Well I attended tonight's show in Charlottesville in person. Very interesting performance, not necessarily for the best of reasons.
First, the formality of the set list:
01) Got Me Under Pressure
02) Waitin' For the Bus
03) Jesus Just Left Chicago
04) Pincushion
05) I'm Bad I'm Nationwide
06) Future Blues
07) Rock Me Baby
08) Cheap Sunglasses
09) My Head's In Mississippi (snippet)
10) I Need You Tonight
11) Hey Joe
12) Brown Sugar
13) Gimme All Your Lovin'
14) Sharp Dressed Man
15) Legs
16) La Grange
17) Tush
To clarify: - no Just Got Paid. No new songs. No different songs. And no break / encore.
Concert began around 8:00. Outdoor pavilion. Very, very hot. Probably about 92 degrees in the beginning, with 90%+ humidity. Crowd was very into the performance, with the vast majority of the audience standing for the entire show.
Stage set up largely unchanged. Frank had the skull kit on display. Texicali shirts worn by Dusty and Billy with Future Farmers of America badges. Alley Kat presented the blues hat, Billy's wife Gilligan was no where to be seen. Some new choroeogrophy during "I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide".
Billy seemed to be frustrated with his guitars / tuning at several points during the show. He walked over to the soundmen stage left after Pincushion and pounded his fist on the table, seemingly unhappy about the PA. And prior to "My Head's In Mississippi" he requested a new guitar from Elwood, announcing his current axe was out of tune. Any tuning issues were likely due to the heat and humidity, which can wreck havoc to guitar strings.
All members appeared trim and fit. Billy skinny as usual, perhaps less animated than in recent years. Dusty's beard has returned to an above average length and his hair is particularly long, much more so than in many years. Frank was very reserved, chain smoking as usual, and making no effort to acknowledge the crowd.
Throughout the show one had the sense the band was in a hurry. Billy did not introduce himself or Frank, and only Dusty was acknowledged after Nationwide, which featured very fluently bass work showcasing Dusty's still potent skills. Billy did little jamming in between songs and did not "play" with his guitar in between tunes as he usually does as of late. The lack of "Just Got Paid" was highly disappointing as this song always proves to be the highlight of the night. This hurry culiminated in the encore "performance". After Legs Frank left his drum stool and Dusty sat down his bass. Both began to walk backstange. Billy however motioned to Elwood and was immediately supplied with his regular axe and relieved of the furry guitar. He then launched into "La Grange". Dusty and Frank quickly hurried back to their respective instruments and joined in. The version of "La Grange" was the absolute shortest I have every heard. I'm serious - I have over 350 ZZ concerts in my collection and have attended many shows as well. This version was under three minutes - I know this because I recorded the song on a video camera. I have never heard a version under 4 minutes 15 seconds before. No "Sloppy Drunk" or "Bar B Que". They then launched into "Tush". Regular version with no real fan fare or screaming from Dusty. Last note played and Frank walks down and bows with Dusty and Billy. They then leave the stage. "Exercise is Good for You" begins playing but only for approx one minute. The crowd chants "ZZ Top, ZZ Top" to no avail. They do not come back. The audience was stunned. Even I was surprised. I checked their schedule on the official site and it shows Charlotte on 06/02, only 6 hours away and not for two days. I have no idea why they were in such a hurry, but the people who suffered were the fans.
This is the EXACT same set list as the last time I saw the group, which was LAST YEAR. Except they didn't play "Just Got Paid" and destroyed "La Grange". I will not be seeing the group again until they stop insulting me and their fans.
