Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Calling Mr. Gibbons...Mr. Gibbons please...Mr. Gibbons...???

Okay, no need to harp on this long-term but a comment needs to be made...

I received my copy of ZZ's "Live From Texas" 2007 show on vinyl today. I love the sound you get from vinyl records, and the 180 gram edition had me right away.

Apparently as a bonus LP track "Heard It On the X" has been added back in, having originally been removed from the CD due to time constraints. "Foxy Lady" and "Pincushion" are still missing however. As any ZZ fan worth his weight knows Billy usually performs a few slide blues licks, usually lasting 30 - 45 seconds, prior to "Just Got Paid". He did the same in the "Live From Texas" show. The issue here however is that on the record you hear the blues intro, then suddenly Billy shouts "Let's go down to that Mexican border one time" and "Heard It On the X" starts playing. Then immediately following "X" is the beginning of the "Just Got Paid" riff. They butchered "Paid" by sticking "X" in the middle of it!

What pisses me off is that Billy obviously did not listen to and approve the record prior to its release. Instead of monitoring quality control and ensuring the important heritage and presentation of ZZ Top, he's busy touring like crazy. This may seem like a small issue, but the record was not cheap. ZZ Top fans are a loyal breed. We deserve better than this.

Who is in charge here? Who is ZZ Top's manager? Who reviews and monitors these things? Was this just another way to make a quick buck?

Mr. Gibbons, are you listening??!!!! If someone close to the band reads this than speak up!! Answer your fans!!!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Spontaneity

Appears there is an indication that Jeff Beck may have stepped onstage with ZZ during a concert in Italy within the past few days. Jeff and Billy had been attending a few events together earlier this month so it's perhaps not fully surprising, but still very exciting, that Jeff played with the boyzz. It is these moments of spontaneity that create an immense amount of excitement for me, and I imagine for many others that collect ZZ Top's concert recordings.

Throughout the 1970's ZZ would mix things up, varying the set list and often jamming on songs each night. Some of the earliest recordings feature songs approaching 20 minutes, which are very loose in structure and if anything were an exercise to show off the talents of the musicians on their respect instruments. Some may not know that in the early days Frank Beard had a prominent and isolated drum solo. Tough to imagine that now a days.

These moments of surprise reassure the hardcore long-term fans that the Top continues to innovate, rather than dialing it in. After 40+ years of playing together, and with an utterly astoundingly complacent set list (why in the hell are they not playing "Francine"!!!!) it would be easy for the group to simply show up to collect a pay check. I would actively be concerned about one member of the band, but since he's had the same "cool" stage persona since the mid 1980's I'm not really worried that he's so bored he's about to quit.

Slash and John Mayer (sorry, I can't stand Mayer) joined the group onstage last summer, and early last year Billy jammed on the immortal "Rattlesnake Shake" with Aerosmith in Dallas. The show with Billy Bob's group in Texas early last year was another highlight. Seeking these rare shows adds great excitement to the pursuit and passion of collecting live ZZ.

I do however miss the days of the double encores. The early 1980's found a still youthful and recently reinvigorated ZZ Top answering the demands of their audiences. When the house lights came on, and the crowd screamed and roared and refused to leave, the band happily obliged and threw the lights down again, promising to "tear this house down tonight". If the set list must remain so rigid, perhaps a comprise can be made by mixing up the encores. A little "Thank You" or "Bang Bang" would go a long way!

So far this has been a fantastic year for new ZZ Top recordings. As of this writing 10 shows have been recorded, likely more but those remain unknown. For this I am very thankful and appreciative to those dedicated tapers who honorably share the fruits of their efforts with all fans to enjoy. To the tapers, I thank you.

* On point, I am very interested in obtaining a copy of the Italy show where Jeff Beck joined the group (if the rumors are true). Please contact me if you have a recording of this concert.
** I am also very interested in obtaining a copy of ZZ's Houston Rodeo performance in early 2007. This was a great show with some real rarities played. I know a few people have copies but I am having trouble securing a full version of the show.
*** I am an honest man and wish to share my recordings with any ZZ Top fan that is interested. If you have either of the two shows mentioned above I would be happy to trade multiple shows for the one you have. Thank you!!!

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

New Album rumors?!

There has been a light buzz going around indicating some possible hints of a new album, to be released in the fall of this year. Reportedly Billy advised a Finland newspaper that they hope to have a new record released, possibly in September. Further a music industry site has indicated a new album is anticipated to be put out this year. This same site references Robert Plant's new Band of Joy album as an anticipated release; this is actually a definite for later this year, so maybe the same holds true for ZZ. It is easy to be skeptical, but I can't help but be a little excited. No indications of a possible album title and overall little is known.

I ask that fans comment when they hear or read any information possibly pertaining to a new album.
Thanks!!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

The Untouchables

A fellow ZZ Top fan proposed an interesting point. He felt it was questionable for ZZ to cover one of Jimi Hendrix's most quintessential tracks - "Hey Joe". Having felt this to be a song of utmost influence, sincerity and personal creativity, he argued that maybe it was not appropriate for the group to offer their own version. So I thought; is it a good idea?

It's true that Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" has never had a really sincere cover, most versions are a joke or play on words. Same holds for Floyd's "Wish You Were Here". Lennon's "Imagine". These are huge songs, yet bands and musicians have stayed away from trying to offer a rendition. Perhaps in fear of backlash from the public or the original composer? Maybe the tunes simply cannot be faithfully replicated? I hadn't really thought about it before, but the one time I went to see a Zeppelin cover band they did not play "Stairway". It didn't hit me at the time, but its an interesting revelation.

Certainly Hendrix is at the pinnacle of music's most astoundingly talented, astoundingly revered, astoundingly creative individuals. His compositions and influence will transcend centuries of would be imitators of less blinding skill, of living memories fading into historical accounts and anecdotes. But is "Hey Joe" the one - the untouchable track amongst his many generous gifts to man? Actually, yeah, it probably is, to me and the fellow ZZ Top fan anyway.

But in light of the history between Billy Gibbons and Jimi Hendrix I would argue an exception needs to be made. Jimi named Billy as one of his favorite and most talented musicians, and was so confident and enthusiastic in the aspiring guitarist's work that he brought him along on the road to tour together. Billy has spoken very highly of Hendrix through the years, as everyone does. But Billy has a greater connection than Slash or Kenny Wayne Shepard. He spoke with and learned from the master. He was part of the circle, if only for a short while. The band does a fair and genuine rendition of "Hey Joe" and crowds enthusiastically react when the first words asking about that gun in Joe's hand are sung. If Billy digs it, and Dusty digs it, and Frank digs it, and the crowd digs it, and the masses dig it, so be it. I'm pretty sure Jimi would dig it too.

* It was rumored during the Spring rehearsals ZZ was working on a third Hendrix song to possibly bring to the stage (after "Hey Joe" and "Foxy Lady"). Having slowly lengthened the closing outro of "Hey Joe" over the course of the year to include several highly notable chords of "The Wind Cries Mary", perhaps this is the next tune the Top will turn us on to.
*