Highlights and Lowlights of the 2012 Tour - Part One

2012 Tour - Part I


Highlights:
1) Rare tunes!!! The additions of "Vincent", "Stages" and "Houston" are fantastic! Excellent to hear these rarely played gems and in the case of "Houston", a brand new and most obscure chestnut.
2) Elimination of tired tunes!!! No "Sunglasses", no "Nationwide, no "Pressure"! Finally, a band that has been together over 40 years has learned that they have written more than these three songs.
3) New video. Brand new footage shot for the vast majority of songs, with an extensive opening sequence properly setting the mood for the good time to follow.
4) Billy's vocals. They have continued to deepen and increase in raspy tones that it now sounds almost perfect, like they finally moved down a full octave back into proper key. His singing is bluesy and fitting of each tune, both live and on Texicali.
5) No trilogy sequence. Moving "Gimme" to a spot earlier in the set list is a simple, yet extremely refreshing and exciting change.

Lowlights:
1) No Texicali songs. So far. All signs point to yes when asking the question "will they play some new tunes in Europe this summer?" The rare tunes made up for this glaring omission, but upon their return to North America in the fall and the scheduled impending release date of the new album, to not play any of the new stuff would be criminally insane.
2) Dusty's vocals. This is a touchy subject. Dusty is giving it is all, like he always has, and his bass playing continues to be tone, taste and tenacious. But the sound crew is mishandling his singing - he either needs to be brought up in the mix, or needs to accept the aging of his voice and sing in a lower register.
3) Encores. They broke up the trilogy, now break up Grange>Tush. Close the main set with "Grange" - then play:  new song > "Viva" > "Tush". Or something like that. Just make the encore more unpredictable. Maybe mix it up amongst three or four songs from night to night. Keep it exciting, both for the band and the audience.

When in Europe I Gotsta Get Paid

So, if you read between the lines in the below linked article, it appears that 20 minutes of backline video footage will be added at the start of the European tour. Having disclosed the fact that footage was recorded for Texicali, it appears that the additional time will be dedicated to at least one or two of the new tracks. This is good news as many are frustrated at the lack of promotion coming from the band in support of an EP that is overwhelmingly deemed to be fantastic by the masses.

http://www.westseattleherald.com/2012/07/09/features/new-zz-top-tour-features-west-seattle-talent

I will post set lists from the Euro tour as they are confirmed.

The Tale of "25 Lighters" aka "I Gotsta Get Paid"

Courtesy of Senor Volto here is a link to an extremely interesting article, pertaining to ZZ's hit new single:

http://m.classicrockmagazine.com/news/murder-drugs-and-cough-mixture-the-hip-hop-roots-of-zz-tops-new-single-revealed/

Looks like the new issue of Classic Rock Magazine, on sale July 18th, will feature an in-depth interview with ZZ, hopefully containing lots of info about the new album. Make sure to look for it.

Pleaser...Teaser...

Check out the riff at the 0:15 second mark.....Crowd wants it but they don't play it. I can't stand it, I just can't stand it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cX7Tc6X4dlk&feature=share

Caption indicates the video recorder was holding up a Texicali poster and Billy responded...sort of...

It Is Written

In a world of change, there are only three constants: death, taxes, and ZZ Top

Mercy Mercy Me

Low Down in the Street

An extensive update to cover all the happenings and events on the "street":

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First up, here is a link to a most recent and very interesting interview article with BFG. He comments on the new album release date, working with Rubin, and what would happen if ZZ ever broke up.

http://theadvocate.com/utility/homepagestories/3108745-129/zz-top-prepping-for-release

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"Flyin High" version 2.0 made its debut at the Hollywood, FL 2012-06-12 show, during the pre-show PA music. It is said to contain an even more streamlined pop beat (not sure how that is possible) with new vocals. Impressions have been positive. I have not heard it so I cannot comment. It may be fruitful to check YouTube to see if anyone picked up a recording of it - somewhat unlikely though as most people only record the main show.

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Billy has branched out on his own as "Billy Gibbons and Co." to record a tribute track on the Fleetwood Mac compilation "Just Tell Me That You Want Me". Along with Blake Mills and Matt Sweeney he digs into a very riff heavy version of "Oh Well" with Billy's subdued and now common gruff vocals. Sounds great. This would never have happened with Bill Ham at the helm.

