The Rev's voice may not be holding up that well lately. It's that or beef up your band with add'l personnel for your live shows. I'm not saying it's right, but I'm no longer surprised. Other trios who I deeply respect also use backing tracks live including Rush and The Police. I've seen plenty of shows with terrible sound, but they were not one of them. There is no question they were supplementing with background tracks, but I'll maintain that the Rev had one of the best live guitar tones I've heard in a stadium setting. I've seen them twice in the past around the era of Rhythmeen and the tour before that and they had an excellent live sound. I'm kind of a late arriver to the deeper cuts of their earlier albums, but I really dig his tones on those albums, and a lot of their recent stuff too. You'd want Billy G, Pearly Gates, and a Rio Grande amp turned up to patent applied for. I read an article once where it said if the devil held your soul, and would give it back if you hit ONE great lick, and could have anyone stand in for you. Still, even their "boring" stuff is better than anything currently on the radio, MTV or in the new releases bin. With the exception of maybe 3-4 songs, they havent had a 'classic' tune in 20 years. ZZ had a hell of a run from 1970-1990, material wise. but at least in '79 they only recorded the horn section and played the guitar-bass-drums live. So I cant hold it against them completely. Plus, Billy G's guitar work is complicated and intricate at times, no easy feat to do that period, much less sing over it. no easy feat to pull off live with only 3 pieces. which isnt really their fault, since their albums are heavily multi-tracked and processed. ZZ has very, very rarely been a good live band. while waving to the crowd with BOTH hands! The worst offense I ever saw was during the Recycler tour, when Billy G was wailing a solo. they SUCK because they have faked most of the shows since '83, lip syncing to a pre-recorded show. He's also king of crafting the coolest image in the history of rock.īut. ![]() Billy G is the KING of "the lick", and the king of the minimalist blues. They are amazing.3 superbly synchronized musicians with one beating heart. ![]() These small but noticeable glitches left this reviewer glad to have seen ZZ Top for the first time, but also wishing she could have seen them in their prime.I, like anyone with good musical taste (have mercy!) LOVES ZZ Top. Gibbons’ growling, gravelly vocals stamped each tune with the band’s singular sound, yet something was missing, probably the smooth chemistry Gibbons shared with Hill.Ī couple of the songs were a little bit disjointed, and not all the transitions worked. Those tunes were full-tilt boogies-fun, fun. They went bananas for “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Legs,” in which the bearded ones swapped out their normal-shaped guitars for their trademark, squared-off instruments covered in white faux fur. After all, performing on stage is what this band has done for more than five decades, and they obviously relish it still.Ĭrowd members who came for the hits were not disappointed. “Or out of the house, the Animal Freaking House.” He was reflecting on how good it felt to be out touring after two years of being homebound during the pandemic. “ZZ Top is in the house!” Gibbons proclaimed to wild applause. The band delivered some deep cuts for serious fans, including “Pearl Necklace” with its headbanging flourish, and “Jesus Just Left Chicago.” Fans sang along lustily to “I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide” and thrilled to Gibbons’ fiery guitar solo. On Their Feet: The crowd at Meijer Gardens.
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