ZZ Top | Live in Germany 1980
by Trevor Portz
Staff Writer
While the rock world anxiously awaits the arrival of new ZZ Top material (including the track that was supposed to have debuted on the space shuttle and didn’t), the band has at least decided to tide fans over with an archival live release. A growing trend amongst the older rock crowd, these “from the vaults” albums generally prove very entertaining and are a great throwback to the days when rock bands ruled the airwaves. Unfortunately, however, Live in Germany 1980 features not only a sub-par recording, but a fairly lackluster performance by one of rock’s longest running trios.
Recorded before the band’s mega ’80s success with Eliminator, Live in Germany 1980 instead captures ZZ Top’s bluesy rock roots without the pop polish. The classic rock radio staples are all present; “Cheap Sunglasses,” “Waiting for the Bus,” “La Grange,” as are many of the band’s deeper tracks, such as the hilariously titled “Arrested for Driving While Blind.” But while the songs themselves may be classics, the performances are far less enjoyable.
Some of the issues can be blamed on the source tape (which warbles fairly often at times and boasts a very dry, seemingly untouched soundboard mix), the band also lacks the tightness they would achieve in future years. Sure, this is real and raw, and blues rock isn’t about technical perfection, but it seems more should have been expected from a band of this stature, which, even at this point, was far from new to the game. Even during the high-energy closer “Tush,” a major guitar error ultimately distracts from the enjoyment of the song. Sure, in a true live environment there will be mistakes, but in this case it’s hard not to lust for a good, old-fashioned studio repair. This recording is also a reminder of how different Mr. Gibbons sounds live versus in the studio. He somehow loses all his gritty coolness in the live environment.
So while diehard fans will surely lap this up and enjoy reminiscing about the band’s per-commercial days, casual fans would be better off listening to the studio albums. Or, alternatively, holding out for a new album and tour that will [hopefully] properly celebrate the band’s legacy.
Genre: Blues Rock
Band:
Billy Gibbons (g,v)
Dusty Hill (b,v)
Frank Beard (d)
Track Listing:
1. El Degüello
2. I Thank You
3. Waitin’ for the Bus
4. Jesus Just Left Chicago
5. Precious and Grace
6. Manic Mechanic
7. Lowdown in the Street
8. Heard It on the X
9. Fool for Your Stockings
10. Cheap Sunglasses
11. Arrested for Driving While Blind
12. Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers
13. La Grange/Sloppy Drunk/Bar-B-Q
14. Dust My Broom
15. Jailhouse Rock
16. Tush
Label: Eagle Rock
Website: www.zztop.com
Hardrock Haven rating: 4.8/10