Billy F. Gibbons.....Solo?

According to an article on Jungleroom.com, Billy has begun recording tracks for his first solo album. Apparently this will be a collaboration, at least in part, with Jimi Jamison. Billy has apparently layed down basic song structures with Joe Hardy, who many fans will recognize as a longtime studio engineer that has worked with ZZ.

Okay, I'm gonna come right out and say this info is extremely questionable. I have never heard of the website source, which has however apparently been around for 16 years, and don't understand why this site would have first access to a very interesting (if true) rumor. Secondly Jimi Jamison? Never heard of him until just now, and apparently he wrote the theme song to "Baywatch". Really? Why Billy would work with him I have no idea. Black Keys yes, Jimi Jamison...no.

Billy does continue to show up on other people's albums, contributing both vocals and guitar. He seemingly still has a desire to record. Maybe his bandmates aren't interested in putting forth the effort to record? Maybe they can't agree on what sound to go for? I really dont' know, but it must be something that has prevented them from having a new album for so long. I can't really see a lack of effort from the rhythm section - after all they are willing to tour the world for months at a time every year, what's wrong with a few weeks in a studio?

I certainly would be interested in a Billy solo album, but not at the expense of a ZZ Top album. We will have to keep watching this to see if anything develops.

Here is the link to the article:

http://www.jungleroom.com/

Asleep in the Desert?

Several rumours continue to surface. Looks like ZZ will be returning to Europe in the summer, a France date has been confirmed. The euro continues to out-value the dollar, so why not? I continue to remain excited about the Australian tour - I have e-mailed several people who live there in the major cities and asked if they planning on attending any ZZ shows, so that we could hopefully get some first hand info. No one replied to me however. If anyone who reads this plans on attending one of the shows Down Under please let us know. I'll try to e-mail the contacts again as well.

I mentioned the rumor about a possible co-headlining show with Lynyrd Skynyrd in Texas but have not heard anything else. Don't know what's going on with that.

At this point any indications or mentions about the new album would be great. Can they really not be working in the studio? 2003 was eight years ago. Let's do this.

So who's going to see Kiss in Houston? .......No one?.......Yeah, me neither..... :)

ZZ Top and...Lynyrd Skynyrd?

Rumors circulating that ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd may be co-headlining a tour this year. Appears that a date together in Lubbock, TX on May 11th, 2011 is already scheduled.

I saw ZZ and Lynyrd together in Virginia in 1999. Was disappointed at the time that ZZ limited their set to only one song from their new album XXX. Hope this new rumor doesn't indicate ZZ will once again play a shorter set with little or no new material. I can't take anymore "Cheap Sunglasses" and "Pincushion".

See links below:

http://kfmx.com/zz-top-and-lynyrd-skynyrd/

http://lubbock10.cityspur.com/2011/01/16/the-next-major-concerts-set-for-lubbock-texas-lynyrd-skynyrd-zz-top-sugartown-and-little-big-town/

Hard at work, or hardly workin; Album hopes

I have heard some indications that ZZ has finally entered the studio to contribute more concrete and structured songs; songs that are believed to comprise the highly anticipated (at least among Top fans) new album. For the first time in recent memory the band doesn't have an entire year of shows already lined up. Aside from the Down Under tour running from mid to late April, there are no other scheduled dates.

I have long believed that the band needed to take a break from the road and commit to recording a new album, new music being an essential element of staying relevant and preventing boredom, both internally and externally. Without the pressure of a record deal, and perhaps the lack of guidance and encouragement from a focused manager, the group has found it easier to avoid the necessary focus and patience that recording demands.

But dwelling on missed opportunities is not particularly fun - and no need to do it further here. My hopes for a new album:

) 12 - 15 songs (apparently 30 to 40 rough tracks exist)
) two blues songs ("Fool For Your Stockings" quality, not "Cover Your Rig" weak)
) Spanish influences throughout
) sound combination of "Tejas", "Tres Hombres" and "Rhythmeen"
) more than one song with Dusty on lead vocals
) creative, technical drum work from Frank (ala "Tejas")
) virtuoso guitar work (ala "Antenna")

Any thoughts on what you would like to see?