[.ca] Roger the Engineer

Roger The Engineer o la evolución del rock Inglés:
Con el paso del tiempo Roger The Engineer o The Yardbirds (hay tantas versiones disponibles que la denominación confunde, aunque esta parece la mejor) se ha transformado en un referente a la hora de indicar el punto de partida para la sicodelia, del mismo modo que sucede con los Byrds y su Fifth Dimension, ambos discos aparecidos a mediados del 66, y lo que demuestra los distintos caminos que tomaría el estilo en ambos lados del Atlántico, ya que Byrds y Yardbirds, aparte del nombre parecido no comparten muchas ideas musicales. No se si esa afirmación es del todo cierta, ya que si bien los Yardbirds abrieron el camino para nuevas formas musicales, éstos están tan ligados al hard rock como a la sicodelia. Pero viene el complicado asunto de qué es exactamente la sicodelia. Si se trata de experimentar con la guitarra y llevar el instrumento a otras alturas, entonces los Yardbirds son los padres del estilo, más aún si se considera que Hendrix y Cream todavía no daban señales de vida. Lost Woman, Rack My Mind y What Do You Want son 3 poderosos temas con un Beck brillante disparando furiosos acordes y riffs, en tanto Over, Under, Sideways, Down explora sonoridades más lejanas. Ahora, si se trata de introducir nuevas ideas más allá de las 6 cuerdas, el asunto se limita un poco más. Pero Turn Into Earth y el inicio de Ever Since the World Began son cantos gregorianos en formato pop, y eso no se había visto mucho antes, al igual que el particular efecto conseguido en Hot House of Omagarashid. Como se ve, el grupo si aportó unas cuantas buenas ideas a la sicodelia, pero también desarrolló otras para el hard rock que en el fondo es lo que más se les reconoce (no por nada tuvieron a Beck, Clapton y Page). Revisando los temas extras, Psycho Daisies es un blues dinámico pero no muy relevante, pero Happenings Ten Years Time Ago es una auténtica joya hard sicodélica, con Beck y Page enfrascandose en un duelo de titanes en medio de sirenas. Lástima que esta sociedad no produjo más temas, aunque es fácil ver lo imposible que hubiese sido tenerlos en el mismo grupo mucho tiempo. Por su parte, los temas de Keith Relf varían entre el pop barroco y la sicodelia más light, pero son todos rescatables exceptuando el insipidísimo Blue Sands. Aftermath y Revolver pueden haber sido los discos más importantes del fundamental 66, pero Roger The Engineer es una visita obligada para exploradores un poco más curiosos.

A 1966 Milestone:
"Over, Under, Sideways, Down" or "The Yardbirds" or "Roger the Engineer" was the Yardbirds' first real album released in 1966. They had released two albums in America in 1965 "For Your Love" and "Having a Rave Up", but they were merely a compilations of singles, EP's , live-recordings or obscure recording which were included to fill up the albums to reach an acceptable playing-time. For the first time they were given the opportunity to record a real album. The were not given unlimited studio-time; on the contrary; the album was recorded during a very short time-period; I believe it was about 2 weeks. This makes the result even more impressive. It's no exaggeration to call this album one a the greatest of the mid-sixties. Very tight playing by everyone, impressive and innovative guitar-work from Jeff Beck, solid vocals and great songs. In my opinion there is no doubt that it's Jeff Beck who makes the difference. I love the sounds he can get out of his guitar. It's not difficult to imagine who stunned people would we when listening to his guitar back in 66. The great mixture of traditional blues and the new psychedelic sounds has never been surpassed. Even classic 12 bar blues tracks like "Lost Woman","Over, Under, Sideways, Down", "The Nazz Are Blue", "Rack My Mind", "Jeff's Boogie" and "What Do You Want" sounded (sounds) new; and these recordings still sound uplifting and full of energy today. On songs like "Ever Since The World Began", "Turn Into Earth", "Hot House" and "Happenings Ten Years Time Ago" showed a purer progressive side of the band. In fact "Happenings Ten Years Time Ago" was not originally included on the album, as it was recorded shortly after, at a time when Jimmy Page had also joined the group. "Happenings Ten Years Time Ago" was released as a single with "Psycho Daisies" as the b-side. These two songs have been featured on most re-releases of the album, and can almost be considered as originals. The moving "Farewell" is a another favourite; makes you think of the sad destiny of Keith Relf who died electrocuted in 1976 by his own guitar while practising at his home. Unfortunately this 2 lead-guitarist period would last very short, as Jeff Beck soon left. As far as I know, they only recorded 3 songs; with "Stroll On" from the movie "Blow Up" as the third. The bonus tracks make the CD an even better buy. The Keith Relf solo tracks a all solid; in fact they are really the Yardbirds backing singer Relf. "Mr Zero" is not far from later Yardbirds recordings like "Little Soldier Boy". If you're even the least interested in the music that came out of the 1960's this milestone is a must buy!

	Custom Search