"Oh Well" can be heard here:

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/song-premiere-billy-gibbons-and-co-oh-well-20120621

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The "Meet and Greet" continues to devolve. In the earlier days (1980's) it served as a vehicle for ZZ to keep a connection and relationship with their fans, in the face of rapidly increasing fame and popularity. Today however there are many rules - no personal items can be presented to the band to autograph, no conversations with the group, no more than one photos, and now no handshake. Appears that the lines are being instructed that at a recent show a fan was a bit overzealous and shook hands a little to aggressively, putting the next show in jeopardy. A handshake is not a big deal but the argument can be made both ways - a fan doesn't have to shake hands with the band but then again its not hard for the band to add a small personal touch and a respectful recognition that the fan spent a large sum of money to meet his or her favorite group.

Taking the amount of money the Meet and Greet costs and combining it with the ever increasing rules and insulting nature of the event, I'm gonna go on record and say in my opinion its not worth it. It's offensive to have to pay money to not even be allowed to exchange small talk with the group. Milking fans for extra coin is not a way to endear yourself to your following, both newbies and die-hards alike.

But...some people really enjoy the Meet and Greet, which is cool, to each their own. Whatever floats your boat.

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John I. attended the Nashville show. Here is his report along with some fantastic photos:

There is really nothing earth shattering to report from last night's show. It was exactly the same set list as the ones you guys attended. BFG didn't bring out the Melody Maker guitar. The only thing of note was the camo bass that Dusty surprised BFG with during the encore. There was no album signed from the audience. Started at 9:55 and ended at 11:10. It was a great show. I personally think that most of the crowd had never heard "Vincent Price Blue" or "Heaven Hell or Houston". Out of the 8-9k that were there I would bet me and 3 more know those tunes. Some of the crowd were screaming for "Just Got Paid" and"Pressure".

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Also courtesy of John I. is a link to a very interestng audio interview regarding the 1973 classic "Tres Hombres". Check it out:

http://www.inthestudio.net/online-only-interviews/zz-top-tres-hombres-pt3/

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Road reports continue to come in detailing a revitalized and energetic Top. It is most pleasing that the band has stuck with the rarities rather than trading them in for generic "Sunglasses" and "Nationwide". First hand accounts indicate the crowds are enjoying the rarities, no doubt due to the band's aggressive, professional and bombastic take on them. As I said before this is a great year to see the group if you have avoided the last few tours due to the staleness that had taken hold. Viva ZZ Top!!

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"I Gotsta Get Paid" and other new songs have not made it into the set list. Current theory is that the single will be brought into the rotation when they head over to Europe and are no longer sharing the bill with other bands. Let's hope so - the group really needs to promote the new album to get the word out and receive the appreciation and respect this new album deserves.

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A number of rumors and hints about the new album can be complied from those in the know. Here is what's circulating:

- Extensive revision has been taking place and continues on a number of previously thought finalized tracks

- At one time to feature 10 songs, it now will likely hold 12 - 14 tracks

- In addition to Dusty's cover of "Future Blues" he will have lead vocals on another tune

- The entire album was set to be called "Texicali" but in light of the EP with the same name this could

potentially cause problems, thus a new name is being

considered

- "Chartruese" is the first song in my knowledge to have songwriting credits of "Gibbons/Beard". To

this end Hill and Beard are supposed to be more involved in the writing of the songs - see Mescalero

for how much Gibbons had taken over. Ultimately songwriting credits across the album will include

about 10 people as contributors.

- Release date is set to be late early October - unfortunate that they cannot strike when

the iron is hot. If the album is not released by the end of November, don't look for it until Spring

2013.

On tap for the weekend

Little busy with life lately hence the few posts this week. Stay tuned, full update this weekend to include:

- Tales from the Road: onsite and in-person reports on St. Augustine and Nashville
- Billy branches out on his own
- Archive radio interview on the making of "Tres Hombres"
- The devolution of the "Meet and Greet"
- Inside report from a source that has heard the new album, in its entirety

Check it out, all on Saturday 2012-06-23.