In the name of all the lifetime fans, the true followers and the true believers, our only hope lies in the still lingering anticipation of a new album. ZZ has truly reached a staleness, a passive and dismissive spectacale, a parody of themselves and their once intimidating and engaging presence. We can only hope they recover from this lowest of lows and reclaim perhaps 10% of their former glory.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Essen Germany 1980 Official Live CD Release
Looks like an offical release of ZZ's 1980 performance at Rockpalast in Essen Germany will be coming to CD. Real shame though - in order to bring it down to just one disc a number of great songs from the show have been omitted. The usual pandering to the general public in efforts to make profits at the expense of the long time fans who have been here since the beginning.
http://www.hollywoodtoday.net/2011/05/25/zz-top-live-in-germany-1980-full-release-classic-rock-roll-on-cd/
http://www.hollywoodtoday.net/2011/05/25/zz-top-live-in-germany-1980-full-release-classic-rock-roll-on-cd/
Monday, May 23, 2011
The Vault - 1980's Part II
05/28/1982 - Dortmund, Germany
Professional filmed, this video features a heavily animated and energized ZZ. Showcasing relative rarities such as "Groove Little Hippie Pad" there is a heavy does of "El Loco" material. Never officialy released, bootleg copies only feature about 9 or 10 songs, which may have been all that was broadcast. No doubt the entire show was filmed. Sure would be cool to see it.
05/31/1982 - Pink Pop Festival, Netherlands
Professional filmed. Never officially released. Only three songs are available, and the quality of the video is several generations removed from the master. Likely more songs were recorded. This would make a great companion to Dortmund 1982 if somone would take the hint.
10/09/1983 - Houston, TX
Filmed from a distance. Only a few songs available. Never officially released, perhaps because of the quality of the recording.
10/17/1983 - Stockholm, Sweden
Professional filmed. Never offically released to my knowledge. Only five songs, which on all the copies I have seen are likely out of order - which leads me to believe more songs were actually recorded. Older and very reserved crowd - funny to watch.
11/17/1983 - The Tube, Europe
Professionally filmed and offically released as a DVD with the 25th Anniversary Eliminator set. Three "Eliminator" songs and "Tube Snake Boogie". This may have been all the songs that were recorded, and the "live" aspect is somewhat in question.
1984-1989 ????
Suddenly that's it. There may be more video of ZZ in the 1980's but I'm not currently aware of it. It is likely that a number of concerts from the Afterburner tour were professionally recorded, but no bootleg copies have ever circulated. Would be cool to see though.
Next up, you guessed it - the 1990's
Professional filmed, this video features a heavily animated and energized ZZ. Showcasing relative rarities such as "Groove Little Hippie Pad" there is a heavy does of "El Loco" material. Never officialy released, bootleg copies only feature about 9 or 10 songs, which may have been all that was broadcast. No doubt the entire show was filmed. Sure would be cool to see it.
05/31/1982 - Pink Pop Festival, Netherlands
Professional filmed. Never officially released. Only three songs are available, and the quality of the video is several generations removed from the master. Likely more songs were recorded. This would make a great companion to Dortmund 1982 if somone would take the hint.
10/09/1983 - Houston, TX
Filmed from a distance. Only a few songs available. Never officially released, perhaps because of the quality of the recording.
10/17/1983 - Stockholm, Sweden
Professional filmed. Never offically released to my knowledge. Only five songs, which on all the copies I have seen are likely out of order - which leads me to believe more songs were actually recorded. Older and very reserved crowd - funny to watch.
11/17/1983 - The Tube, Europe
Professionally filmed and offically released as a DVD with the 25th Anniversary Eliminator set. Three "Eliminator" songs and "Tube Snake Boogie". This may have been all the songs that were recorded, and the "live" aspect is somewhat in question.
1984-1989 ????
Suddenly that's it. There may be more video of ZZ in the 1980's but I'm not currently aware of it. It is likely that a number of concerts from the Afterburner tour were professionally recorded, but no bootleg copies have ever circulated. Would be cool to see though.
Next up, you guessed it - the 1990's
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Set List update
Set list from Lubbock, TX May 15th show.
