The Yardbirds Celebrate 50th Anniversary with 'Making Tracks'

By Alan Gray, NewsBlaze  

It was the 1960s, the time of the British Blues Boom, and the legendary rock pioneers "The Yardbirds" took standard 12-bar blues, doubled the tempo, kicked up the amps, and carved out the mold for modern hard rock.

The Yardbirds were an integral part of that time - I know, because I was there! They played with, and introduced some of the greatest guitarists - Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, and Jeff Beck. Yardbirds tracks grabbed you by the heart and ears and made you listen, unmistakable sounds that you couldn't ignore, hits like "Train Kept Rollin'," "For Your Love" and "I'm A Man."

Making Tracks

It is hard to believe, but it is coming up to the band's 50th Anniversary in 2013, abnd they are releasing a two DVD tour set, called "Making Tracks," available in a few weeks, on December 11.

Yardbirds "Making Tracks" On tour, 2010-2012

Taken from multiple concert dates over the past two years, "Making Tracks" was produced and directed by Bruce Macomber, McCarty and Yardbirds guitarist Ben King for Reel Time Productions.

The DVD set features 32 track audio recordings, with video by six HD cameras. The first Disc has 15 songs, with classic and new material. Some of the footage on this disc was captured at B.B. King's in NYC. Guitar World Magazine called it the "best concert of the year." The second Disc features "Glimpses," a tour documentary, extra interviews with the band additional Yardbirds music, and two songs by The Jim McCarty Band.

"Making Tracks was great fun to make, and I think it really shows how young and old musicians can work together in a spirit of harmony and energy, giving credence to a great repertoire." - Jim McCarty, founding member/drummer/composer, and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee

The Yardbirds recorded "Stroll On" for the Michelangelo Antonioni film "Blowup," that featured a twin lead-guitar break by both Beck and Page.

Sadly, for fans, the band broke up in 1968, after playing at Luton College of Technology in Bedfordshire, England, on July 7th, 1968.

The Yardbirds reunited in 1995, a couple of years after their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Original members McCarty and Chris Dreja put together a new line-up, introducing a fresh generation of dynamic musicians. Guitarist King has been with the band since 2005 and lead singer Andy Mitchell and bassist Dave Smale have been onboard since 2009. This line-up continues the band's legacy of extraordinary musicianship.

Track Listing:
1.) I'm Not Talking
2.) Drinking Muddy Water
3.) Heartful Of Soul
4.) My Blind Life
5.) Train Kept Rollin'
6.) Shapes Of Things
7.) Mystery Of Being
8.) The Nazz Are Blue
9.) Think About It
10.) Over Under Sideways Down
11.) Crying Out For Love
12.) For Your Love
13.) Happenings Ten Years Ago
14.) Dazed And Confused
15.) I'm A Man

The DVD is to be released via MVD Entertainment Group.