From their beginnings in 1962–1963 until their breakup in 1968, The Yardbirds released one studio album, one live album, nine singles, and two EPs in their native United Kingdom (a second live album with the Yardbirds serving as a back-up band for Sonny Boy Williamson II and a soundtrack album for which they contributed one song, were also released during this period). As was the practice in the UK at the time, the Yardbirds' singles (except one) and their first EP were not released on albums. In the US (where albums included singles), the Yardbirds released an additional two albums, a second studio album, a greatest hits album, and four additional singles. Demos for two songs recorded in 1963 were later released as a single in the Netherlands and Germany[1] and a single recorded for the Italian market was released during this period.[2]
Since their breakup in 1968, a number of new albums have appeared. Besides numerous compilations, albums featuring additional live recordings and various demos and outtakes from 1963–1968 have been released. Since 1999, several recordings by the reconstituted Yardbirds have been released.
Original albums 1964–1968
Studio albums
The first two American Yardbirds albums were made up of US-only tracks, plus singles, an EP, and tracks from Five Live Yardbirds.[3]Over Under Sideways Down is the same as Yardbirds, except two tracks were not included.[4] The albums released in Canada correspond to the first three American albums, although some tracks were substituted and the cover art differs (For Your Love was retitled Heart Full of Soul aka Presenting The Yardbirds). Where two catalogue numbers are given, the album was released in monaural and stereo versions.
"Stroll On", an updated remake of "Train Kept A-Rollin'", featuring Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page on dual-lead guitars, is the only Yardbirds contribution to the soundtrack. The film score is by Herbie Hancock.
Numerous Yardbird's compilation albums issued by a number of record companies have been released over the years (allmusic shows over 100 compilations).[8] The following lists some of the more notable and current releases:
Date
Title
Label & Cat. no.
Comments
10/1970
The Yardbirds Featuring Performances by Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page
Epic EG-30135
early US compilation featuring all three lineups, reached #155
includes non-album singles and alternate takes/mixes
5/1993
Train Kept A-Rollin' - The Complete Giorgio Gomelsky Productions (re-released as The Yardbirds Story (2002 Charly SNAB 905 CD))
Charly CD LIK BOX 3
most available Yardbird recordings from 1963–66 (before Yardbirds/Over Under Sideways Down), including previously unreleased 1963–64 demos and live recordings, and later alternate takes