01) Got Me Under Pressure
02) Waitin’ for the Bus
03) Jesus Just Left Chicago
04) I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide
05) Future Blues
06) Cheap Sunglasses
07) My Head’s in Mississippi (intro)
08) I Need You Tonight
09) Party on the Patio
10) Just Got Paid
11) Gimme All Your Lovin
12) Sharp Dressed Man
13) Legs
Encore:
14) La Grange
15) Tush
Looks like they have dropped "Hey Joe" and "Brown Sugar". Other than that no real changes. So far the set list is identical to 2010. NOT A GOOD SIGN. Something needs to happen, soon...
01) Got Me Under Pressure
02) Waitin’ for the Bus
03) Jesus Just Left Chicago
04) I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide
05) Future Blues
06) Cheap Sunglasses
07) My Head’s in Mississippi (intro)
08) I Need You Tonight
09) Party on the Patio
10) Just Got Paid
11) Gimme All Your Lovin
12) Sharp Dressed Man
13) Legs
Encore:
14) La Grange
15) Tush
Looks like they have dropped "Hey Joe" and "Brown Sugar". Other than that no real changes. So far the set list is identical to 2010. NOT A GOOD SIGN. Something needs to happen, soon...
Friday, May 13, 2011
Top & Skynyrd; Australia recording; set list ideas for June; T for Tequila; Possible name for new album
Well the relatively short Top and Skynyrd tour collaboration began last night in Wichita, KS. I have not yet seen any set lists or reviews of the show so if anyone comes across something interesting please let us know. It would be cool if Billy or even the entire group jammed with Skynyrd on some encore tracks, as has happened in the past with Brooks & Dunn and Aerosmith.
---
A recording of ZZ's performance in Sydney, Australia on April 28th has surfaced. It shows the group in a favorable light, with a high energy performance and enthusiasm from all members. There are subtle differences in some of the songs that help to differentiate what is otherwise a stale set list.
---
As I previously noted I will be seeing ZZ in Charlottesville the first night after Skynyrd's departure from the road paved by the Top. After some considerable thought I would absolutely be floored and excited to hear one, just one, of the following:
1) Dust My Broom (complete)
2) My Head's In Mississippi (complete)
3) Arrested For Driving While Blind
4) Rhythmeen
5) Precious & Grace
Here's hoping.
---
"Well now T's for Tequila, you gonna love my Texas tea... Well now T's for Tequila, you gonna love my Texas Tea."
Something tells me the phrase "T's for Tequila" will have a substantially more meaningful impact by the end of the year.
---
My best and most educated guess for the name of the as yet untitled new album: "Texicali"
---
A recording of ZZ's performance in Sydney, Australia on April 28th has surfaced. It shows the group in a favorable light, with a high energy performance and enthusiasm from all members. There are subtle differences in some of the songs that help to differentiate what is otherwise a stale set list.
---
As I previously noted I will be seeing ZZ in Charlottesville the first night after Skynyrd's departure from the road paved by the Top. After some considerable thought I would absolutely be floored and excited to hear one, just one, of the following:
1) Dust My Broom (complete)
2) My Head's In Mississippi (complete)
3) Arrested For Driving While Blind
4) Rhythmeen
5) Precious & Grace
Here's hoping.
---
"Well now T's for Tequila, you gonna love my Texas tea... Well now T's for Tequila, you gonna love my Texas Tea."
Something tells me the phrase "T's for Tequila" will have a substantially more meaningful impact by the end of the year.
---
My best and most educated guess for the name of the as yet untitled new album: "Texicali"
Friday, May 6, 2011
The Vault - 1970's addition and 1980's Part I
Vault - Addition to 1970's
Warehouse, New Orleans 1974 - How could I forgot the infamous live side one of "Fandango". Featuring "Thunderbird", "Jailhouse Rock" and "Backdoor Medley" the live capture and sound, especially on the remastered CD release, is pretty impressive. There is no doubt that several concerts around this time period were recorded in their entirety. I have many shows from this era but they are all recorded from the audience and have nowhere near as good of sound quality. The band was also on top of their game during the early days and shows were consistently amazing. Why not put out an audio release of a show from this period? I'm guessing it would sell quite well.
