Jimmy Page producing Yardbirds compilation

Jimmy Page has produced an 18-track Yardbirds compilation album that focuses on rare material laid down in 1968.

Entitled Yardbirds ’68, the double-disc set contains eight studio recordings plus 10 live tracks from the Anderson Theater in New York City in March of that year, soon before the band began to break up, leading Page towards the formation of Led Zeppelin.

The show includes two tracks that Page went on to revisit with Led Zep – Dazed And Confused and White Summer. Also present is the Yardbirds’ studio version of Knowing That I’m Losing You, which later appeared on Led Zeppelin III.

The collection will be available in a deluxe box set signed by Page and former bandmates Jim McCarty and Chris Deja, plus CD and vinyl editions.

The three artists say in a statement: “We thought this might be lost forever, but we’ve rediscovered it, remixed it.

“It’s of great historical importance. We’re delighted to see the release.”

Yardbirds ’68 is available for pre-ordernow. See the full tracklist below.

Yardbirds ’68 tracklist

Live at Anderson Theater

1. Train Kept A Rollin’
2. Mr, You’re A Better Man Than I
3. Heart Full of Soul
4. Dazed And Confused
5. My Baby
6. Over Under Sideways Down
7. Drinking Muddy Water
8. Shapes of Things
9. White Summer
10. I’m A Man (contains Moanin’ And Sobbin’)

Studio Sketches

1. Avron Knows
2. Spanish Blood
3. Knowing That I’m Losing You (Tangerine)
4. Taking A Hold On Me
5. Drinking Muddy Water (Version Two)
6. My Baby
7. Avron’s Eyes
8. Spanish Blood (Instr.)

"It was another boring day and then The Yardbirds knocked on the door

Artists

Not only is one-time online news editor Martin an established rock journalist and drummer, but he’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a band he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. Martin has written for Classic Rock and Prog and at one time had written more articles for Louder than anyone else (we think he's second now). He’s appeared on TV and when not delving intro all things music, can be found travelling along the UK’s vast canal network.