Welcome readers and listeners to this week's edition of The Classic Record Review hosted by my good self - Rob Samuels. Once again I find myself apologizing for my absence the previous two weeks – so here it goes… Sorry. That wasn't so hard. Anyway I hope you enjoy the column this week, you know what they say ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder' or something like that.
I may as well plug my Hall of Fame articles one more time, as I inducted both the
The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin. I'm sure you've read them by now, but if you haven't… well shame on you!
I think I've yammered on long enough so lets get down to business. Today we focus on a trio who have been playing and recording together for over forty years. They model fantastic facial hair, drive some cracking cars, and play some hilarious guitars. Oh… and they produce some damn good blues music to boot.
But who?
…
Yeah them.
…
But which album?
…
Ahhh… gotcha!
…
ZZ Top – Tres Hombres
Yet again I'm reviewing another American band you lucky devils! Although this record never reached the success in terms of sales as 1983's ‘Eliminator', ‘Tres Hombres' is the album when the band begun to hit their stride musically, and is perhaps their best work before the synthesizers took over.
The Line-up
Before we begin lets take a look at the line-up for this record:
ZZ Top:
Billy Gibbons: Lead Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica
Dusty Hill: Bass, Backing Vocals
Frank ‘Rube' Beard: Drums (Was billed as ‘Rube' on this and the bands debut albums.)
Additional personnel:
None
Production:
Produced by: Bill Ham
Engineers: Terry Manning, Robert Brians
The background
ZZ Top began in 1969, combining the talents of three experienced Texan blues musicians: Front man Billy Gibbons, Bassist Dusty Hill and the Drummer Frank Beard. It was Gibbons and Beard who created the project with the latter bringing his former ‘American Blues' band mate Dusty Hill to complete the line-up. These two formed the solid rhythm section which became a trademark of the ZZ Top sound.
Hoping to take advantage of the early seventies Blues resurgence the band begun touring, recording their first two albums on the road. It was this hectic tour schedule that put their name on the map, gaining them a dedicated fan base and emphasizing the bands Texas roots, combining solid blues music with their native wit. ZZ Top continued their non-stop tour schedule until 1973 when they began work on their third album – a record that garnered them national acclaim.
This record was the infectious ‘Tres Hombres' – which combined the bands raw Southern Blues sound with a ‘boogie woogie' Rock style they had been craving since their inception. This album was really the start of something special for ZZ Top. The Texan Trio flourished in subsequent years, setting a solid foundation for the legendary career that would follow.
Lets get cracking then.
The music
The album kicks off in style with the surprisingly funky riff to "Waitin' for the bus", a saucy little groove that sets the ball rolling nicely. The lyrics are humorous yet passionate in true ZZ Top style. The middle 8 features a nice solo on the ol' Gob Iron followed closely by some masterful guitar work. A high quality opener here that balances elements of Rock, Funk, Blues and Country perfectly.
"Jesus just left Chicago" takes us firmly down the Blues road. It features the trademarked staggered drumbeat that has become synonymous with Blues over the years. A classic Robert Johnson style guitar run follows along with some deliciously raw vocals. This track is of course built around the tried and tested 12-bar blues formula and is an obvious homage to their heroes – It even includes a lyric featuring Muddy Waters name.
We kick it up a notch with the raucous intro to "Beer Drinkers and Hellraisers" featuring some nice back and forth between Gibbons and Hill on vocals. There is nothing better than a well executed ‘call and response' - a nice nod to their musical ‘forefathers'. Unsurprisingly, we are launched into a tobacco spittin' solo that fits in perfectly with the tone of the song. Great stuff.
The dirty intro to "Master of Sparks" follows maintaining the high energy set by the previous number. This track is much more Country Rock than Blues, which once again demonstrates the versatility of the band. As is now the norm we get a gut wrenching solo in typical Gibbons style before the song moves back to the verse with ease.
The amusingly entitled "Hot, Blue and Righteous" is an unexpected track, as it is written in a pleasantly mellow tone. The vocals are soulful yet raw, maintaining that delightful Texas twang that you expect from a ZZ Top record.
"Move me on down the line" is a high tempo Rock number that has a bit of a Rolling Stones feel to it actually. I'm not suggesting they were an inspiration, but the similarities are certainly there. This song is a good mix of some delicate riffs with a pacey, driving rhythm. A nice up shift in momentum.
The ludicrously raw "Precious and Grace" takes us back into full on ZZ Top mode. A typically dirty blues-rock number that you expect from this band. It does feature some nice Slide Guitar, which I love to hear used effectively by a Southern band. The record has shifted up a gear, perhaps in anticipation of the next track…
"La Grange" is probably the albums crown Jewell, a track that masterfully combines the bands blues-rock edge with the obvious John Lee Hooker undertones. We even get a deep "A-how-how-how-how" on vocals just to make sure you know the score. This song is the ultimate in Boogie-Woogie-Honkie-Tonk-Blues-Rock (That's a lot of Hyphens!). If you have not heard this song you need to be taken out side and given the ‘Old Yeller' treatment.
"Sheik" is next up, and cunningly shifts the tempo down a notch as we are reaching the end of the album. The way Tres Hombres flows from beginning to end is extremely impressive. Shittin' hell we've got WAH WAH people. Funkay. Another example of ZZ Top's ability to adapt and modify their style – a talent that has allowed them to have such a long and fruitful career.
Our album closer is the classic blues stylings of "Have you heard", which is again driven along by the aforementioned staggering drumbeat. The vocals have an interesting gospel feel to them which provides an interesting contrast in styles, another nod to their early Blues and Soul influences. A nice way to end the record.
The 411
Another really fun record this week. Some excellent raw Blues Rock is combined masterfully with soulful moments and light-hearted lyrics. It's a triumph that the band can balance the numerous styles within this record and produce some excellent music to boot.
Obviously Tres Hombres' is a must have for any ZZ Top fan, and in the grand scheme of things their ability to put a Rock twist on a classic Blues sound is something that is worth hearing. If you're a fan of the Grandfathers of Blues then I'm sure this record will appeal to you.
Therefore I bestow:
Five well, ZZ Top's out of Five (It's an amusing pic).
Thanks for reading, and feel free to comment if you feel so inclined. I have also written a blog if you are interested in such things, which is on my profile page. Just click the link below if you want, no pressure – honestly.
Warmest Regards,
Rob ‘Two Penneth' Samuels.