Vault - 1980's - Part One
The 80's have more video of ZZ Top than any other decade. Having returned from hiatus Bill Ham was keen on further pushing the popularity of his greatest act. Hence...
04/20/1980 - Rockpalast - a concert in the Spring of 1980 in Essen, Germany - professional filmed and transmitted throughout Europe. ZZ went on after midnight so the date is 04/20, not 04/19. This concert more than any other event got the word out about the Top. No longer were they Nationwide, they were International. An incredible performance with the group pulling out all the stops, even debuting an early pre-LP version of "Tube Snake Boogie". No surprise this was released as an official DVD. Why stop here?
1980 - Old Grey Whistle Test - Featuring a performance of "Cheap Sunglasses", this finds the group performing with no audience. Professionally filmed and great sound, but sort of a weird vibe.
04/21/1980 - Paris - One and a half days after Essen the group was again professionally filmed. What has leaked out contains about 1/2 of the concert. Good, but not great sound, and also somewhat diminished video. No question that there is a pristine copy of this show in it's entirety sitting in Billy's office. Sell it and people will buy it.
Next: The Vault - 1980's Part II
Warehouse, New Orleans 1974 - How could I forgot the infamous live side one of "Fandango". Featuring "Thunderbird", "Jailhouse Rock" and "Backdoor Medley" the live capture and sound, especially on the remastered CD release, is pretty impressive. There is no doubt that several concerts around this time period were recorded in their entirety. I have many shows from this era but they are all recorded from the audience and have nowhere near as good of sound quality. The band was also on top of their game during the early days and shows were consistently amazing. Why not put out an audio release of a show from this period? I'm guessing it would sell quite well.
Vault - 1980's - Part One
The 80's have more video of ZZ Top than any other decade. Having returned from hiatus Bill Ham was keen on further pushing the popularity of his greatest act. Hence...
04/20/1980 - Rockpalast - a concert in the Spring of 1980 in Essen, Germany - professional filmed and transmitted throughout Europe. ZZ went on after midnight so the date is 04/20, not 04/19. This concert more than any other event got the word out about the Top. No longer were they Nationwide, they were International. An incredible performance with the group pulling out all the stops, even debuting an early pre-LP version of "Tube Snake Boogie". No surprise this was released as an official DVD. Why stop here?
1980 - Old Grey Whistle Test - Featuring a performance of "Cheap Sunglasses", this finds the group performing with no audience. Professionally filmed and great sound, but sort of a weird vibe.
04/21/1980 - Paris - One and a half days after Essen the group was again professionally filmed. What has leaked out contains about 1/2 of the concert. Good, but not great sound, and also somewhat diminished video. No question that there is a pristine copy of this show in it's entirety sitting in Billy's office. Sell it and people will buy it.
Next: The Vault - 1980's Part II
Sunday, May 1, 2011
The Vault - 1970's
What's in the Vault? What is the Vault? Who owns the Vault?
For the purpose of this entry and several entries to follow, the Vault will serve as the professionally filmed material of Messrs Gibbons, Hill and Beard. Over the years a number of concerts have been recorded and assumedly preserved for some future, although ultimately ignored, endeavor or venture. Likely due to Bill Ham's former white knuckle grip on the group very little of this material has ever been made public; what has been is not in it's entirety. More on the reasons for this later on.
Starting with the 1970's...
1976 - Video - Largo, MD
Featuring a performance of "Chevrolet" this video shows the group pre-beards and looking ever bit the part of young and hungry rising stars. Good sound and fair video make this clip highly desirable. Currently the video is easily found on Youtube via the search function.
An early 1990's documentary on the group featured live footage from this time period, in much better video and audio quality than the section available on Youtube. It is likely the documentary footage is the Largo, MD show - but then again the band were known (and still are) to wear the same stage outfit night after night. Maybe the documentary footage is from another night in '76, or perhaps later in '77 as part of the World Wide Texas Tour.
