The grapevine describes the upcoming Jeremiah Weed commercial:
Unsuspecting and surprised consumers walk into the cooler section of a convenience store to find ZZ Top playing a song from their new album ("25 Lighters").
The commercial should be debuting very soon. Keep on the look out.
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Billy has indicated that "25 Lighters" will almost certainly make the set list when the tour begins on May 25th. I would wager one more song will come in as well - possibly "Flyin High", who knows.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Tour Announced; "25 Lighters"; Thoughts
As you have problem seen ZZ announced the first leg of the "Gang of Outlaws" tour that begins May 25 in New Hampshire. Apparently the official press release hints that a few songs from the new album will make it into the set list. They better not be talking about "Future Blues" (which is on the new album) - it has been played for years. I truly hope some new ones make an appearance - ZZ needs to aggressively promote the new record. No better way than to do it on the road.
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Does anyone know where to find the actual tour press release? I have only seen summaries in the press.
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"25 Lighters", new album track and upcoming promotional song for Jeremiah Weed, has yet to surface to my knowledge. I check the web every few days...Anybody seen or heard anything yet?
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I'm going to go out on a limb and saw that I'm 95% confident the new album will finally arrive this year. Billy has stuck his neck out too far in recent weeks. If the album didn't come out the band would suffer a big blow to their credibility, and the ensuing frustration could turn off fans on ever buying the record, for good this time.
----
Does anyone know where to find the actual tour press release? I have only seen summaries in the press.
---
"25 Lighters", new album track and upcoming promotional song for Jeremiah Weed, has yet to surface to my knowledge. I check the web every few days...Anybody seen or heard anything yet?
---
I'm going to go out on a limb and saw that I'm 95% confident the new album will finally arrive this year. Billy has stuck his neck out too far in recent weeks. If the album didn't come out the band would suffer a big blow to their credibility, and the ensuing frustration could turn off fans on ever buying the record, for good this time.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Odds and Ends; Questions and Theories (...how many more years?)
Jeremiah Weed is about to debut a new marketing campaign for their whiskey product. The advertisements will feature a song from ZZ's new album, "25 Lighters". It is unknown at this time what different mediums will be involved: TV, internet, radio, etc. A link with more details is here:
http://www.billboard.com/column/sxsw/sxsw-2012-10-things-seen-and-heard-friday-1006495552.story
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ZZ is set to announce a 30 date US trek. They will be touring alongside Three Doors Down; it is still unknown if Gretchen Wilson will be in for the long haul. The tour actually has a formal name, but I can't remember right now. I believe it is the "Outlaws" tour.
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Billy has made several playing appearances since the Rodeo. Two or three dates in Austin as well as playing at Rachael Ray's annual bash that takes place during the South by Southwest Festival (SXSW).
Apparently Billy is good friends with Rachael and has been for years.
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Billy has been promoting his soon to debut line of barbecue sauce, as well as a new brand of beer. I would first check his personal website for info - hopefully the prices aren't outrageous. I'll likely give them a try.
---
Much detailed discussion is coming up, to include:
1st Question: Why do ZZ always tour with new bands these last few years?
Theory: Because they do not want to play full 80 minute sets anymore, demand is down, and they need an attractive incentive for people to keep seeing them year after year.
2nd Question: Why is ZZ's album still being delayed?
Theory: Rick Rubin holds the tapes. ZZ doesn't have proper management. ZZ is not that interested about new music anymore. *If the album is not released by July, do not look for it to be released this year at all - they will not release a new album without a full year of tour dates to promote it.
3rd Question: How long will ZZ still play and tour?
Theory: I would say three years is a good guess. Billy will stay in the public eye for as long as his health will allow, but Dusty and Frank are likely thinking of the day when they can disappear and enjoy a slower pace of life.
4th Question: How many more albums will ZZ release?
Theory: One. It has already been recorded. See question 2 above.
http://www.billboard.com/column/sxsw/sxsw-2012-10-things-seen-and-heard-friday-1006495552.story
---
ZZ is set to announce a 30 date US trek. They will be touring alongside Three Doors Down; it is still unknown if Gretchen Wilson will be in for the long haul. The tour actually has a formal name, but I can't remember right now. I believe it is the "Outlaws" tour.
---
Billy has made several playing appearances since the Rodeo. Two or three dates in Austin as well as playing at Rachael Ray's annual bash that takes place during the South by Southwest Festival (SXSW).
