ZZ Top, and especially Billy Gibbons, have been influenced throughout their career by the airwaves and culture of the “X”, the sounds, attitudes, fashion and style of South of the Boarder. Mexico. Throughout the 1970’s the group, in their adventurous and exuberant youth, often traveled across the Rio Grande to partake in the music, sights and sins that Mexico had to offer. Paying homage to their internal affection and appreciation for Mexican culture, both musically and spiritually, served them well. The result of this affection was a decade of intense creativity and inspiration, bringing forth some of the most unique and original sounds Texas has ever produced.
Starting w/ Tres Hombres, the Top had five straight albums with Spanish titles. Going back even further, the single version of “Francine” off Rio Grande Mud featured an English version and a Spanish version. Billy was heavily influenced by the sounds coming from the border, growing up in Houston only four hours from the line. He has been quoted as fondly remembering traveling down Highway 59 on his way to Laredo and then across the river to Nuevo Laredo and beyond. In fact I believe the young ladies Precious and Grace were met along the fabled road, resulting in some chaotic and dangerous activity (IF you believe everything Mr. Gibbons has to say, which per him you can’t). “Heard It On The X” was an ode to the transmissions coming across the Rio Grande via the Mexican airwaves. Starting with Eliminator (Billy jokingly noted around the time of the breakout album that it was to be pronounced “El Liminator”) the band lost their focus on their early influences (Blues, Elvis, Rock, Country) and fell into the popular sound of the ‘80’s. It would be 13 years until the connection to the culture of Mexico would begin to come back. The album “Antenna” was a second affirmation of their love of the “X” waves. “Rhythmeen” would step it up to include South of the Border references in “Vincent Price Blues” and “She’s Just Killing Me”, in part due to their commitment to add to the soundtrack of the film “Dusk Till Dawn” (which also featured “Mexican Blackbird” from “Fandango”). “XXX” lost the way. The ultimate return however came in “Mescalero”. Representing the first Spanish titled album in 23 years, the record was heavily influenced by the past. “Mescalero” and “Que Lastima” were sung entirely in Spanish. The album artwork created the picture of a dusty Mexico landscape, and the record as a whole was soaked in dirty, crunchy Spanish blues.
With the exception of “Antenna” there has been little advertising support and/or band support for the albums of the RCA era. The tours for “Antenna” and “Rhythmeen” both featured an extensive amount of tracks played live. “XXX” and “Mescalero” on the road however was pathetic. The band played little off of the records, and the advertising by RCA was minimal. The group has got to get behind their new album, they have got to find an idea, an angle, a base, a foundation, and commit to it. Push it. Advertise it. Promote it. Support it live. Show confidence and gusto in the new tracks, and recognize that the new stuff is just as good, or better, than the old. The continuing delays in the new album (6+ years!) may in fact be due to a lack of what direction to go in, what type of album to create. Per Billy they have a great number of tracks in various forms of finish on tape. Why not focus on what you know and do best, which many would opine to be Texas Blues/Rock with Mexican influences. Bring the past in line with the present, and show the direction of the future. “Mescalero” was a return to form, now step it up a notch and create a whole new level, a stronger than ever connection to Texas and Mexico sounds.
From recent announcements it appears the group is adding more tour dates and again avoiding focusing on the new record; the new album being in my opinion the most important task at hand. Capitalize on the current moderate resurgence in the band’s exposure and popularity, and lay down the new tracks. The debate regarding the ongoing delays are for another post however.
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