The Yardbirds, one of the most influential bands to emerge from the British pop scene of the 60's, have just put the finishing touches to their first new studio recording since 1968's Little Games'.

The new album, Birdland', released by Favoured Nations Recordings, features founding members Chris Dreja (rhythm guitar and backing vocals) and Jim McCarty (drums and backing vocals) alongside Gypie Mayo (lead guitar and backing vocals, formerly of Dr.Feelgood), John Idan (bass and lead vocals) and Alan Glen (harmonica and backing vocals, ex- of Nine Below Zero, Little Axe).

As an extra bonus they are joined on this recording by a host of venerated guitar heroes including Brian May, Steve Vai, Slash, Joe Satriani, Steve Lukather and Jeff "Skunk" Baxter.

Birdland' was produced by Ken Allardyce (Weezer, Fleetwood Mac, Green Day, Goo Goo Dolls) and contains newly recorded versions of eight of the Yardbirds' best known hits (I'm not talking', The Nazz Are Blue', For Your Love', Train Kept a Rolling', Shapes of Things', Over, Under, Sideways, Down', Mr. You're a Better Man Than I' and Happenings Ten Years Time Ago') plus seven new songs that faithfully carry on the Yardbirds' musical tradition (Crying Out For Love', Please Don't Tell Me Bout the News', Mr. Saboteur', My Blind Life', The Mystery of Being', Dream Within A Dream' and An Original Man (A Song for Keith)'.

According to founding Yardbirds' member Chris Dreja, "To make our first album in so many years has been a lasting ambition of ours. We wanted to do our original songs and our new ones with modern production while preserving the essence of our sound. It was a labour of love, and we're grateful to everyone who helped our guest musicians and especially to Steve Vai. To me, it doesn't sound like we've been away for 35 years. The Yardbirds are still a kick-ass, high-energy band and that comes across on this album.'

We have 5 copies of Birdland' to giveaway. To enter the competition to win one of the CDs simply answer the question below and send it to digital.media@kendal.newsquest.co.uk to arrive by 13th June 2003.

Question: What was The Yardbirds' last studio recording?

To find out more about The Yardbird's latest incarnation visit their website at http://www.theyardbirds.com

Terms & Conditions:

- Employees of Newsquest (Kendal) Ltd and their families are not eligible to enter.

- There is no cash alternative to the prize.

-The editor's decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

-Winners must agree to participate in any publicity connected with this promotion.

May 14, 2003 15:00