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ZZ Top - Live from Texas Audio CD

A fair review of the ZZ Top "Live from Texas" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all ZZ Top reviews here, or go back to the ZZ Top tabs.

ZZ Top Band: ZZ Top
Title: Live from Texas
Rating:
Release Date: 2008-11-04
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Got Me Under Pressure 2: Waitin' for the Bus 3: Jesus Just Left Chicago 4: I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide 5: Cheap Sunglasses 6: Pearl Necklace 7: Just Got Paid 8: Rough Boy 9: Blues Intro 10: Blue Jean Blues 11: Gimme All Your Lovin' 12: Sharp Dressed Man 13: Legs 14: Tube Snake Boogie 15: Grange 16: Tush

very good
It arrived quickly after the order. After seeing The band live, I was very anxiuos to order this cd.


texas boogie
they had a good time making this recording, and they can still make it happen! the years of playing together shows as this tight trio bring that texas boogie to the masses, and does a damn fine job of doing it!.


Great full live album!
Live from Texas is the first time they have released an entirely live album and the results are smokin'! All of the songs you want to hear, and a couple you might not expect, are included. ZZ Top has released a couple of albums in the past with a few live tracks mixed in with studio tracks. The band's tightness allows the album to rock and flow and every track is delivered with precision. Billy Gibbons' guitar work is always amazing, and it sounds great on this CD, while Dusty Hill and Frank Beard supply the rythym that makes ZZ Top chug and burn with their own signature sounds. There is also a DVD release of this CD, which I saw on TV and won't leave you disappointed, either.


Hugely disappointing
When I put this in I had to check the settings because I could not believe how dull and flat this recording sounded. Wow, what a huge disappointment. I was very disappointed how lackluster this project sounds. If there was excitement at the live gig, it sure did not translate well to the recording. One song, don't even remember which one now, Frank Beard's hi-hat was so overwhelming I just couldn't skip it fast enough. That was such a huge distraction. Avoid this at all costs. Live does not equal good. .


THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU WAIT TOO LONG
The band seems like a ghost of their old razor-sharp, fiery selves in spite of a genuine effort to come across as energized and relevant. At long last, ZZ's first proper live album -- over 30 years after the band was formed!! The question is, do they even sound like ZZ Top anymore? Not much, I hate to say. Oh, and then there's that awful sound quality. ZZ is going to have to dig up some live material straight out of the glory day vaults to make up for this stinker.

First the vox. Listen to the samples and ask yourself if this is Gibbons singing -- that raspy, wiry voice filled with subtle tonalities has been replaced by a Tom Waits monotone gruff empty of all range. And it's like that on all the songs. I thought they had on a guest singer!! The trademark Gibbons vocals are gone, shot down the ages, and what remains is seldom recognizable. The exception is "Legs" which by this point sounds awkwardly strained and tremulous and, like the album itself, comes too late. Hill sings on a couple of occasions and while he's conserved his vocals better, they don't play off Gibbons' voice any more. Hill sticks out like a sore thumb whenever he opens his mouth.

And now the sound. It ain't great. It's mushy, echoey, and cluttered. Sound separation is inadequate and the result is frustrating. Even the playing lacks finesse. It just bulldozes on.

And finally the question. Why the heck did the boys put this off for so long???? This is a shadow of their former prowess and presence. It's a colossal example of a missed opportunity. Such a letdown.

They'd better have live material in the vaults. . . or else one of classic rock's best live acts will go down in history as sounding like plank of wood hitting the floor in an echo chamber. Or worse still, they'll think we fans were nutters for raving about ZZ at all! .


You can see a complete list of all ZZ Top discography, or go back to the ZZ Top tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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