Album Information:

About The Yardbirds:

The Yardbirds were an English rock band that were active from 1963 until 1968. The band were known for experimenting with a variety of musical genres, including blues, psychedelic rock, and hard rock. They were also famous for launching the careers of future rock legends such as Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, and Jeff Beck.

The Yardbirds were formed in London in 1963 by Keith Relf and Paul Samwell-Smith. The original lineup consisted of Keith Relf on vocals and harmonica, Chris Dreja on rhythm guitar, Top Topham on lead guitar, Jim McCarty on drums, and Paul Samwell-Smith on bass. The band's name was inspired by the jazz term 'yardbird'.

In 1964, Eric Clapton replaced Top Topham as the lead guitarist. This lineup recorded the commercially successful singles 'For Your Love', 'Heart Full of Soul', and 'Shapes of Things'. However, Clapton left the band due to his disagreement with the band's shift towards a more pop-oriented sound.

In 1965, Jeff Beck replaced Clapton as the lead guitarist, and the band's sound shifted towards a more psychedelic and experimental style. This lineup recorded the classic album 'Roger the Engineer', which featured hits such as 'Over Under Sideways Down' and 'Happening Ten Years Time Ago'.

In 1966, Jeff Beck was fired from the band, and Jimmy Page was brought in as the new lead guitarist. This lineup recorded the album 'Little Games', which failed to achieve commercial success. The band disbanded in 1968.

The Yardbirds were known for their innovative and experimental approach to music, which helped pave the way for the development of progressive and psychedelic rock. Their influence can be heard in the music of bands such as Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd.

Today, The Yardbirds are remembered as one of the most important and influential British rock bands of the 1960s. Despite their short career, the band's impact on rock music is still felt today.

About the album Little Games:

Little Games is the fourth studio album by the English rock band The Yardbirds, released in 1967. The album marked a departure from the band's previous blues-oriented sound and a move towards a more experimental psychedelic rock style.

The album opens with the title track, 'Little Games,' a catchy, upbeat tune featuring bright guitars, playful percussion, and a happy-go-lucky vocal performance from frontman Keith Relf. This is followed by 'Smile On Me,' a jazzy tune with a trippy, disorienting guitar solo and a soulful vocal performance.

The next few tracks on the album continue in the psychedelic vein, featuring swirling guitars, hypnotic rhythms, and mystical lyrics. 'White Summer' is an instrumental showcasing guitarist Jimmy Page's extraordinary fingerpicking skills, while 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor' is a dark, brooding tune with a haunting vocal performance.

One of the standout tracks on the album is 'Glimpses,' a stunning psychedelic masterpiece featuring ethereal vocals, shimmering guitars, and a swirling, hypnotic atmosphere. 'My Baby' is another highlight, with its catchy, singalong chorus and Relf's passionate vocal delivery.

The album closes with 'Puzzles,' a dreamy ballad that showcases Relf's impressive vocal range and the band's ability to create a lush, atmospheric sound. Although the album was not a commercial success upon its release, it has since become a cult favorite and is regarded as a classic of the psychedelic rock era.

Overall, Little Games is a beautifully crafted and highly experimental album that showcases the Yardbirds' mastery of psychedelic rock. With its swirling, kaleidoscopic soundscapes and hypnotic rhythms, it remains a fascinating and captivating listen more than 50 years after its initial release.

Members:

The Yardbirds were an English rock band formed in London in 1963. They are known for their experimentation with different musical styles and for producing three of the greatest guitarists of all time: Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page.

Here are the key members of The Yardbirds along with their biographies:

1. Keith Relf - Lead vocals, harmonica
Keith Relf was born in Richmond, Surrey, England in 1943. He was a founding member of The Yardbirds and played a key role in the band's sound, thanks to his distinctive harmonica playing and unique voice. After The Yardbirds disbanded in 1968, Relf formed a new band called Renaissance. Tragically, Relf was electrocuted in his London home in 1976.

2. Chris Dreja - Rhythm guitar
Chris Dreja was born in London in 1945. He was a founding member of The Yardbirds and played rhythm guitar. After the band broke up, Dreja became a successful photographer and contributed to the creation of several album covers for bands like Led Zeppelin and Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd.

3. Jim McCarty - Drums
Jim McCarty was born in Liverpool, England in 1943. He joined The Yardbirds as their drummer in 1963 and played on all of their recordings until the band disbanded in 1968. After The Yardbirds broke up, McCarty formed a new band called Renaissance and later, Shoot.

