The Yardbirds – Having A Rave Up With The Yardbirds

Having a Rave Up with The Yardbirds, released in November 1965, is a pivotal album that captures the band's transition from blues-infused rock to a more experimental sound. The album features a blend of studio recordings with Jeff Beck and live performances with Eric Clapton, showcasing the band's versatility and evolution. Tracks like "Heart Full of Soul" and "Still I'm Sad" highlight Beck's innovative guitar work, while live renditions of "Smokestack Lightning" and "I'm a Man" emphasize Clapton's blues prowess. This combination offers listeners a comprehensive view of the Yardbirds' dynamic range during a transformative period in their career.

Critically acclaimed, the album is noted for its influence on the development of psychedelic and hard rock. It reached number 53 on the Billboard 200 chart and has been recognized for its contribution to the British Invasion era. The album's innovative approach and the band's willingness to push musical boundaries have cemented its status as a classic in rock history.

Reviews

"Having a Rave Up may have chaotic origins, but the music more than makes up for the mess—it captures one of the greatest bands ever during their peak period." — Classic Music Review

"Having a Rave Up is one of the greatest albums to come out of the 1960s." — Society of Rock

"The Yardbirds are one of the prime examples of why 60s garage rock went so hard." — Album of The Year

"This late 1965 release captures the heart of The Yardbirds from many different angles and laid a firm foundation for the heavy blues rock which would dominate the music world for decades to come." — Classic Rock Review

"Among British blues-rock albums, this Giorgio Gomelsky production is the pick for its wealth of hits and its influence on garage rock and hard rock lead guitar." — AllMusic