Apparently Billy is good friends with Rachael and has been for years.
---
Billy has been promoting his soon to debut line of barbecue sauce, as well as a new brand of beer. I would first check his personal website for info - hopefully the prices aren't outrageous. I'll likely give them a try.
---
Much detailed discussion is coming up, to include:
1st Question: Why do ZZ always tour with new bands these last few years?
Theory: Because they do not want to play full 80 minute sets anymore, demand is down, and they need an attractive incentive for people to keep seeing them year after year.
2nd Question: Why is ZZ's album still being delayed?
Theory: Rick Rubin holds the tapes. ZZ doesn't have proper management. ZZ is not that interested about new music anymore. *If the album is not released by July, do not look for it to be released this year at all - they will not release a new album without a full year of tour dates to promote it.
3rd Question: How long will ZZ still play and tour?
Theory: I would say three years is a good guess. Billy will stay in the public eye for as long as his health will allow, but Dusty and Frank are likely thinking of the day when they can disappear and enjoy a slower pace of life.
4th Question: How many more albums will ZZ release?
Theory: One. It has already been recorded. See question 2 above.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Seeking Rodeo Recordings
I am very interested and actively seeking recordings of the following:
ZZ Top - Houston Rodeo - 2007
ZZ Top - Houston Rodeo - 2009
ZZ Top - Houston Rodeo - 2012
If you have a recording or can help me obtain one I am willing to trade up to 10 shows, memorabilia, official merchandise, currency, whatever.
Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
ZZ Top - Houston Rodeo - 2007
ZZ Top - Houston Rodeo - 2009
ZZ Top - Houston Rodeo - 2012
If you have a recording or can help me obtain one I am willing to trade up to 10 shows, memorabilia, official merchandise, currency, whatever.
Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Rodeo Roundup
Houston, Texas. That place is a serious force to be reckoned with. Millions of people, millions of cars and thousands of miles of asphalt. Thanks to the unique lack of zoning laws Houston has been able to expand, grow and sprawl at an unclipped rate, the result of no need to cut through the red tape and await clearance, grants and approvals from various commissions. While this has resulted in sometimes unnecessary traffic congestion and questionable locations of various businesses and "clubs", it also has encouraged an extremely deep and diverse mixture of cultures, influences, music and entertainment. The city, like New York, does not appear to sleep.
Having never been to Houston or Texas for that matter some stereotypes were true, but most were false. There are an overabundance of trucks with only one occupant in the vehicle, where a car would seemingly make more sense. ome of the health habits of the population are cringe worthy. And it is humid, even in March. But the people, contrary to some opinions, appear to be very nice. Manners and chivalry are respected and encouraged, and our out of town plates did not seem to entice any unwelcomed behavior from Texans. Everyone seemed to get along and everyone appeared to be relaxed with low stress levels, remarkable considering the amount of pressure the city can put on you.
Perhaps a stereotype that was in full force was that Texans are proud. They love Houston, they love rodeos, they love Texas, and they love ZZ Top. 55,000+ people turned out to watch the Top's show, and the applause after each song was louder than any encore demand I have heard in any other city. Dusty only had to cock his head ever so slightly, as he did just prior to the Roulette introduce to "Viva", to be met with rapturous approval. This being the 8th time I have seen them play, I had never seen them shine brighter, be more relaxed, smile as much, or jam as hard as I saw them at the rodeo.
As briefly mentioned in my initial impressions Billy especially was animated, creative and spontaneous - more than I have ever seen or ever heard among the 100 or so shows I have on tape from year 2000 and on. He and the band obviously wanted to impress, please, stun, and reinforce their deservedly high place in Tejas culture.
As hoped and anticipated the group worked hard to pull off some rare numbers. In the past having recalled Johnny Cash and Hank Snow, this time Country and Western staples from Blind Blake and Johnny Paycheck were brought to the stage. With the subdued but perfectly supportive acoustic guitar of Jamey Johnson, along with his fitting lead vocals, combined with the twang of Elwood's steel guitar, the five piece unit maintained the individual contributions of each member (as the three piece Top does) yet combined to present a pleasingly smooth and authentic southern country sound. If you have ever wondered how ZZ would sound with another instrument in the mix this is evidence of how the sometimes thin live sound of the band would be fleshed out. At this point it would be blasphemy to add another musician on stage, but thirty years ago perhaps it could have been explored.
