Billy Gibbons video interview regarding new album (and possible delays)

Here is a link to a new interview with Billy. Talks at length about the new album, but hints at possible new delays....

I don't think the album needs to be perfect, the more raw the better. I hope this thing is not being over produced.

 http://www.rollingstone.com/videos/new-and-hot/zz-top-billy-gibbons-on-the-bands-next-album-20111129

The lonesome trail... / Heard on the Street

Well, things are pretty quiet. I haven't really had much interesting to say recently as nothing interesting in the world of ZZ Top is really going on.

Two exciting points however. Word on the street is that:

- The new album is scheduled for March of 2012. This is almost a set in stone date.
- Appears more likely than not that ZZ will play the Rodeo in Houston in Spring '12

If you're a ZZ fan, and you want to see one of the consistently best shows that ZZ puts on, you gotta do the Rodeo thang. Could be the debut of some new songs and unique covers, just like in past Rodeo performances.

Be there or be square.

"Sajet"

Courtesy of part time blogger Senor Volto:


"Sajet"

Yup, that’s “Tejas” backwards. I fully agree with an earliest post about “Tejas” – it’s a great album featuring three musicians at the top of their game playing a diverse range of song styles. I went to give “Tejas” a listen recently and accidentally copied the songs in reverse order so the playlist started with “Asleep in the Desert” and ended with “It’s Only Love”. The reverse playlist makes listening to the album even more enjoyable. “Sajet” begins with a southwest/country flavor by starting with “Desert” followed with “She’s a Heartbreaker”. The reversed album is in full-tilt rock mode by the time “Ten Dollar Man” (complete with Dusty’s sneeze!) rolls around. Also, “Snappy Khaki” followed by “El Diablo” works very well. “Sejat” makes you wait until the very end for the payoff of the singles “Arrested for Driving While Blind” and “It’s Only Love”.

An abridged version of “Asleep in the Desert” would certainly work as opening music to a live ZZ show, and any song from “Sajet” would be right at home on next year’s tour.

This experiment might not work so well with some ZZ albums, but it’s certainly worth trying on others (Mud Grande Rio?). I’m sure the album shuffle possibilities are endless as well.

Delayed Tribute

I guess I never gave much notice or written space to the tribute album release. Partly due to frustration on new album delays and partly due to a loathing of tribute albums in general I just didn't think much about it. Thanks to a good friend I did get a copy and have given it a good listen several times now.

And...its pretty good. A very diverse mixture of artists have covered the group's hits and for the most part made them their own. Only La Grange, which Billy plays on, suffers from stagnation, simply building on the well known foundation of the song and expanding it into an eight minute jam. Wyclef John (who was very popular in my formative years) really does a number on "Rough Boy", and while his version may not suit everyone, it definitely deserves some credit for originality. And its true that even the original "Rough Boy" doesn't suit everyone's tastes, although I really dig it.

The hard rock versions of "Lovin" and "Legs" are pretty sweet too. All in all a fitting tribute to ZZ, the kings of changing the tunes from album to album but never the "sound".

If anyone has hesitated to buy the record to date you could do worse than picking the album up. I will put my official "AntennaHead stamp of approval" on it, but that is only worth as much as you give me credit for.

Rocky Hill

Rocky Hill, Dusty's brother, sadly passed away in 2009 at the young age of 62. It appears Rocky, who had significant talent, was hamstrung by personal problems that prevented him from being able to utilize his skills as a musician to greater effect. He remained an underground star, well known in the Houston and Dallas areas but relatively obscure outside of TX. He was the founding member of American Blues, from which two members would break off and later help to form ZZ Top.

Below is a link to an excellent article about the man and his recording career. It does contain quotes from Billy, the first discussion I have ever seen of Rocky from a member of the Top, but Dusty is silent. The group covered a Rocky song "I Walked from Dallas" during live shows in 1996, and upon close inspection the lyrics tell the tale of ZZ's rise to fame.

I had not picked up the album "Texas Guitar Legend" in the past but this article makes the correct argument that I have missed a gem. I will be seeking it out now.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/06/us/finally-an-album-for-a-rock-star-who-never-was.html?_r=1

Does anyone have some of his recorded works and would like to comment?