I always thought that The Yardbirds were the most important and influential band of their time, even though this time really lasted for only few months. However, it WAS so and this album proves it really well. Fantastic songs and probably first ever in rock music introduction to the wonderful world of guitar rave-ups. Unlike so many other double “American-English” British Invasion LPs (99% of these really have only historical significance, even in case of first rate bands), this one is a must in every collection.
And as for The Kinks — even as a die-hard Kinks fan (I mean, I seriously consider them as the best band of the decade, and only The Velvets probably can top them in my list) I have to admit that they was not THAT high in the same era. “Kontroversy” already showed their greatness and maturity, but their first really great album was still yet to come.
I'm still fascinated by The Magnificient Seven. Couldn't get the Having a Rave Up LP so I ended up getting a really good compilation (https://www.discogs.com/release/2475969-The-Yardbirds-Greatest-Hits-Volume-One-1964-1966) with all the masterpieces here plus those few Clapton Classics (Ain't Got You!). Really a ride this early Yardbirds Beck stuff, I'd add the Bolero here and I'd be thoroughly happy. That Boney M cover! now that's a surprise. I couldn't imagine any commercial artist doing this these days (Taylor Swift would benefit from a surprise really). Maybe they're in for reassessment like ABBA or.. Erasure?
I wouldn't go that far with Boney M, but they were certainly smarter and more talented (well, Farian probably was) than people usually give them credit for. Quite a few surprises if one digs deep into their discography.
In comparison with the heroes of current Top 40 Mainstream Pop Chart, Boney M. Is something like W. A. Mozart and Joseph Haydn altogether. Though, of course, it isn’t so in reality and they weren’t even the best disco group of the era, they’re quite a decent pop band with some pretty good stuff.
I love some disco, by the way. Everyone is raving about the genius of “I Feel Love” (and deservingly so), however, there was some other very good stuff, too. I love Cerrone, he really was something special. Far from rock music, but who really cares…
Dismembered torso or not, it's still the single collection of songs from that era that most boggles the mind today in the dreary 21st century. The Yardbirs sadly never got their due, and your review does a lot to correct that. They were a passing meteor of brilliance, the likes of which we'll probably never again witness.
Good counterexample, but it's difficult to compare an entire side of acoustic singer-songwriter folk with a bunch of electric pop songs. If you took the electric Side A of the album, the comparison clearly wouldn't be in Bob's favor. But even if you insisted, I think it's fairly obvious that the stylistic span and musical complexity of the Yardbirds' singles would override the musical content of Bob's four ballads, if not their emotional/spiritual depth. I mean, each of those four songs makes its musical point over the first verse and then just stretches out ad infinitum. The Yardbirds would still win in terms of quantity and diversity of ideas!
Well they might make their musical point quickly, but I think the combination of the vocals, charisma, and lyrics add more and more layers and nuances to it after the musical foundation has been established. That’s why it would be my top pick, mainly because I value spiritual depth above just the quantity of cool ideas. But still, I think the first side is immaculate and astonishing, and I’ve been a fan of Have A Rave Up for a while because of the fantastic first side (and also because the B side picks some of the best parts of their live stuff, especially their renditions of Here Tis and Smokestack Lightning).
But overall still, loved the review. Even if you’ve now reviewed this for the third time, you still have found new things to say about it! Speaks to both the music’s greatness and also your sharpness as a reviewer
Thanks for the superb discussion. Love the Yardbirds.
I always thought that The Yardbirds were the most important and influential band of their time, even though this time really lasted for only few months. However, it WAS so and this album proves it really well. Fantastic songs and probably first ever in rock music introduction to the wonderful world of guitar rave-ups. Unlike so many other double “American-English” British Invasion LPs (99% of these really have only historical significance, even in case of first rate bands), this one is a must in every collection.
And as for The Kinks — even as a die-hard Kinks fan (I mean, I seriously consider them as the best band of the decade, and only The Velvets probably can top them in my list) I have to admit that they was not THAT high in the same era. “Kontroversy” already showed their greatness and maturity, but their first really great album was still yet to come.
I'm still fascinated by The Magnificient Seven. Couldn't get the Having a Rave Up LP so I ended up getting a really good compilation (https://www.discogs.com/release/2475969-The-Yardbirds-Greatest-Hits-Volume-One-1964-1966) with all the masterpieces here plus those few Clapton Classics (Ain't Got You!). Really a ride this early Yardbirds Beck stuff, I'd add the Bolero here and I'd be thoroughly happy. That Boney M cover! now that's a surprise. I couldn't imagine any commercial artist doing this these days (Taylor Swift would benefit from a surprise really). Maybe they're in for reassessment like ABBA or.. Erasure?
I wouldn't go that far with Boney M, but they were certainly smarter and more talented (well, Farian probably was) than people usually give them credit for. Quite a few surprises if one digs deep into their discography.
In comparison with the heroes of current Top 40 Mainstream Pop Chart, Boney M. Is something like W. A. Mozart and Joseph Haydn altogether. Though, of course, it isn’t so in reality and they weren’t even the best disco group of the era, they’re quite a decent pop band with some pretty good stuff.
I love some disco, by the way. Everyone is raving about the genius of “I Feel Love” (and deservingly so), however, there was some other very good stuff, too. I love Cerrone, he really was something special. Far from rock music, but who really cares…
I definitely will, I like such little surprises! And Pop decently done is a genre with a lot of possibilities.
Dismembered torso or not, it's still the single collection of songs from that era that most boggles the mind today in the dreary 21st century. The Yardbirs sadly never got their due, and your review does a lot to correct that. They were a passing meteor of brilliance, the likes of which we'll probably never again witness.
Correction: should have written comet, not meteor.
Really great review, lots of interesting insights.
“sixth perfect song out of six perfect songs to complete Side A of Having A Rave-Up, easily the single most perfect LP side of 1965”
Quite the high praise considering Bringing It All Back Home’s B-Side! Do you find it superior to even that side? That would be my top side of 1965
Good counterexample, but it's difficult to compare an entire side of acoustic singer-songwriter folk with a bunch of electric pop songs. If you took the electric Side A of the album, the comparison clearly wouldn't be in Bob's favor. But even if you insisted, I think it's fairly obvious that the stylistic span and musical complexity of the Yardbirds' singles would override the musical content of Bob's four ballads, if not their emotional/spiritual depth. I mean, each of those four songs makes its musical point over the first verse and then just stretches out ad infinitum. The Yardbirds would still win in terms of quantity and diversity of ideas!
Well they might make their musical point quickly, but I think the combination of the vocals, charisma, and lyrics add more and more layers and nuances to it after the musical foundation has been established. That’s why it would be my top pick, mainly because I value spiritual depth above just the quantity of cool ideas. But still, I think the first side is immaculate and astonishing, and I’ve been a fan of Have A Rave Up for a while because of the fantastic first side (and also because the B side picks some of the best parts of their live stuff, especially their renditions of Here Tis and Smokestack Lightning).
But overall still, loved the review. Even if you’ve now reviewed this for the third time, you still have found new things to say about it! Speaks to both the music’s greatness and also your sharpness as a reviewer