I have updated my concert trading list with a large number of new shows - please feel free to check it out. Thanks!
zz-top-shows-to-trade
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Sunrise in Texas
In less than one month the Top machine will be hitting the road again. Taking a slightly longer winter break than usual, there are hesitations, anticipations and excited expectations concerning the 2010 roadshow.
Relatively little has been heard over the past five months. Normally the typical rumors attesting to studio workouts or a new album are "leaked" out and debated amongst fans (remember last year the official website zztop.com touted "new tour, new album, new everything"). What the hell - where did the new album go? It must be noted that if even the official website is a rumor mill than confirmation of a new album can only occur when one is holding a shiny piece of plastic with a production date of 2010 in small print on the back, and emblazed across the front is that most exciting combination of letters, ZZ TOP.
As it stands now the band will open the proceedings in their home state of Texas on April 23rd. If you're like me you are already fantasising about the set list, the opportunity, the potential for changes, stages, rearranges. No more teases, let's hear "My Head's in Mississippi" in its entirety. Kill the lumbering "Pincushion" once and for all. And please remember that albums named "Rhythmeen" and "Mescalero" were recorded by three talented musicians, each consisting of at least eight tracks suitable for live and alive rendition.
People are allowed to dream aren't they? So here it stands, my wish list for the 2010 ZZ Top live extravaganza:
- More personalized and unique banter from Billy
- Hearing what Mr. Hill thinks
- Confirming that Mr. Beard can still smile while wailing on his drum kit
- Bring back "Arrested For Driving While Blind", "Ten Foot Pole", "Dust My Broom", "Just Got
Back From Baby's", "Precious and Grace" and "It's Only Love".
- Introduce "Pretty Head", "Loaded", "Shiek", "Sure Got Cold After the Rain Fell", "It's So
Hard", and "Mescalero".
- Kill "Pincushion", "Tush", "Tube Snake Boogie", "Cheap Sunglasses" and "Gimme All Your
Lovin'".
Seriously, who am I kidding!? I would go see the band even if they jammed on "Tush" for 75 minutes (but I wouldn't go to South America to see it).
There are at least a dozen tracks that the group has sitting in the can going back to the early '90's, as well as a number of songs Billy has worked on since "Mescalero's" release in 2003. Maybe one of these unreleased tracks will be shown some love in a live forum.
At any rate, I remain confident that this will prove to be a great year. ZZ is headed to some places it has never been, and that creates excitement in and of itself. As my good friend stated before, we need some USA East Coast dates so I can frequent more than one or two shows this year.
Any changes you would like to see this year - think about it.
Relatively little has been heard over the past five months. Normally the typical rumors attesting to studio workouts or a new album are "leaked" out and debated amongst fans (remember last year the official website zztop.com touted "new tour, new album, new everything"). What the hell - where did the new album go? It must be noted that if even the official website is a rumor mill than confirmation of a new album can only occur when one is holding a shiny piece of plastic with a production date of 2010 in small print on the back, and emblazed across the front is that most exciting combination of letters, ZZ TOP.
As it stands now the band will open the proceedings in their home state of Texas on April 23rd. If you're like me you are already fantasising about the set list, the opportunity, the potential for changes, stages, rearranges. No more teases, let's hear "My Head's in Mississippi" in its entirety. Kill the lumbering "Pincushion" once and for all. And please remember that albums named "Rhythmeen" and "Mescalero" were recorded by three talented musicians, each consisting of at least eight tracks suitable for live and alive rendition.
People are allowed to dream aren't they? So here it stands, my wish list for the 2010 ZZ Top live extravaganza:
- More personalized and unique banter from Billy
- Hearing what Mr. Hill thinks
- Confirming that Mr. Beard can still smile while wailing on his drum kit
- Bring back "Arrested For Driving While Blind", "Ten Foot Pole", "Dust My Broom", "Just Got
Back From Baby's", "Precious and Grace" and "It's Only Love".
- Introduce "Pretty Head", "Loaded", "Shiek", "Sure Got Cold After the Rain Fell", "It's So
Hard", and "Mescalero".
- Kill "Pincushion", "Tush", "Tube Snake Boogie", "Cheap Sunglasses" and "Gimme All Your
Lovin'".
Seriously, who am I kidding!? I would go see the band even if they jammed on "Tush" for 75 minutes (but I wouldn't go to South America to see it).
There are at least a dozen tracks that the group has sitting in the can going back to the early '90's, as well as a number of songs Billy has worked on since "Mescalero's" release in 2003. Maybe one of these unreleased tracks will be shown some love in a live forum.
At any rate, I remain confident that this will prove to be a great year. ZZ is headed to some places it has never been, and that creates excitement in and of itself. As my good friend stated before, we need some USA East Coast dates so I can frequent more than one or two shows this year.
Any changes you would like to see this year - think about it.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Southern Blues
Since the beginning the band has seemingly had at least one quintessential "blues" track per record. Whether this one an album pattern is intentional or a coincidence is anyone's guess. But it's held steady.
