!!!! Billy Speaks.... !!! / !!! ZZTop.com - another change !!!

Gibson published an online article yesterday featuring some new information and sound bites from Billy concerning the new album. The feature can be found here:

http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/News/zz-top-0728-2011/


Indeed the new info is very exciting. Great to finally hear some song titles. "Have a Little Mercy" sounds like a winner to me,  and "Chartreuse" is a high brow and historic brand of French wine known for it's assertive flavor (extra piquant if you please!). I'm not completely sold on "More Slower Blues" which apparently features one chord over and over, but if it is more "Stockings" than "Rig" count me in.

It is also good news to see that Joe Hardy was again involved in the sessions, as he undoubtedly contributes creatively and enthusiastically to the band's recording. It also is obvious the band takes his input seriously as he has received songwriting credit in the past.

I for one am very glad some of the sessions took place in Houston, as they should. I raise a questions: does anyone else wonder if just Billy and Rubin worked and recorded in Malibu, while the band as a whole along with Rubin recorded in Houston?

I have touched on the subject of the band's songwriting process in the past. As the RCA era progressed Dusty and Frank received less and less songwriting credits. Check out Mescalero - Dusty and Frank are only credited on two songs ("Kid" and "Sanctify"). In order for this to feel like Tres Hombres with a touch of Eliminator the whole band must have been involved in the writing process. If this album is again dominated by Billy's ideas the album will sound like Eliminator with a touch of Tres Hombres. Do you know what I mean?

Needless to say this is a very exciting time to be a Top fan. This may indeed serve to be the last new album so we as fans must relish every moment. Tell your friends. Buy the music magazines that hopefully come out with articles about the new album. Buy the vinyl copy, buy the compact disc copy, buy the T-shirt. Enjoy this moment.

It would be very exciting if Billy started dropping hints about the new album at their upcoming USA shows, which begin July 31st. Even better would be to play a new song or two, but that would blow my mind.

I can't wait to hear what's in store.

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Check out the website ZZTOP.com   -  another change - the Mescalero has new information for you!