Live ramblings - Eliminator, Afterburner, Double Down...

Last year the 25th Edition of the "Eliminator" album was released, containing the original "Legs" and a handful of live tracks. While a few complained that the sound of the live tracks was less than optimal, the fact they were included was a selling point, and a very worthy addition to the release in my opinion. It also indicates Billy and the band have a number of shows in the can in very good quality. The shows where the cuts were taken from have been available in trading circles for years, and while good, did not have the quality of the "Eliminator" release. If "Double Down Live" sells well, which I anticipate it will, maybe the band will be persuaded to release other shows or compilations, or actually have a web site worth visiting where these shows could be downloaded, for free or a small fee.

So will "Afterburner" receive the 25th Anniversary treatment? This album is a unique one, and serves as the Mason-Dixon line for many fans. Some like ZZ up to but excluding "Afterburner", and some like the band starting with "Eliminator" and then moving forward. I personally like almost everything the band has done, with the somewhat puzzling exception of "Deguello". "Afterburner" is a great album, the band's second best selling as a matter of fact. The tours in support of the album were also very good, and saw the band at the height of their popularity. Maybe Billy can find some live versions of "Sleeping Bag" and "Delirious" and add those to a remastered copy.

Anyway, there has been a slight lull in touring activity, and the band is supposed to be in the studio working on the next record. They will begin again in September. Check out http://www.lowpft.com/, an excellent site, for touring schedules and setlists.

Have Mercy!

Tracks from the Far East and beyond

Okay, each of the four RCA albums (Antenna, Rhythmeen, XXX and Mescalero) contain a bonus track on the Japan editions. If I recall correctly I believe this is to encourage the Japanese consumer to purchase the Japanese release as it can often be cheaper for them to find the English version, whether from import stores or through the internet. There are a total of six tracks that are not on the standard albums, these comprise:

Everything (Antenna)
Isn't Love Amazing (Rhythmeen)
Ninja Shack (XXX)
Sanctify (Mescalero)
Mary's (Breakaway single)
Stop Breakin' Down Blues (What's Up With That single) - cover, not an original song

I own copies of each, with the exception of "Everything". I haven't found the right price on that yet.

Anyway, this are all generally outstanding songs, with the exception of Mary's. It's bad, really bad. But hey, that's just my opinion.

I'll occasionally write about each of these, sort of a review. Also how each meshes with their respective album.

First up, "Isn't Love Amazing" from Rhythmeen. Amazing track from an amazing album. I can't imagine listening to this 1996 masterpiece without the bonus song. Very simple in structure, verse-chorus-verse-chorus- guitar solo (45 seconds, give or take) - verse-chorus - outro solo (1 min 30 sec, give or take) - drum solo (!). Lyrics are typical nonsensical latter day ZZ - intriguing but simplistic. "Ferociousness is all she craves, precociousness don't get me laid" - sounds awesome when you sing it, but I can't find a definition for the word that makes sense to the song. "She got something best of all, and it put my yah-yah gainst a wall" - you get the idea. The best part is the outro solo - like the rest of the album Dusty lays down a low, low bass rythym while Frank hits the cymbals. Billy rips it up with timely blues licks and brings it full circle with a sustained, distorted note that he bends and releases several times - sounds awesome. Dusty and Billy drop out and Frank continues with a 10 second drum finale, completed by Billy's enthusiastic and maniacal laugh and shouts of "oh yeah! oh yeah!".

The track fits the album perfectly. It you can find it for a good price (think Ebay) then pick it up. You will love it.

ZZ Top plays it dangerous

Looks like ZZ is mixin it up a little bit:

Set List: Anaheim House of Blues: 08/20/2009 (Courtesy of Totally Unofficial ZZ Top Tour Blog at http://zztopeurope2007.blogspot.com/)

Under Pressure
Waitin' for the Bus
Jesus Just Left Chicago
Pincushion
I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide
Future Blues
Cheap Sunglasses
Mexican Blackbird
I Need You Tonight
Brown Sugar
Foxy Lady
Just Got Paid
Gimme All Your Lovin'
Sharp Dressed Man
Legs

Encore
Tube Snake Boogie
LaGrange/Sloppy Drunk/BBQ
Tush

Awesome to see "Brown Sugar" in the set. This is an excellent song and the band always does a great rendition. I don't believe it's been played since early 2007. The song kicks and is always played with enthusiasm from the band.

