In a world of change, there are only three constants: death, taxes, and ZZ Top
Mercy Mercy Me
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Low Down in the Street
An extensive update to cover all the happenings and events on the "street":
-----
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
-----
"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.
-----
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
-----
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.
-----
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".
-----
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/
-----
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!!
-----
"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.
-----
A number of rumors and hints about the new album can be complied from those in the know. Here is what's circulating:
-----
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
-----
"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.
-----
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
-----
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.
-----
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".
-----
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/
-----
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!!
-----
"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.
-----
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.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
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.
- 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.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Photo shot
Many may have seen Dusty's facebook entry recently indicating they had a photo shot with famous rock photographer Ross Halfin. More info regarding the event can be found on Ross' website.
Halfin had this to say:
"A day at Aperture Studios Miami shooting ZZ Top for various things. It was a creative day and they were so easy".
Photos of Billy at the band's Hollywood FL performance can be found as well. Even with the watermarks, Ross is overly protective of his shots - don't bother trying to right click anything. If he doesn't make any money you're not going to be allowed to enjoy it...
http://www.rosshalfin.com/diary/june-2012/diary-june-2012.php
Halfin had this to say:
"A day at Aperture Studios Miami shooting ZZ Top for various things. It was a creative day and they were so easy".
Photos of Billy at the band's Hollywood FL performance can be found as well. Even with the watermarks, Ross is overly protective of his shots - don't bother trying to right click anything. If he doesn't make any money you're not going to be allowed to enjoy it...
http://www.rosshalfin.com/diary/june-2012/diary-june-2012.php
Monday, June 11, 2012
Gotsta Get Paid on the Radio / BFG’s Road Reports
Senor Volto, coming at you today:
I just heard Gotsta Get Paid on the radio today on Sirius XM Outlaw Country. Although I’ve listened to the song lots of times already, it was really cool hearing new ZZ Top on the radio!
If you have Sirius XM, be sure to check out BFG’s Road Reports on Sirius XM’s Outlaw Country. The Report tonight was a quick blurb about where they are playing (St. Augustine, FL) followed by a plug for the “4 song digital download from the upcoming album Texicali”. So maybe that’s the name of the full album?
More info at: http://www.siriusxm.com/OUTLAWCOUNTRY
Schedule of Road Reports:
Billy F. Gibbons “Gang of Outlaws” Road Reports 6 pm ET on Fri. 6/1, Tue. 6/5, Wed. 6/6, Fri. 6/8, Tue. 6/12, Fri. 6/15, Tue. 6/19, Wed. 6/20, Fri. 6/22, Tue. 6/26, Wed. 6/27 Fri. & 6/29 Rock & Roll Hall of Famers ZZ Top are currently headlining the “Gang of Outlaws” tour with Three Doors Down and Gretchen Wilson, and the band’s legendary guitarist Billy F. Gibbons will be providing “Road Reports” prior to each show exclusively in Outlaw Country. (5 min).
Friday, June 8, 2012
New Music Video???
Pretty solid rumors indicate the band may have recorded a music video to support the new single "I Gotsta Get Paid". It was available on Youtube yesterday for about 20 minutes before it was removed by the owner. Nothing too extravagant, mostly the band playing and singing in front of basic backgrounds. Keep an eye out.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
06/05/12 Richmond, VA Show Review
Setlist:
- Thank You
- Bus
- Chicago
- Pincushion
- X
- Gimme
- Vincent Price
- Heaven, Hell or Houston
- My Head's in Mississippi
- Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers
- Stages
- Sharp Dressed
- Legs
Encore:
- La Grange (with Sloppy and BarBQue)
- Tush
Random thoughts somewhat composing a paragraph review:
Missed opener Gretchen Wilson...Three Doors Down is talented but not my cup of tea...ZZ came on at 8:50 PM...unseasonably cold weather, low 60's (F), usually low 70's (F) at night...Outdoor venue, filled to the maximum, likely 10,000 or so in attendance, great to see...Wide range of ages in the audience, very enthusiastic...Band's tour buses were parked beside the left side of the venue, Dusty's trailer in plain sight behind his impressive means of transportation...Gang of Outlaws intro theme, pretty cool, went over well with the crowd...Opened with Thank You, crowd loved it, Dusty's vocals too low in the mix ( a complaint throughout the show)...Straight into Bus/Chicago, Dusty's bass very loud and prominent, a good thing...Billy missed quite a few notes / bad chords / late chord changes, but only on the first few songs, after Chicago he improved (significantly)...Pincushion, ever a part of their arsenal, sounded good and featured a confident outro solo from BFG...X was cool to hear again, crowd recognized it right away and sang along...Gimme in an unusual position, very nice to hear this outside of the other Eliminator hits...Vincent Price, simply fantastic, extremely cool and dynamic solo from Billy - almost thrashing in nature - quick leads interlaced with power chords - highlight of the night, crowd more or less did not know what song it was but were very happy with the end result as noted by the applause...Heaven, Hell or Houston, great to hear as a dedicated ZZ fan, great boogie solo from Billy and awesome vocals true to the El Loco sound...Mississippi - finally played in it's entirety, great extended solo and powerful drumming from Frank...Beer Drinkers was confident in its swagger and the band obviously enjoyed jamming to it, audience banged their heads up and down in a sign of approval...Stages surprisingly was greatly appreciated by the fans both young and old, young kid beside me was playing air guitar the whole time, many have questioned this being included in the show but it is played very well...Sharp again had a strong solo from Billy...Legs unremarkable...as usual very short encore wait, maybe 2 minutes...Customary La Grange but Sloppy and BarBQue was great to hear again...Customary Tush, Dusty sounded good but still too low in the mix......
