Is a new ZZ Top record a "ZZ Top" record?

Since around the time of El Loco (and possibly Deguello) ZZ Top has had outside musicans contribute, both musically and creatively, to their albums. These musicans are, with a few exceptions, not credited for their work. Excluding Eliminator, which has a relatively well known issue of major contributions coming from an uncredited producer (enough info on that for a blog entry by itself), Afterburner all the way through to Mescalero likely feature varying degrees of uncredited players. I would be very surprised to find out that Dusty is actually the one playing all those keyboards and synthesizers on "I Got the Message" and "Doubleback".

But the purpose of this writing is not to speculate on who played what and how much this or that person contributed to a track, but rather to address the apparent decrease in the band working as a consise, united and creative force. Around the time of Deguello Dusty and Frank, tired of being second tier to Billy, requested to be treated equally with regard to writing credits for each song. Henceforth each song was attributed to Gibbons/Hill/Beard. And it stayed that way until Antenna, where all songs except four were attributed to the band (four were credited solely to Billy). With each subsequent album however there are less attributed to the three and more to Billy and individuals working in the studio (soundmen, producers, etc.). Mescalero had only two tracks (if you count the Japanese bonus song) attributed to the actual band members.

Now I don't really believe that Dusty and Frank contributed to every song on El Loco or Afterburner or Recycler - my point is they are likely becoming less and less interested in ZZ Top, as a viable entity anyway. It seems that Billy still actively writes and certainly records, as evident through his work with other artists. As previously mentioned he likely has 40 to 50 songs in various stages of completion. However Dusty and Frank seem to show little interest in being in the studio and recording. And with 1) Billy being the only writer, and 2) the propensity of so many other people to play instruments on their albums, just how much is a new ZZ Top record really a "ZZ Top" record? Just how wide is the line between a Billy solo album and a ZZ Top album? Was Mescalero a Billy solo album?

I'm likely overthinking it, as a big fan tends to do. The band has probably always operated this way to some degree since the very beginning, and the process is just continuing. Still I would rather see a lot of Gibbons/Hill/Beard than a little.

ZZ Top - second Spring tour date announced

Looks like ZZ may indeed be touring with Lynyrd Skynyrd this year. A second date (after Lubbock TX on May 9th) has been announced: May 20th in Big Flats, NY.

I'm thinking about attending this show. If anybody is going and would like to meet up send me a message.

Anybody heard anything regarding the new album? Are recording sessions taking place?

Here is a link to the tour date announcement:

http://www.bravewords.com/news/157577

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.....

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?