It does need to be said that the rodeo itself, featuring multiple varying competitions from bull riding to carriage races to mutton bustin, is likely to entertain anyone with an open mind. While I would not travel to Houston just to see a rodeo by itself, there is no doubt that many people do, as the sport is very popular and faithfully followed by many in the Southwest and Midwest regions of the US. And if I do ever go to another ZZ Houston show I will look forward to the rodeo as a vital part and highlight of the trip.
Also very enjoyable, yet unfortunately all too unusual, was the abundance of fans who have an educated knowledge of the band. Unlike seeing performances in rural Pennsylvania or beach towns in Virginia, where spectators yell out "Cheap Sunglasses" ever two minutes, Houstonians appreciated every minute of the rodeo performance, and no stupid comments or requests were picked up by my years. Also the diverse range of age groups and mix of T-shirt and hat memorabilia showed that these individuals had followed the band through every curve and studder step their music had taken - not having listened only to Eliminator and Afterburner, but to Rio Grande Mud, El Loco and XXX. How refreshing.
If you have not already please check YouTube for the multiple videos of each song, with varying audio and visual quality. The images reinforce the massiveness of the arena, capable of holding 80,000 plus spectators. Just like the saying goes everything is bigger in Texas and Reliant Stadium is on the larger end of American venues. The sound was surprisingly better than I expected, given the extremely challenging acoustics of such a performance hall.
I do have a few videos of the show however the quality is average and the clips are relatively short, due mostly to a failure to bring back up batteries for the HD camera. YouTube has the good stuff, thanks largely to the efforts and time commitments of fellow good hearted Top followers.
Having had the opportunity to see the show with both family and good friends was especially rewarding, and the memories of the trip will certainly be preserved in my mind for as long as I roam this circular venue. As some may have seen there have been some recent articles about the continued delay in the new album, now rumored to be appearing in June at the earliest, and these rumors will be addressed in future blog entries, along with theories on the reason for the delays and thoughts on the lack of any new songs being performed at the rodeo.
A new album would truly prove, for the long term, that the band is still an active and evolving force. But Thursday March 8th did prove, if only for one night, that ZZ was alive and well, and still that Little Ol' Band from Texas.
Having never been to Houston or Texas for that matter some stereotypes were true, but most were false. There are an overabundance of trucks with only one occupant in the vehicle, where a car would seemingly make more sense. ome of the health habits of the population are cringe worthy. And it is humid, even in March. But the people, contrary to some opinions, appear to be very nice. Manners and chivalry are respected and encouraged, and our out of town plates did not seem to entice any unwelcomed behavior from Texans. Everyone seemed to get along and everyone appeared to be relaxed with low stress levels, remarkable considering the amount of pressure the city can put on you.
Perhaps a stereotype that was in full force was that Texans are proud. They love Houston, they love rodeos, they love Texas, and they love ZZ Top. 55,000+ people turned out to watch the Top's show, and the applause after each song was louder than any encore demand I have heard in any other city. Dusty only had to cock his head ever so slightly, as he did just prior to the Roulette introduce to "Viva", to be met with rapturous approval. This being the 8th time I have seen them play, I had never seen them shine brighter, be more relaxed, smile as much, or jam as hard as I saw them at the rodeo.
As briefly mentioned in my initial impressions Billy especially was animated, creative and spontaneous - more than I have ever seen or ever heard among the 100 or so shows I have on tape from year 2000 and on. He and the band obviously wanted to impress, please, stun, and reinforce their deservedly high place in Tejas culture.
As hoped and anticipated the group worked hard to pull off some rare numbers. In the past having recalled Johnny Cash and Hank Snow, this time Country and Western staples from Blind Blake and Johnny Paycheck were brought to the stage. With the subdued but perfectly supportive acoustic guitar of Jamey Johnson, along with his fitting lead vocals, combined with the twang of Elwood's steel guitar, the five piece unit maintained the individual contributions of each member (as the three piece Top does) yet combined to present a pleasingly smooth and authentic southern country sound. If you have ever wondered how ZZ would sound with another instrument in the mix this is evidence of how the sometimes thin live sound of the band would be fleshed out. At this point it would be blasphemy to add another musician on stage, but thirty years ago perhaps it could have been explored.
It does need to be said that the rodeo itself, featuring multiple varying competitions from bull riding to carriage races to mutton bustin, is likely to entertain anyone with an open mind. While I would not travel to Houston just to see a rodeo by itself, there is no doubt that many people do, as the sport is very popular and faithfully followed by many in the Southwest and Midwest regions of the US. And if I do ever go to another ZZ Houston show I will look forward to the rodeo as a vital part and highlight of the trip.
