Sideways Down" and "Happenings Ten Years Time Time Ago" as well as various blues standards and variousslices of pscychedelia. These are followed by fpour tracks live at the BBC which are standard R'n'B workouts... Read review

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