Solo album ~ ZZ Top album

In response to the recent rumor of a pending Mr. Gibbons' solo album a fan quickly, and rather correctly, pointed out that Billy already had a solo album - Eliminator.

In a collaborative effort with an uncredited producer (a long story more fit for it's own post) Billy slowly removed both Dusty's and Frank's contributions to the rough draft of Eliminator. In the case of Frank he was replaced with sequencers and drum machines. In Dusty's case his bass parts were replaced by lines laid down by Billy. That technical bass work on "Thug" - that's Billy. Dusty couldn't get it right, at least according to Billy at the time.

Initially Frank took great offense to being replaced by what he thought to be another drummer. When Billy explained it was a drum machine, not another player, Frank reluctantly relented. Dusty didn't seem to mind, at least he didn't verbalize any complaints. Billy could now lay down his virtuoso guitar licks with a perfect rhythm section. It could be theorized that this approach was partly the result of Billy's dissatisfaction with Frank's playing on "El Loco" and the apparent decline in Frank's skills, resulting from a decrease in practicing after he got off drugs and alcohol.

Based on Billy's increasing influence on the production of ZZ's albums starting in the early 90's (check out the album credits) and decline in Bill Ham's participation it seems clear that Billy has been the driving force ever since Eliminator, with one exception. "Rhythmeen" was a significant return to the old way of recording, with the band sitting together in the studio and playing the basic song structures live. The result was arguably the greatest record since "Tejas".

So its likely a Gibbons' solo album would sound a lot like a ZZ Top album. Maybe like Mescalero. Which isn't a bad thing. But a great thing would be another record like "Rhythmeen" - something that can only happen when the band works together as a unit, all members are physically present in the studio at the same time, and all three contribute ideas and sounds.

Let's see what happens.....