Bring 'Em Back

All is very quiet on the ZZ Top front. The official 40th anniversary of the band recently occurred. No tour dates have been confirmed until May. Maybe they are working on the new album after all.

Regarding the live scene, 2009 did see some variations in the set list as the year progressed, notably the additions of "Brown Sugar", "Party On the Patio", "I Loved A Woman", and "Mexican Blackbird". Early 2008 featured a very brief (for a few shows) appearance of "It's Only Love" and "Thank You".

So I was thinking, what songs would be great to hear live again. Songs that haven't been played in 5, 10 or 20 years. Here's five I would like to see:

"Dust My Broom" -
Last known time played: 2002 (one show, Atlantic City):
** Abbreviated rendition: 2009 Boston **
Always sounding better live than it's studio counterpart, Rockaplast was the perfect example of how good this song comes across on stage. Granted the solo would be a little tough nowadays (if played like Billy played it in 1980), but it's energy is undeniable. There was a very memorable and striking performance of the track in Boston this past September, featuring Billy alone with his guitar accompanying. Very unique version, awesome to hear.

"Just Got Back From Baby's" -
Last known performance: 1994 Antenna Tour
A staple of the group's set lists in the early to mid '70's, the song would be gloriously resurrected during 1994's Antenna Tour. Some of the best blues the group ever did. "Brown Sugar" is brought back every so often, why not this gem?

"Precious and Grace" -
Last known performance: 2003 Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers Tour
This song kicks ass. Awesome on the official record and awesome onstage. Why this didn't become a staple in the same way as "La Grange" and "Tush" is a mystery. Great energy, great riff, great story, great song. Bring it back.

"Breakaway" -
Last known performance: 1994 Antenna Tour
One of only a handful of ballads by the Top, the live version of this simmering blues lament killed. Stretched to six minutes in length and featuring an awesome and melodic outro solo from Billy, the song was very well received by audiences (no doubt in part due to the onstage antics that took place during the song, i.e. slow dancing tour girls). I understand the song is low on the radar as far as the general public is concerned, but the track was a unique and pleasant surprise in it's variation from the group's usual double entadae formula. I'm willing to bet audiences would enjoy hearing the number, regardless of whether they recognize it.

"Arrested For Driving While Blind"
Last known performance: 1993 Harley Davidson 90th Anniversary show
This is a big one. A rock in the set list beginning with the Worldwide Texas Tour, the subtle masterpiece was played through 1987's Japan tour. Brought back for a one off appearance at the classic 1991 Hamburg Germany show (one of the top 10 best concerts from the band ever) it was last played at the '93 Harley Davidson Anniversary. The song was developed further and stretched in late' 81 / early '82, bringing in the "Hit It / Quit It" medley. This featured Billy yelling out "Quit It" and the group coming to an abrupt stop, only to restart seamlessly after Billy's "Hit It" cry. The medley often featured a funky arrangement, and for a period in the spring and summer of 1982 was played in such a manner so as to demonstrate the closest the band will ever get to a Reggae sound. Incredible.


There are more, but these are some big ones in my opinion. What songs would you like to see brought back?