Although there is only one member of the original band, the Yardbirds with drummer Jim McCarty kept faithful to the legendary band album titles, as the Five Live Yardbirds had a Rave Up at the packed Canyon Club Sunday night, delivering an 1 ½ hour’s worth fresh and fervent material that was as timeless back in the 60s as it is a half century later.
McCarty knows how to pick ‘em, as his recent incarnation is spot on in capturing the sound and energy of the influential band that was the progenitor of what became the signature sound of blues rockers. Not only did lead guitarist Johnny A look a bit like Jeff Beck, but his strings moaned and groaned on blueswailing pieces such as “Drinking Muddy Water” and “New York City Blues” while the Keith Relf coiffed Myke Scavone made his harp gasp for air on a wailing “Smokestack Lightning” while hitting the congos just right on the evocative “For Your Love.” Kenny Aaronson’s bass delivered some irresistible licks on the infectious “Little Games” while John Idan’s voice mixed pop sensibilities on “Good Morning Little Schoolgirl” with a bit of extra grit as on “Mr. You’re A Better Man Than I.”
Together, with McCarty’s patented snappy support, the band sizzled through the Memphis blues on a swinging stop and start of “I’m Not Talking” while the boogie of “Lost Woman” had a mix of harp and guitar solos that made you feel like you were back in the South Side of Chicago. The band reached deep down into the red clay for a sorghum thick read of “Dazed and Confused” and by the time they closed with the anthematic “I’m A Man,” McCarty and company had completed laying down the standard for which all blues rockers strive for. Many aspire, few attain; McCarty’s Yardbirds made the mix of blues, pop and swing look easy, but if it were, why aren’t other bands this good?
Upcoming shows at the Canyon Club/Saban include Jon Anderson with Jean-Luc Ponty 11/20, Robert Cray 12/05, David Lindley 01/14, Tower of Power 01/15,Ottmar Liebert 02/12
