ZZ Top - Live at The Marquee, London, October 16 1983

Things are quiet mostly, although the Top did get back on the road last night. Good time to review a show.

The Marquee, London October 16, 1983

Performance: 10
Enthusiasm: 10
Sound: 7+

From the beginning you can tell this is a smaller venue. Sounding as if they are playing in front of 10 people, Billy walks up to the mike and utters a few words. Immediately they launch into "Thunderbird". Rarely played during this period, and always awesome to hear. Great opener and a sign of the loose structure to follow. Next up is "Got Me Under Pressure" played with strength and vitality. 1983 is the last year where Billy really ripped it up and shredded his guitar, playing with amazing speed and fluency. His yells and shouts off mike indicate his excitment. Followed closely by "I Got the Six". Arguably the most suggestive song in the band's arsenal. Not something you would want to hear 60 year olds play, but at the time the boyzz were 34. Short and punchy. Apparently someone in the audience encourages the band to do some sit-ups (?). Billy replies "How bout Waitin for the Bus" and immediately launches into the tune. After "Jesus Just Left Chicago" the next surprise is "Francine". Again a rarely played gem during this tour and period, the second half is sang in Spanish, just like the single back in 1972. Awesome. "Sharp Dressed Men" is played with a sharp and intricate solo. You'll notice this is the last song from Eliminator played during the concert, and notably absent is "TV Dinners" and "Gimme All Your Lovin". "Legs" was not played until 1985. Dusty lights it up on "Heard It On the X". Billy introduces some blues and "I Loved a Woman" is sang with gusto by Dusty. Billy quotes "He doesn't do that every night" but that's a stretch as the song was played often during the autumn of '83.

Next is the single best, and most unique, version of "Pearl Necklace" I have ever heard. The song is normal in its performance until the 2:25 minute mark, where the hammer drops. What follows is over three minutes of pumping, driving, aggressive jamming from all three members. Frank pounds out the rhythm with force (his playing throughout the show is excellent) and Billy goes back and forth between single lead and power chords. One of the most spontaneous moments in the band's history I have come across. Normally the song's abrupt stop occurs around 3:40 minutes, but the end this time doesn't drop until approx 5:45. Hell yeah.

Billy lectures the crowd: "You don't have to be polite to us tonight...God-dammit...we came here to tear this house down". "Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers" comes out strong, but as usual this song is short and rushed. "Arrested For Drivin While Blind" is one of my favorite live tunes, and this version doesn't disappoint, stretched in it's usual fashion. "Party On The Patio" features Dusty at his lyrical and theatrical best.

Encores consists of "Tube, Jailhouse, Grange and Tush". "La Grange" is played very aggressively, and Billy rips it up. "Tush" has Dusty giving it his all, and he screams his head off at the finale.

*****
Many fans lament the Eliminator tour, touting it as the beginning of the end of the band's classic live sound and feel. I agree the music, Billy's comments, the atmosphere and personal connection of the show, and the sound changed permanently around this time. But this particular show, in this small venue, sounds like ZZ from 1977. Again Billy yells and screams off mike throughout the show, and his playing is lightning quick. In conclusion, this show rocked. Have mercy.