Sure enough, on the first record, aptly titled "ZZ Top's First Album", the group brought to the table the monster track "Just Got Back From Baby's". Heavily influenced by Jimi Hendrix (one of Billy's highest held guitar idols) both lyrically and melodically, the track reflects a musical maturity and posture that transcends the age of its composers. Dripping with soul and southern influence, it still stands as one of the greatest tracks the group has ever laid down. Often in the shadow of "Brown Sugar", the song is deserving of more attention from both the casual and die hard fan.
Taking note of the previously discussed "remixes" of all the London records (sans "Deguello") the currently available CD version features extensive reverb and echo. Interestingly this is the only song that I have a slight preference for the remixed version. To me it just sounds more bluesy. This is at the expense of some of the soul that is conveyed in the original, "dry" mix.
Similar to the one blues song an album, ZZ would generally play one blues song a concert (save for 1994's Antenna tour, which had a mini blues set). "Just Got Back From Baby's" would become a staple of the groups early live repertoire, not to be replaced until Fandango's "Blue Jean Blues" in 1975. Often stretched to over 7 minutes in length, the song would feature some of the most fluent and dazzling guitar playing that has ever traveled through an amp.
Having been replaced in 1975 the song would not be heard again until 1994's Antenna tour. While brought down to a more standard length of just under 5 minutes, it would again showcase the style and grace of Billy's guitar playing that we all know and love.
Next up: "Sure Got Cold After the Rain Fell".
Sure enough, on the first record, aptly titled "ZZ Top's First Album", the group brought to the table the monster track "Just Got Back From Baby's". Heavily influenced by Jimi Hendrix (one of Billy's highest held guitar idols) both lyrically and melodically, the track reflects a musical maturity and posture that transcends the age of its composers. Dripping with soul and southern influence, it still stands as one of the greatest tracks the group has ever laid down. Often in the shadow of "Brown Sugar", the song is deserving of more attention from both the casual and die hard fan.
Taking note of the previously discussed "remixes" of all the London records (sans "Deguello") the currently available CD version features extensive reverb and echo. Interestingly this is the only song that I have a slight preference for the remixed version. To me it just sounds more bluesy. This is at the expense of some of the soul that is conveyed in the original, "dry" mix.
Similar to the one blues song an album, ZZ would generally play one blues song a concert (save for 1994's Antenna tour, which had a mini blues set). "Just Got Back From Baby's" would become a staple of the groups early live repertoire, not to be replaced until Fandango's "Blue Jean Blues" in 1975. Often stretched to over 7 minutes in length, the song would feature some of the most fluent and dazzling guitar playing that has ever traveled through an amp.
Having been replaced in 1975 the song would not be heard again until 1994's Antenna tour. While brought down to a more standard length of just under 5 minutes, it would again showcase the style and grace of Billy's guitar playing that we all know and love.
Next up: "Sure Got Cold After the Rain Fell".
Friday, March 5, 2010
In Like A Lion...
As sure a sign as any that Spring has arrived, the ZZ Top tour schedule is rapidly coming together. With warm-ups in the U.S. in early May, followed by a first ever jaunt to South America later in the month, swinging back to the U.S. in June, then off to Europe in July and then back again to the U.S. in August it is looking to be a busy year for the band.
This could all prove to be very exciting. It has been quiet on the ZZ Top front the past three months, who knows what they could have been doing with their time. Most likely Dusty and Frank spent the majority resting and enjoying being at home. But for Billy however I would wager he was hard at work on various appearances and projects, one of which I hope is a new album. AC/DC had a strong comeback after many years without a new record, so ZZ Top can too.
I would not look for the early dates in May in the U.S. to feature any great revelations as far as set list changes or new tracks go. These types of warm up shows are generally shorter and of a conservative nature. I would anticipate however that they let loose south of the Equator and hopefully feature some change-ups.
If a new album has been worked on I would anticipate an announcement regarding the same in the next 45 days or so. Any more than that and the probability of any fan desired (and deserved) surprises goes down. I am not privy to insider ZZ info, so all my ramblings are merely guesstimates, but one can dream right?
Either way, check the official ZZ site and the excellent blog http://zztopeurope2007.blogspot.com/ for up to the minute info regarding rumors, suspicions and confirmations of upcoming shows.
Support the group. I have a feeling this is going to be a great year!
This could all prove to be very exciting. It has been quiet on the ZZ Top front the past three months, who knows what they could have been doing with their time. Most likely Dusty and Frank spent the majority resting and enjoying being at home. But for Billy however I would wager he was hard at work on various appearances and projects, one of which I hope is a new album. AC/DC had a strong comeback after many years without a new record, so ZZ Top can too.
I would not look for the early dates in May in the U.S. to feature any great revelations as far as set list changes or new tracks go. These types of warm up shows are generally shorter and of a conservative nature. I would anticipate however that they let loose south of the Equator and hopefully feature some change-ups.
If a new album has been worked on I would anticipate an announcement regarding the same in the next 45 days or so. Any more than that and the probability of any fan desired (and deserved) surprises goes down. I am not privy to insider ZZ info, so all my ramblings are merely guesstimates, but one can dream right?
Either way, check the official ZZ site and the excellent blog http://zztopeurope2007.blogspot.com/ for up to the minute info regarding rumors, suspicions and confirmations of upcoming shows.
Support the group. I have a feeling this is going to be a great year!
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