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Post subject: ZZ Top-Concert Review-Now With Pictures!!
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2012 12:37 pm
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Lady Armadillo and I took the Armadillo 'Tween to see ZZ Top last Friday night...Lady Armadillo has seen the Boyzz about three or four times (each time with me), but this was the first time for the Armadillo 'Tween. This was probably my tenth time seeing the band.

We chose this venue (a Native American Tribal casino in Thackerville, OK) to bring Armadillo 'Tween to see ZZ Top based on a friend's assessment that there was "tighter security" that didn't allow the random bare breasts and excessive drunkenness that sometimes occurs at such concerts...their assessment was right--security was very visible and present but not overly intrusive. To commemorate her first live ZZ Top experience, I bought Armadillo 'Tween one of the chrome "ZZ" keychains that figure so prominently in their videos. Lady Armadillo bought me a really cool t-shirt that had the "Texicali" EP cover on the back.

Cameras were not allowed, but between my small digital camera and a member of our entourage's (there were six of us in total) better-quality camera that we smuggled in, we got a few random shots (to be posted later).

Up next: Notable Aspects of the Show

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Last edited by Screamin' Armadillo on Fri Oct 26, 2012 11:48 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: ZZ Top Last Friday Night--Concert Review
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2012 12:39 pm
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Some notable aspects:
BFG played cleaner (less distortion) than I had ever heard him play in any concert setting...don't get me wrong, he still had overdrive, distortion and fuzz going on at various moments in the show, but the over-saturated grind that has been typical in the last decade-and-a-half was toned down considerably. It seems that the "DRUMS-BASS-FUZZY GUITAR" era that started with the "Rhythmeen" album has come to a close. It was a nice change...his picking and chord definition was clearer, and I was once again impressed by his technique. The man can play!

Dusty is singing better. A few years ago, he had some severe inner ear issues that greatly affected his voice, and frankly, some of the shows in that time period were "dicey" in relation to his vocals (which really upset me because I've always loved Dusty's voice and most of the songs he sings).  This time around, though, his vocals were tighter, with better pitch control and tonality...he sounded excellent. Of course, his "Rhino-farting-into-a-trash-can" bass playing was as amazing as ever.

Frank Beard is just awesome, period. I still say he's one of the most creative and solid drummers in the history of rock & blues. Lady Armadillo noted that he is in awesome shape for a guy in his sixties.

Billy didn't change guitars much, compared to some of shows I had seen in the past--
--Custom-made Esquire-style axe with a single mini-humbucker in the bridge position, adorned with a chrome University of Texas Longhorn logo tailgate badge (as seen in the "Gotsta Get Paid" video and the Jeremiah Weed commercial); Dusty played a matching bass version of this guitar (as seen in the aforementioned video). It had a Telecaster body and similar cosmetic appointments to Billy's six string. The bass had controls and a pickup reminiscent of a '51 Precision (as most of his instruments do).
--a red Les Paul w/pinstriping (for slide)
--Square-bodied white "fuzzy" guitar & bass for "Legs" (looked like Bo Diddley's axes with fur).
--A vintage-looking sunburst Gibson Melody Maker. Billy introduced it as "my first guitar"; I don't know if he means his literal "first guitar" or just a similar axe...he has stated his first guitar and amp were a Gibson Melody Maker and a small tweed Fender (Champ?), so who knows? This guitar looked stock and put out a much cleaner tone than the Les Paul or the Esquire-esque axe mentioned above.
--Surprisingly, no Gretsch Billy-Bo Jupiter Thunderbirds or sunburst "Pearly Gates" Les Paul copies...

Up next: The Stage and The Show

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Post subject: Re: ZZ Top Last Friday Night--Concert Review
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2012 12:41 pm
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There were a few cool-looking silver-sparkle tuck-n-roll Kustom PA speaker cabinets strategically placed around the stage (probably just as props).

Three screens on stage showing clips from original MTV videos, an ongoing "story" video of a girl who steals a classic hot rod somewhere out in the desert that would pop up  recurringly throughout the concert, pastiche videos (most were films of sleazy oddball vintage sideshow performers or educational films from the 40's and 50's)  as well as a live video feed from the ongoing performance.

As I mentioned earlier, I've seen the band many times, the first time being at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas in 1990...this show was kinda cool because they played a few classic songs that I had never heard them play live ("Stages", one of the best songs from my least favorite album ZZ Top album, "Afterburner"), some songs you rarely hear live ("Vincent Price Blues", from one of my mostest favoritest albums, "Rhythmeen"), and two songs off the new "La Futura" album...this is the first time I've ever heard them play two new album tracks during a tour.

The set list (mostly complete--I might have missed a song or two):

I Thank You
Just Got Paid
Waitin' For The Bus--Jesus Just Left Chicago
Gimme All Your Lovin'
Gotsta Get Paid
Heard It On The X
(Blues Riffing/Vamping)
Vincent Price Blues
My Head's In Mississippi 
Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers
Pincushion
Chartreuse
Stages
Sharp Dressed Man
Legs

Encore:
Tube Snake Boogie
La Grange/Sloppy Drunk/BBQ
Tush

It was an excellent show, better than a few I had seen them play, but not the best, either (that would have been the all-day "Fandango!" festival in Dallas about six years ago)...but overall, this was a great experience.

