ZZ Top – Live From Texas

zz-top-texas.jpg

They’re baaack!

Full of blues, boogie and an ice-blue stage set, ZZ Top is back on the scene with its first full-length live album called Live From Texas.

I know it came out in 2008 and you’ve probably seen clips of the DVD on VH1 Classic already but I figure what’s the hurry? They’ve been around for 40 years and it’s a collection, so I took my time reviewing it.

Before I proceed, here’s my disclaimer: I have loved ZZ Top since first hearing “La Grange” on AM radio in Wilmington, Ohio back in 1974. Is it not one of the toughest grooves ever? I even had the single of “Tush” with the cartoon picture sleeve that showed the girl being leered at by some guy who had one thing on his mind.

zz-top-tush.jpg

Who knows where it is now, but the point is that I go way back with these guys and they have always been tops in my book. Except for those post-Eliminator years in the 80s when they felt a strange need to cash in at the expense of their longtime fans by releasing crappy albums and remastering the back catalog in the form of the Six-Pack

Time heals all wounds and so I am back open-minded and ready to rock.

It’s hard to believe that aside from one side of the incredible Fandango album, the Top has not released a proper live album. I have a few bootlegs that would certainly have been suitable, and we’ll get to one of those in my next installment of “It’s A Bleedin’ Board,” but for now, it’s on to Texas.

Sixteen songs that span their career and only one dud in the bunch (which happens to be one of Matt’s favorite songs. Oh the ignorance of youth…)

Opening with “Got Me Under Pressure,” this set comes full-speed right away. Frank Beard, the beardless one, is up front and pounding the drums with authority as he always has. The awesome medley of “Waitin for the Bus/Jesus Just Left Chicago,” is followed by “I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide” and Cheap Sunglasses” before we catch our breath.

The first of two gems from the underrated El Loco album is “Pearl Necklace,” introduced by Dusty with the proper amount of innuendo and encouragement from the crowd.

Next up is my all-time favorite ZZ tune, “Just Got Paid.” This is the Reverend Billy G stepping away from the pulpit and laying it down as no one else can. This dude is still BADASS.

“Rough Boy” is the afore-mentioned dud and so we’ll move quickly to another old school standard, “Blue Jean Blues.” You classic rockers out there know that this one never grows old.

The 80s reappear with the three cash cows from Eliminator, “Gimme All Your Lovin,” “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Legs.” They still sound good even though Billy and Dusty sound pretty creaky on vocals.

The closers are the killer trio of “Tube Snake Boogie,” the gold standard of Texas boogie, “La Grange,” and “Tush.”

Yes, time has taken a bit of a toll on these guys. The most noticable difference is in the vocals which are worn but not worn out. However, name me a rock band whose vocalists are over 60 years old that hasn’t suffered at least a little bit. I’m grateful that they aren’t tuning down a key or two to compensate and embarrassing themselves.

Instrumentally, they are as tight as ever and that’s what makes them worthy 40 years out.

If your next party on the patio is need of some old-school blues/rock/boogie, then grab this album. If you’re old enough to have forgotten some great parties but remember that ZZ Top was the soundtrack, then you need to get Live From Texas as well.

Purchase ZZ Top Live From Texas – On DVD, Blu-Ray, and CD/MP3

28 Comments on “ZZ Top – Live From Texas

  1. Because of life rhythm accelerated and working pressure increased so that people to pursue a Amare Stoudemire shoes relaxed, carefree mood in the spare time.They wont suffer trend while seeking a comfortable, natural new packing. Just introduce some websites for you about natural new packing you can go and see.

  2. hey there and thank you for your info – I have certainly picked up anything new from right here. I did however expertise a few technical points using this site, as I experienced to reload the site many times previous to I could get it to load correctly. I had been wondering if your web host is OK? Not that I am complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will often affect your placement in google and can damage your high quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords. Anyway I’m adding this RSS to my e-mail and can look out for much more of your respective fascinating content. Ensure that you update this again very soon..

  3. You should add these thing for tthe healthy Breakfast
    Whole grains like Rolls, bagels, cereals, low fat bran muffins, crackers, or Melba toast, Low fat protein such as peanut butter, lean meat, poultry or fish, or boiled eggs, Dairy like milk, yogurt and low-fat cheeses, such as cottage and natural cheeses…..

  4. Aw, it was an exceptionally fine post. In concept
    I have to set up writing similar to this moreover – spending
    time and actual effort to manufacture a excellent article… however so what can I say… I procrastinate alot
    and also no indicates have the capacity to go done.

  5. When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments have been added- checkbox and already each time a
    comment is added I get four emails using that the same comment.

    Possibly there is which is you’ll have the ability to remove me from that service?
    Thanks!

  6. Oh my goodness! a fantastic article dude. Thanks On that
    the other hand We’re experiencing issue with ur rss .
    Do not identify why Struggle to sign up for it. Can there be
    anyone getting the same rss query? Anyone who knows kindly respond.

    Thnkx

  7. This is actually serious, You’re a particularly professional blogger.
    I have signed up with your feed furthermore watch for enjoying all of your incredible write-ups.
    In addition, I’ve got shared your webpage with our social networks.

  8. I discovered your blog web site on google and check a few of your early posts.
    Proceed to keep up that the excellent operate. I just additional
    up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Searching for ahead to studying extra from
    you later on!…

  9. Hello. Greatfantasticsplendidimpressivemagnificentexcellentremarkable job.

    I did not expectimagineanticipate this. This
    is really a greatfantasticsplendidimpressiveexcellentremarkable story.
    Thanks!… You made certain excellent points there.
    I did a search on that the subject matter and found that the
    majority of folks will have the same opinion with your
    blog….

  10. You’re making a whole lot of great points during this blog post but it can be very challenging in my opinion to concentrate on this article on that
    the complicated page design.

  11. Jane wanted to recognize though your girl could certain, the cost I only informed her
    she had to hang about until that the young woman seemed to be
    to old enough. On that the other hand that the truth is, in which does not figure out your
    girlfriend to counteract using picking out her very own incorrect body art terribly your lady have been generally something like me.
    Citty design

  12. That the next occasion I read a weblog, Lets hope it doesnt disappoint me as much because that
    one. I am talking about, I recognize it was my technique to
    read, but I really thought youd have some thing fascinating to mention.
    All I hear is actually a number of whining about something you could fix
    when you ever werent too busy searching for attention.

  13. Thank you for another informative website. Where else may I determine that kind of info written in such a perfect line of attack?

    I’ve a challenge that I am just now operating on, and I are on that the
    glance out for such information.

  14. Nice post. I determine some thing more challenging on diverse web sites everyday.

    It will always be stimulating to see content using their business writers
    and rehearse a tiny there. I’d opt to utilize some with the content in my blog regardless of whether you don’t mind.

    Natually I’ll give out you a link on your own internet weblog.

    A lot of thanks sharing.

  15. I am curious to find out what blog platform you are through
    the use of? I’m experiencing some small security
    problems with my latest blog and I’d for instance to lookup for something
    more safe. Do you have any other suggestions?

  16. Hey there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my myspace group?
    There’s a whole lot of people that I think would actually appreciate your content.

    Please let me identify. Thanks

Comments are closed.