4. Paul Samwell-Smith - Bass guitar
Paul Samwell-Smith was born in London in 1943. He was a founding member of The Yardbirds and played bass guitar. After the band broke up, Samwell-Smith became a record producer and worked with artists like Cat Stevens and Jethro Tull.

5. Eric Clapton - Lead guitar
Eric Clapton was born in Ripley, Surrey, England in 1945. He joined The Yardbirds in 1963 and quickly became the band's lead guitarist. He left the band in 1965 to join John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. Clapton went on to achieve great success as a member of Cream, Blind Faith, and as a solo artist.

6. Jeff Beck - Lead guitar
Jeff Beck was born in Wallington, Surrey, England in 1944. He joined The Yardbirds in 1965 as Eric Clapton's replacement. Beck was known for his innovative guitar playing and experimentation with different genres of music. After The Yardbirds disbanded in 1968, Beck formed The Jeff Beck Group.

7. Jimmy Page - Lead guitar
Jimmy Page was born in Heston, Middlesex, England in 1944. He joined The Yardbirds in 1966 as Jeff Beck's replacement. Page played on The Yardbirds' last album, Little Games, before forming Led Zeppelin in 1968. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists of all time.

Track List for Little Games:

Sure! Here are the tracks in order with their play times and descriptions:

1. Little Games - 2:24 - The title track and one of The Yardbirds' most well-known songs, 'Little Games' features a catchy riff and playful lyrics about romantic games and manipulation.

2. Smile On Me - 3:15 - A bluesy rock song with a slower tempo, 'Smile On Me' showcases the band's skilled instrumentation and harmonies.

3. White Summer - 4:59 - A mainly instrumental track, 'White Summer' is a showcase for guitarist Jimmy Page's skills. It features a haunting melody and atmospheric sound effects.

4. Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor - 2:45 - This song has a bouncy, upbeat feel and features lyrics about figuring out who someone really is. It's a fun and catchy track.

5. Glimpses - 4:22 - 'Glimpses' is a more experimental track, featuring psychedelic sound effects and a slower tempo. The lyrics are somewhat esoteric and hard to decipher, but the overall sound is intriguing.

6. Drinking Muddy Water - 2:51 - This song features a classic blues structure with gritty vocals and guitar work. It's a straightforward but effective track.

7. No Excess Baggage - 2:39 - 'No Excess Baggage' has a catchy guitar riff and lyrics that touch on themes of freedom and breaking away from societal norms.

8. Stealing Stealing - 2:18 - Another bluesy track with a strong harmonica presence, 'Stealing Stealing' is a fun and energetic number.

9. Only the Black Rose - 2:47 - This track features eerie sound effects and lyrics about a mysterious black rose. It has a somewhat spooky vibe, but remains catchy thanks to its strong melody.

10. Little Soldier Boy - 2:37 - The final track on the album, 'Little Soldier Boy' is a more subdued and introspective track. It features plaintive vocals and a slow tempo, rounding out the album on a thoughtful note.

Discography for The Yardbirds:

Here is a complete discography for The Yardbirds in chronological order, including all albums, all singles, and all other releases with their respective release dates:

Albums:

1. Five Live Yardbirds (1964)
2. For Your Love (1965)
3. Having a Rave Up with The Yardbirds (1965)
4. Yardbirds (1966)
5. Roger the Engineer (1966)
6. Little Games (1967)
7. Live Yardbirds Featuring Jimmy Page (1971)
8. Birdland (2003)

Singles:

1. 'I Wish You Would' / 'A Certain Girl' (1964)
2. 'Good Morning Little Schoolgirl' / 'I Ain't Got You' (1965)
3. 'For Your Love' / 'Got to Hurry' (1965)
4. 'Heart Full of Soul' / 'Steeled Blues' (1965)
5. 'Evil Hearted You' / 'Still I'm Sad' (1965)
6. 'Shapes of Things' / 'You're a Better Man Than I' (1966)
7. 'Over Under Sideways Down' / 'Jeff's Boogie' (1966)
8. 'Happenings Ten Years Time Ago' / 'Psycho Daisies' (1966)
9. 'Little Games' / 'Puzzles' (1967)

Other Releases:

1. Sonny Boy Williamson and The Yardbirds (1965)
2. The Yardbirds EP (1967)
3. Birdland Sessions (2003)

Note: This discography only includes official releases and does not include bootlegs or compilations that feature Yardbirds tracks.