Highlights:
- After getting warmed up Billy really came alive. Some of the best playing I have heard from him in a long time. Awesome. Vincent Price, Vincent Price, Vincent Price...
- Dusty's vocals need to brought up, appears he can still sing well so why not let the fans hear him?
- Set list is a welcomed refreshing change. If you have not seen the band in a few years go this year
- Billy was making Elwood work at the beginning, motioning to him and speaking to him during songs multiple times
- Frank was steady as ever, pounding away and keeping the beat
- Pablo failed to catch the pint of liquor which crashed to the stage floor, but failed to break. Strange...
- Dusty, during the middle part of the set, hung out close to the drum riser, grooving away
- Set list needs another Dusty song
- Frank's dog made his appearance during the band bow
*** Texicali ***
I Don't Understand...
...Why no mention, absolutely no mention, of Texicali was made. No physical EP available for sale, no new songs played, no mention from Billy about the release. Why not? This was the same day the EP came out. The fans were soaking up every moment of the band's performance and were putty in the band's hands, why not push the new songs, they could have sold out of copies at the show and many more would visit iTunes when they got home.
This makes no sense. I am not a publicist and don't claim to be, but to me not promoting your new work is crazy.
Overall:
Great show, fantastic playing from Billy, band is having a great time, set list is nice in its changes.
Go see them this tour if you can.
- Thank You
- Bus
- Chicago
- Pincushion
- X
- Gimme
- Vincent Price
- Heaven, Hell or Houston
- My Head's in Mississippi
- Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers
- Stages
- Sharp Dressed
- Legs
Encore:
- La Grange (with Sloppy and BarBQue)
- Tush
Random thoughts somewhat composing a paragraph review:
Missed opener Gretchen Wilson...Three Doors Down is talented but not my cup of tea...ZZ came on at 8:50 PM...unseasonably cold weather, low 60's (F), usually low 70's (F) at night...Outdoor venue, filled to the maximum, likely 10,000 or so in attendance, great to see...Wide range of ages in the audience, very enthusiastic...Band's tour buses were parked beside the left side of the venue, Dusty's trailer in plain sight behind his impressive means of transportation...Gang of Outlaws intro theme, pretty cool, went over well with the crowd...Opened with Thank You, crowd loved it, Dusty's vocals too low in the mix ( a complaint throughout the show)...Straight into Bus/Chicago, Dusty's bass very loud and prominent, a good thing...Billy missed quite a few notes / bad chords / late chord changes, but only on the first few songs, after Chicago he improved (significantly)...Pincushion, ever a part of their arsenal, sounded good and featured a confident outro solo from BFG...X was cool to hear again, crowd recognized it right away and sang along...Gimme in an unusual position, very nice to hear this outside of the other Eliminator hits...Vincent Price, simply fantastic, extremely cool and dynamic solo from Billy - almost thrashing in nature - quick leads interlaced with power chords - highlight of the night, crowd more or less did not know what song it was but were very happy with the end result as noted by the applause...Heaven, Hell or Houston, great to hear as a dedicated ZZ fan, great boogie solo from Billy and awesome vocals true to the El Loco sound...Mississippi - finally played in it's entirety, great extended solo and powerful drumming from Frank...Beer Drinkers was confident in its swagger and the band obviously enjoyed jamming to it, audience banged their heads up and down in a sign of approval...Stages surprisingly was greatly appreciated by the fans both young and old, young kid beside me was playing air guitar the whole time, many have questioned this being included in the show but it is played very well...Sharp again had a strong solo from Billy...Legs unremarkable...as usual very short encore wait, maybe 2 minutes...Customary La Grange but Sloppy and BarBQue was great to hear again...Customary Tush, Dusty sounded good but still too low in the mix......
Highlights:
- After getting warmed up Billy really came alive. Some of the best playing I have heard from him in a long time. Awesome. Vincent Price, Vincent Price, Vincent Price...
- Dusty's vocals need to brought up, appears he can still sing well so why not let the fans hear him?
- Set list is a welcomed refreshing change. If you have not seen the band in a few years go this year
- Billy was making Elwood work at the beginning, motioning to him and speaking to him during songs multiple times
- Frank was steady as ever, pounding away and keeping the beat
- Pablo failed to catch the pint of liquor which crashed to the stage floor, but failed to break. Strange...
- Dusty, during the middle part of the set, hung out close to the drum riser, grooving away
- Set list needs another Dusty song
- Frank's dog made his appearance during the band bow
*** Texicali ***
I Don't Understand...
...Why no mention, absolutely no mention, of Texicali was made. No physical EP available for sale, no new songs played, no mention from Billy about the release. Why not? This was the same day the EP came out. The fans were soaking up every moment of the band's performance and were putty in the band's hands, why not push the new songs, they could have sold out of copies at the show and many more would visit iTunes when they got home.
This makes no sense. I am not a publicist and don't claim to be, but to me not promoting your new work is crazy.
Overall:
Great show, fantastic playing from Billy, band is having a great time, set list is nice in its changes.
Go see them this tour if you can.
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