Also very enjoyable, yet unfortunately all too unusual, was the abundance of fans who have an educated knowledge of the band. Unlike seeing performances in rural Pennsylvania or beach towns in Virginia, where spectators yell out "Cheap Sunglasses" ever two minutes, Houstonians appreciated every minute of the rodeo performance, and no stupid comments or requests were picked up by my years. Also the diverse range of age groups and mix of T-shirt and hat memorabilia showed that these individuals had followed the band through every curve and studder step their music had taken - not having listened only to Eliminator and Afterburner, but to Rio Grande Mud, El Loco and XXX. How refreshing.
If you have not already please check YouTube for the multiple videos of each song, with varying audio and visual quality. The images reinforce the massiveness of the arena, capable of holding 80,000 plus spectators. Just like the saying goes everything is bigger in Texas and Reliant Stadium is on the larger end of American venues. The sound was surprisingly better than I expected, given the extremely challenging acoustics of such a performance hall.
I do have a few videos of the show however the quality is average and the clips are relatively short, due mostly to a failure to bring back up batteries for the HD camera. YouTube has the good stuff, thanks largely to the efforts and time commitments of fellow good hearted Top followers.
Having had the opportunity to see the show with both family and good friends was especially rewarding, and the memories of the trip will certainly be preserved in my mind for as long as I roam this circular venue. As some may have seen there have been some recent articles about the continued delay in the new album, now rumored to be appearing in June at the earliest, and these rumors will be addressed in future blog entries, along with theories on the reason for the delays and thoughts on the lack of any new songs being performed at the rodeo.
A new album would truly prove, for the long term, that the band is still an active and evolving force. But Thursday March 8th did prove, if only for one night, that ZZ was alive and well, and still that Little Ol' Band from Texas.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Initial Rodeo Report
Well, another Houston Rodeo show is in the books. I will have a full report with photos and video in the coming days. As of now I am still in Texas and over 1200 miles from home, so the final write-up will come later. But here are some details:
Set List:
- Got Me Under Pressure
- Bus / Jesus
- Pincushion
- Nationwide
- Gimme All Your Lovin
- Sharp Dressed Man
- Legs
- Viva Las Vegas
- Eleven Months Twenty Nine Days (Johnny Paycheck cover), with Jami Johnson and Elwood
- I'm in the Jailhouse Now (Blind Blake cover) with Jami Johnson and Elwood
- La Grange with Jami Johnson
- Tush with Jami Johnson
Initial impressions.....Billy's playing was very fluent, excellent licks and energy.....Pincushion featured a unique outro solo showcasing Billy's inclination to experiment.....Outro show on Nationwide seemed extended - longer than usual.....Dusty received strong applause both prior to and after "Vegas".....The two cover songs are of Country and Western flavor....Jami sang all vocals on "Eleven Months".....Jami played acoustic on all numbers he participated on....Elwood played pedal steel on the two covers......Dusty and Jami sang lead vocals on "Jailhouse Now" with Billy yodelling.....Band left the stage in a convertible that circled the stage and was flanked by motorcycles.....Houston's beloved sons.........
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Set List:
- Got Me Under Pressure
- Bus / Jesus
- Pincushion
- Nationwide
- Gimme All Your Lovin
- Sharp Dressed Man
- Legs
- Viva Las Vegas
- Eleven Months Twenty Nine Days (Johnny Paycheck cover), with Jami Johnson and Elwood
- I'm in the Jailhouse Now (Blind Blake cover) with Jami Johnson and Elwood
- La Grange with Jami Johnson
- Tush with Jami Johnson
Initial impressions.....Billy's playing was very fluent, excellent licks and energy.....Pincushion featured a unique outro solo showcasing Billy's inclination to experiment.....Outro show on Nationwide seemed extended - longer than usual.....Dusty received strong applause both prior to and after "Vegas".....The two cover songs are of Country and Western flavor....Jami sang all vocals on "Eleven Months".....Jami played acoustic on all numbers he participated on....Elwood played pedal steel on the two covers......Dusty and Jami sang lead vocals on "Jailhouse Now" with Billy yodelling.....Band left the stage in a convertible that circled the stage and was flanked by motorcycles.....Houston's beloved sons.........
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