1977 - Video - World Wide Texas Tour
Some low quality audience shot material exists, with limited date and city information. Very likely that at least one concert was filmed in its entirety.
12/30/1977 - Video?? - San Antonio, TX
An above average (for the time period) audience recording exists of this show. The performance features a very early and embryonic performance of "I Thank You", two years before it would make it to vinyl. "Neighbor Neighbor" and several rarities from Rio Grande Mud are also played; it would appear either the band knew this would be one of the last shows for awhile (turns out almost two years) or Mr. Ham requested they put on a special performance for his cameras - which he has been known to do and will be discussed later.
12/31/1977 - Ft. Worth, TX - video
Average quality video and audio shows the band performing "Arrested for Driving While Blind" as the countdown to the New Year approaches. The band stops the song early and counts down with the audience, then plays "Auld Lang Syne" while hundreds of balloons drop from the venue's rafters. Very likely that more of this show was recorded and is hiding away somewhere. Sure would be nice to see it.
-----
If "Double Down Live" featuring Germany 1980 can be released in excellent quality than certainly some of the above material could be publicly sold as well. Anything from the World Wide Texas Tour would undoubtedly sell very well. This video, and other similar material, could be owned solely by Mr. Ham. Hard to tell - more discussion later.
Anyone who knows of more footage from the 1970's please comment. It wold be very interesting to know.
-----
Next time: The Vault - 1980's
For the purpose of this entry and several entries to follow, the Vault will serve as the professionally filmed material of Messrs Gibbons, Hill and Beard. Over the years a number of concerts have been recorded and assumedly preserved for some future, although ultimately ignored, endeavor or venture. Likely due to Bill Ham's former white knuckle grip on the group very little of this material has ever been made public; what has been is not in it's entirety. More on the reasons for this later on.
Starting with the 1970's...
1976 - Video - Largo, MD
Featuring a performance of "Chevrolet" this video shows the group pre-beards and looking ever bit the part of young and hungry rising stars. Good sound and fair video make this clip highly desirable. Currently the video is easily found on Youtube via the search function.
An early 1990's documentary on the group featured live footage from this time period, in much better video and audio quality than the section available on Youtube. It is likely the documentary footage is the Largo, MD show - but then again the band were known (and still are) to wear the same stage outfit night after night. Maybe the documentary footage is from another night in '76, or perhaps later in '77 as part of the World Wide Texas Tour.
1977 - Video - World Wide Texas Tour
Some low quality audience shot material exists, with limited date and city information. Very likely that at least one concert was filmed in its entirety.
12/30/1977 - Video?? - San Antonio, TX
An above average (for the time period) audience recording exists of this show. The performance features a very early and embryonic performance of "I Thank You", two years before it would make it to vinyl. "Neighbor Neighbor" and several rarities from Rio Grande Mud are also played; it would appear either the band knew this would be one of the last shows for awhile (turns out almost two years) or Mr. Ham requested they put on a special performance for his cameras - which he has been known to do and will be discussed later.
12/31/1977 - Ft. Worth, TX - video
Average quality video and audio shows the band performing "Arrested for Driving While Blind" as the countdown to the New Year approaches. The band stops the song early and counts down with the audience, then plays "Auld Lang Syne" while hundreds of balloons drop from the venue's rafters. Very likely that more of this show was recorded and is hiding away somewhere. Sure would be nice to see it.
-----
If "Double Down Live" featuring Germany 1980 can be released in excellent quality than certainly some of the above material could be publicly sold as well. Anything from the World Wide Texas Tour would undoubtedly sell very well. This video, and other similar material, could be owned solely by Mr. Ham. Hard to tell - more discussion later.
Anyone who knows of more footage from the 1970's please comment. It wold be very interesting to know.
-----
Next time: The Vault - 1980's
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