Also good to see "Mexican Blackbird". The band usually keeps it loose on this and chugs through the beat.

I'm excited and hopeful the Top will try to mix it up every few nights and have some fun.

If anyone finds any recordings for these smaller shows please let me know! I have lots to trade!

ZZ Top - Full Steam Ahead

Okay, so Aerosmith is done. For the year. Maybe forever, hopefully not. It would seem that band needs to have a sit down and work some things out.

Either way, ZZ is alive and well.

Dates have been scheduled to comprise a club tour, with smaller venues, many House of Blues locations. The first date is tomorrow, 08/18, in Redding, California. Billy has stated the show will be "no frills and no holds barred". Maybe the informality of the tour will spill over into their live show, and the band will dust off some old numbers. That is something I think every fan would like to see.

It is also rumoured the band will be entering the studio at some point in the next four to six weeks to work with producer Rick Rubin. I imagine little in the way of finalization will take place, however some experimentation and jamming, possibly song structuring, along with concept brainstorming, is a distinct possibility.

Then comes the Double Down Live Tour on 10/08 and the subsequent release of the Double Down Live set.

This would appear to be an exciting time. As fans lets enjoy the ride. As you know, all trains stop rollin eventually.

What if...

Ever think about what your favorite band's ideal set list would be like:

~~~~~~ZZ Top set list to end all set lists~~~~~~~~

Sleeping Bag
Planet of Women
Nasty Dogs and Funky Kings
It's Only Love
Pretty Head
El Diablo
Just Got Back From Baby's
Sure Got Cold After the Rain Fell
It's So Hard
Antenna Head
Precious and Grace
Piece
My Head's In Mississippi
Mescalero
Hairdresser

Encore:
Poke Chop Sandwich
Ten Dollar Man
Loaded

No Legs, Tush, Gimme, Sharp, Bus/Chicago, Pressure, Tube, Sunglasses, Nationwide, or La Grange. I've got to be honest, just taking out Bus/Chicago would be great, the only time I think they didn't play it was on the Continential Safari in '96. But hey, if these are the songs the band enjoys playing more power to them. I just think they have a fantastic back catalogue that they could lean on a little more often.

New uncirculated ZZ Top recording / Live Top

This year has proven to be a good one if you're into live Top. A number of improved lineages of existing shows and several uncirculated concerts have made an appearance this year. Live ZZ is something of an enigma, there is a lot out there but it is much harder to find than say Zeppelin or the Rolling Stones.

Look for torrent cites online that only share unreleased live music. Don't download official recordings, support the bands. There are a lot of traders out there too.

Recently an uncirculated (to my knowledge anyway) recording of ZZ in Alpine Valley, Troy WI (09/03/1983) came out. It has renditions of both "I Need You Tonight" and "Fool For Your Stockings", two blockbuster blues tunes in the band's catalogue. I haven't yet had an opportunity to listen to it, but I will soon.

ZZ live can be very routine and predictable (especially in the post 1997 to today period). But there are a great number of shows where rarely played songs or extended jams take place. I'll try to hit on these unique shows as the blog progresses.

ZZ Blues

Aerosmith / ZZ Top Tour over?

I greatly enjoy Aerosmith. 1994's Get a Grip album was awesome. I even enjoy the 80's pop ballads "What It Takes" and "Angel". Based on this I was more positive regarding ZZ opening for Aero than other fans of the Top were. I figured it would allow ZZ to cater to and play in front of individuals that may otherwise not hear ZZ live.

It would appear the Train, for now, has stopped rollin'.

Mr. Tyler fell off the stage at a show in Sturgis, SD while dancing. Steven has always been an enthusiastic and dancing lead singer, and it seems he got a little too excited and a little too unaware of the size of the catwalk platform. So he fell off and fractured his shoulder. Based on all the complications and injuries Aerosmith has dealt with on this tour, I would assume this is the final straw. I would not expect the tour to continue.

So what does ZZ Top do with their new found time. I would propose they are reviewing their plans for the Double Down Live tour. This would also be a fantastic time to get into the studio while the band is hot and lay down some basic song structures for the new album.

Unfortunately it does not look like ZZ will occupy Madison Square Garden or the L.A. Forum this year. That's okay though. The band has a strong dedicated fan base who will always be at the ready to see and hear the next show.

Best wishes for recovery to Mr. Tyler.