Tonight it was The Yardbirds; still going, still with two original members in Jim McCarty on drums and vocals and Chris Dreja on rhythm guitar and vocals. The newer members came in the person of Gypie Mayo on lead guitar and backing vocals, Alan Glen on harmonica, percussion and backing vocals and John Idan on bass guitar and vocals.
There was no fuss tonight; they got straight into the set and showed the quality and professionalism that you would expect from a band with such history and pedigree. Few gimmicks in the form of effects pedals etc. were needed (which by today's standards is quite surprising), as they relied mainly on their own skills and talents to perform such classics as, 'Over Under Sideways Down', 'Heart Full Of Soul', 'For your Love', 'Happenings 10 Years Time Ago' and my own favourite, 'Still I'm Sad'.
The old songs were cleverly interspersed with some fine new material, some slower bluesy stuff and a medley which included a reworking of the Led Zepp classic, 'Dazed And Confused'. Many of the older numbers were slightly revamped but amazingly managed to retain that 60's/70's feel without being at all "old hat". Even without the modern electronics available nowadays, they still managed to produce that beautiful eastern sound that they were so well known for.
Visually, they still had a slight 60's feel with Gypie looking uncannily like a young Eric Clapton and was that really John Idan who took most of the lead vocal or was it a young, Keith Relf reincarnate with darker hair taking most of the lead vocals?
The first set showed that good bands can play live music without breaking the sound barrier with unneeded decibel levels; as the set progressed the volume tended to slowly rise without ever becoming excessive - what a delight! They had the audience rocking to the extent that the night finished with people dancing!! Is that supposed to happen at an R&B/Blues gig? Excellent!! Let's have some more!
I feel I have to draw attention to the billboard outside (which The Yardbirds themselves commented on and asked for a photo of), composed by bar manager Tankpuss:-
"In keeping with the house rules of No Tribute Bands yes it is The Real Yardbirds, well minus Eric Clapton who is now replaced by the excellent Gypie Mayo who spent some time with Doctor Feelgood and as if that isn't enough Alan Glen, previously a member of the highly acclaimed R'n'B band Nine Below Zero plays harmonica and percussion as well as doing backing vocals.
So folks if you can remember them from the first time around, guess you can leave your I.D. at home!!"
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