The Yardbirds - Ultimate! (2001)

It had to happen sometime, and after about 30 years of piecemeal Yardbirds compilations, here it is: a lengthy best-of anthology that manages to cross-license material from the Clapton, Beck, and Page eras. The result is a two-CD, 52-song anthology that includes all of their big hits, most of their outstanding albums tracks and non-hit singles, and a few rarities. If you're looking for one Yardbirds compilation, either as a starter or a summary, this is it. Previous anthologies almost always had to be divided in early 1966 after the "Shapes of Things" single for licensing reasons, but finally you can hear early blues-derived Clapton sides, 1965 initial British Invasion hit singles, "Shapes of Things," "Over Under Sideways Down," "Happenings Ten Years Time Ago," and the (comparatively slight) highlights of the 1967-1968 Page lineup all in one place. As quite minor quibbles, one could argue that some of the album tracks that were passed over like "Respectable," "Ever Since the World Began," and "Glimpses" would have been better choices than some of the cuts that did make it. A few relatively obscure items are included the late 1963 recording "Boom Boom"/"Honey in Your Hips," the 1965 B-side "Steeled Blues," the 1966 B-side "Psycho Daises," the Blow-Up soundtrack item "Stroll On," the weird Italian pop single "Questa Volta"/"Pafff…Bum," and particularly the three pop-folky 1966 songs from Keith Relf's solo singles. Some of those lesser rarities are at cross-purposes with the overall tone of a set largely selected on the basis of quality, rather than collectability. Still, with fine liner notes and packaging, overall it gives the music of one of the greatest rock bands the respectful, high-class presentation it deserves.

Tracklist:

CD 1

1. Boom Boom (2:25)
2. Honey In Your Hips (2:20)
3. A Certain Girl (2:19)
4. I Wish You Would (2:20)
5. Too Much Monkey Business (Live) (3:53)
6. I Got Love If You Want It (Live) (2:40)
7. Smokestack Lightning (Live) (5:41)
8. Here 'Tis (Live) (5:15)
9. Good Morning Little Schoolgirl (2:46)
10. Got To Hurry (2:29)
11. I Ain't Got You (2:01)
12. For Your Love (2:31)
13. I'm Not Talking (2:35)
14. Steeled Blues (2:40)
15. Heart Full Of Soul (2:30)
16. I Ain't Done Wrong (3:42)
17. You're A Better Man Than I (3:59)
18. Shapes Of Things (2:27)
19. The Train Kept A-Rollin' (3:26)
20. New York City Blues (4:21)
21. Evil Hearted You (2:26)
22. I'm A Man (2:39)
23. Still I'm Sad (3:04)
24. Questa Volta (2:35)
25. Pafff… Bum (2:37)

CD 2

1. Lost Woman (3:14)
2. Over Under Sideways Down (2:24)
3. The Nazz Are Blue (3:03)
4. I Can't Make Your Way (2:27)
5. Rack My Mind (3:14)
6. Hot House Of Omagararshid (2:44)
7. Jeff's Boogie (2:25)
8. He's Always There (2:29)
9. Turn Into Earth (3:11)
10. What Do You Want (3:22)
11. Happenings Ten Years Time Ago (2:57)
12. Psycho Daisies (1:50)
13. Stroll On (2:46)
14. Little Games (Single Version) (2:25)
15. Puzzles (2:03)
16. White Summer (3:50)
17. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor (2:54)
18. No Excess Baggage (2:39)
19. Drinking Muddy Water (2:54)
20. Only The Black Rose (2:52)
21. Ten Little Indians (2:17)
22. Ha Ha Said The Clown (2:29)
23. Goodnight Sweet Josephine (U.S. Version) (2:46)
24. Think About It (3:50)
25. Knowing (1:55)
26. Mr. Zero (2:47)
27. Shapes in My Mind (2:19)