...and it made the Armadillo 'Tween happier than a pig in mud, so it was a wonderful night.

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Post subject: Re: ZZ Top Last Friday Night--Concert Review
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2012 12:43 pm
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PS--There was a half-interesting opening Redneck Southern Rock act called "Cadillac Black". A three-piece band with guitar, drums and a lap steel player. Surprisingly, their sound didn't lack for the low-end usually provided by a bassist. After the show, I was able to talk to the lap steelist (?) and he said he split the signal from his two fattest strings into a bass amplifier, which provided the low-end rumble we heard in the audience. To be honest, he and the drummer would have been more than adequate instrumentation to fill up the whole band.

The lead singer/rhythm guitarist wasn't bad, but I don't know how long I could have listened to him sing before changing channels...he had a very Dan Baird-esque redneck voice and cussed too much. One of our entourage bought their CD, which he rated as "pretty dang good." I will give it a spin and report my findings, if it is interesting enough to warrant a report.

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Post subject: Re: ZZ Top Last Friday Night--Concert Review
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2012 1:06 pm
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Top post again SA, great review of the band in concert, I popped in my only ZZ cd on the way home from work tonight "Rancho Texicana" I've got to say I agree with you on Frank Beard, that steering wheel was getting a thrashing let me tell you, BBQ seems to get the best out of me, giving the album more listens I'm hearing Frank's fills


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Post subject: Re: ZZ Top Last Friday Night--Concert Review
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2012 1:57 pm
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Sounds like you had a good time! I hope to see them if they ever come back to Alberta.


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Post subject: Re: ZZ Top Last Friday Night--Concert Review
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2012 2:58 pm
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just thinking out loud here SA, them $650 a pop tickets to the Stones gig, most seem to be saying esta mucho lucre, but I'm sure most of the stones fans would be there if they could......so.......next best thing would be to have someone there who writes great in deapth reviews..so with that in mind I call for a whip round to have you there and await the you next concert installment......failing to come up with the nesc....necc....nessase....correct amout req'd, a cheap trilby with a PRESS ticket sticking out and you could blag your way in.........good luck :)

in depth :roll:


Last edited by ripitup555 on Wed Oct 24, 2012 3:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: ZZ Top Last Friday Night--Concert Review
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2012 3:01 pm
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Another Stellar Review, S.A. Made me feel as though I was there two. I'm looking forward to seeing some pics.
----Danny,


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Post subject: Re: ZZ Top Last Friday Night--Concert Review
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2012 3:54 pm
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Great review....thanks! I keep hoping that they'll come up to Toronto; they're one of my favourite bands.
As an aside, they saved my life many years ago when I was playing in a bar and some of the locals decided they didn't like my looks (or maybe it was my music, but that can't be right :? ). I told them that I was a big ZZ top fan and played a bit of Legs for them and they became my very best friends....of course, in Canada they are known as zed zed top 8)

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Post subject: Re: ZZ Top Last Friday Night--Concert Review
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2012 6:11 pm
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SA...as always a thorough job of reporting! There are more than a few "News Reporters" that could learn a thing or two from ya!

Glad they played one of my two favorite ZZTop songs (Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers), but no Cheap Sunglasses? Too bad :shock: Glad the Tween got to see a good concert without some of the bad stuff that can go on at em.

Look forward to the Pics...

T2

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Post subject: Re: ZZ Top Last Friday Night--Concert Review
Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2012 12:34 pm
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T2Stratman wrote:
Glad they played one of my two favorite ZZTop songs (Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers), but no Cheap Sunglasses? Too bad

Look forward to the Pics...
T2

Yeah, in anticipation of "Cheap Sunglasses" I told her to bring her cheapest, tackiest sunglasses to wear during that song, but they didn't even play it... :| Oh well...

Pics forthcoming.

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Post subject: Re: ZZ Top-Concert Review-Now With Pictures!!
Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2012 11:49 am
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Video for “I Thank You” Showing Behind the Band:

Image

 

Closer pic of “The Boyzz”:

Image

 

The Reverend Willie G and “Rube” Beard:

Image

 

Joe Michael “Dusty” Hill:

Image

 

The Boyzz:

Image

 

Image

 

Square Fuzzy-Bodied Gretsches:

Image

 

Red Gibson Les Paul and a Reverse-necked Early-50’s-Style Precision Bass:

Image

 

For the Drummers (I wrote that slowly so they can read it):

Image

 

Closing Credits:

Image

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Post subject: Re: ZZ Top-Concert Review-Now With Pictures!!
Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2012 12:31 pm
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Great review SA! Coolest...mic stands....EVER. I saw the boyz in '03 and loved every minute of it. Also saw the Stones...ahem...yea that was killer too. Live music period is just such a treat.


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Post subject: Re: ZZ Top-Concert Review-Now With Pictures!!
Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2012 3:10 pm
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Great pics...and you even threw the drummers one, good on ya!

T2

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Post subject: Re: ZZ Top-Concert Review-Now With Pictures!!
Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2012 3:15 pm
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Great review Matt, cool pic's too, thanks for posting 8)

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