The
YardbirdsHarlesden Mean Fiddler
21st February 1999
Confusion seems to be the Yardbirds middle name, it was true 35 years ago and is still true now. One glance at their back-catalogue shows what a total mess their legacy is.
Out of all the 60's British R&B bands, two names reign supreme - The Rolling Stones and the Yardbirds. The Stones went onto 35 years of un-remitting success. The Yardbirds to unfulfilled promise. Responsible for focussing the limelight on three of the most acclaimed British guitarists ever in Clapton, Beck and Page, a string of magnificent singles and then being subjected to worst excesses of Mickey Most before falling to pieces.
A variety of projects including Medicine Head, Illusion and Renaissance followed. Keith Relf unfortunately died from electrocution in 1976. Then in 1984, Dreja, McCarty and Paul Samwell-Smith were reunited in the under-rated Box of Frogs.
1999 brings us to the Mean Fiddler with Dreja and McCarty accompanied by the vibrantly energetic Gypo Mayo from Dr Feelgood and John Idan from the US. Also raiding Nine Below Zeros' larder again after stealing the excellent Mark Feltham for the "Box of Frogs" first album, is the highly accomplished Alan Glen.
The confusion however still reigns, there is no doubt that "Got love if you want it", "Five long years" and "I'm Not Talking" are fine songs - but done to death springs to mind. Personally I thought they could have dumped the covers and introduced more Box Of Frogs material. As well as "Back Where I Started" which they did play, they could have easily been plundered "Two Steps Ahead", "Poor Boy" and "House On Fire". This was without even starting on "Over, Under, Sideways, Down, "Mr You're A Better Man" or their stonking version of Billy Boy Arnolds' "I Wish You Would". They could simply go wall to wall with classic tracks.
They did however roll out the Gouldman trilogy of hits "Evil-Hearted You", "Shapes of Things" and "For you Love" as well as the self-written "Still I'm Sad". A sterling version "Train Kept a Rollin'" and the inevitable thundering version of "Smokestack Lightning". Never did I think I would hear the Yardbirds playing "Happening Ten Years Time Ago" (how many guitarists would try to play Pages' and Becks' lines at the same time) and "Dazed and Confused" - yep that was a Yardbirds song too!
The Yardbirds despite not making the most of their material are at their most cogent and rehearsed that they have ever been. Gypo Mayo in particular and Alan Glen are vital additions to this line-up and are essential when they head for a floor-busting rave-up like "Smokestack Lightning".
More power to Peter Feenstra and the Mean Fiddler for promoting British Blues and ensuring that the "old-timers" can still put on a good show.
As I walked away, I admit I felt a bit rueful as to where the next generation of British Blues players will be coming from though.
Set List Included - Got Love If You Want it / I'm Not Talkin / Train Kept' A Rollin' / Five Long Years / Out Of The Dark / Shapes Of Things / Happening Ten Years Time Ago / Back Where I Started / Wrack My Brain / For Your Love / Still I'm Sad / Dazed and Confused / Evil Hearted You / Smokestack Lightning.
Band Line-up - Chris Dreja - Rhythm Guitar and Percusion / Jim McCarty Vocals and Drums / Alan Glen - Harp and Percussion / Gypie Mayo - Guitar / "Detroit" John Idan - Bass and Vocals.
Support: Vance Kelly / Joan Baby (USA).
Paul Bradbeer