ZZ TOP-the current tour setlist and presentation

[Willie G. Moseley]

I caught the band last Saturday night in a casino's outdoor amphitheater. Went there fully suspecting something very similar to what they've been doing for a number of years (RE: the live DVD and CD), and was blown away by the huge change (for the better, IMO) in the presentation.

They opened with "I Thank You" and went into "Waitin' For The Bus"/"Jesus Just Left Chicago" (close to what they'd been doing all along, as they used to open with "Got Me Under Pressure" then the twosome from Tres Hombres) but the rest of the set was a surprise and a sonic feast. Can't remember when I'd heard "Heard It on the X" live, and it killed. Other great songs included "Pincushion", a slightly-different arrangement of "Gimme All Your Lovin'" and a very scary version of "Vincent Price Blues" that had some kind of effect blended into Rev. Gibbons' guitar that sounded almost like a theremin.

There was also a new film in the background that was coordinated to most of the music, although live shots were also interpolated onto the screen.

The mix was slightly different and awesome; Gibbons seemed to have a bit more crunch, for lack of a better term. I'm not sure if the outdoor setting might have had something to do with it. The Boyz were playing stripped-finish instruments by John Bolin for most of the set.

Even if you've seen the band a number of times (as a lot of us have), the current concert experience is different enough to merit attendance again, FWMOW.

[Disturber]

Thanks for sharing. Long article on ZZ-top in the latest MOJO magazine, from the UK.

[Hamerica]

Seein' that little ol' band from Tejas on Friday!

Thanks for the review!

Hamerica

[hamerhead]

Sounds like a great show. Probably my all-time favorite band, and I haven't seen them since the Triple X tour. I really need to get out more.......

[Hamerica]

After reading the review by the Rev. Willie G. Moseley, I was looking forward to the ZZ Top show just across the border. This was my wife's first ZZ show and I managed to get dead center 14th - 15th row seats so she could get a good view of the visual onslaught that ZZ has been famous for for the past 20 - 30 years.

The new "film" is a good addition to the old videos. The good Rev. Billie F. Gibbons reminded those attending services (The old shtick is "...there will be no cussing, no fighting and no drinking during the gospel songs. The good news - there will be no gospel songs.") "that little ol' band from Tejas has been doing this now for over 4 decades." The show was also another casino venue and ran about 1 hour of music and 15 minutes of stage antics...it wasn't quite the full 1 1/2 hour show.

I am sure it was the same set list that WGM witnessed and the Tejas faithful went crazy on Tube Snake Boogie.

The live shots were done in black and white which for those using their Iphones camera were rewarded with decent photos - a bonus.

I also agree, if you have seen ZZ Top in the past decade, this is a much better production show.

They brought out the fuzzy guitars for LEGS (non - spinning) and the crowd went nuts.

"Tone is the thang" as the good Rev would say and there was plenty of good tone.

The not so good was it was obvious that Dusty's mic was never mixed properly. Dusty also appeared to be having some trouble with his hand as he clinched his hand during the show and it was obviously causing him some discomfort.

Mr. Gibbons is probably one of the best guitarist I will ever get to witness. He makes everything look effortlessly and several songs were played with some very inspiring non-recorded solos.

Even the blend into and outtro of BBQ was different than the past.

For me - there were only two disappointments (if you could call it that ) with the "show".

The first was no "Cheap Sunglasses" I have see the "Top" more than my children and I can't recall ever not hearing that live at every show until tonight.

The second is the entertainment part of the show sometimes overshadows the music.

ZZ has become a Las Vegas styled production, (for better or worse depending on how old you are) and have very little control of what they are going to do next. My youngest brother surprised me by even attempting to go. Quote - "I rather buy tickets to watch Tres Hombres (a defunct ZZ Top tribute act), than watch that dog & pony show. Someone needs to remind them (ZZ Top) of what they used to be."

I do understand where he is coming from. We used to see Billy walking through Guitar shows, pick up a guitar and just smoke. International Fame and current management has changed all that.

Beyond that, I would still go and see it again and if you have never seen the TOP or haven't seen them in a while I am sure you would enjoy this.

Best wishes,

Hamerica

I caught the band last Saturday night in a casino's outdoor amphitheater. Went there fully suspecting something very similar to what they've been doing for a number of years (RE: the live DVD and CD), and was blown away by the huge change (for the better, IMO) in the presentation.

They opened with "I Thank You" and went into "Waitin' For The Bus"/"Jesus Just Left Chicago" (close to what they'd been doing all along, as they used to open with "Got Me Under Pressure" then the twosome from Tres Hombres) but the rest of the set was a surprise and a sonic feast. Can't remember when I'd heard "Heard It on the X" live, and it killed. Other great songs included "Pincushion", a slightly-different arrangement of "Gimme All Your Lovin'" and a very scary version of "Vincent Price Blues" that had some kind of effect blended into Rev. Gibbons' guitar that sounded almost like a theremin.

There was also a new film in the background that was coordinated to most of the music, although live shots were also interpolated onto the screen.

The mix was slightly different and awesome; Gibbons seemed to have a bit more crunch, for lack of a better term. I'm not sure if the outdoor setting might have had something to do with it. The Boyz were playing stripped-finish instruments by John Bolin for most of the set.

Even if you've seen the band a number of times (as a lot of us have), the current concert experience is different enough to merit attendance again, FWMOW.

[Jorge]

They always give you a good time, if you remotely like them. It's the only band I forgive the quite few pre-recorded stuff they play over... even some lead vocals! I still love to see them.

[GC Ron]

They always give you a good time, if you remotely like them. It's the only band I forgive the quite few pre-recorded stuff they play over... even some lead vocals! I still love to see them.

This year's tour as well as last year's have little pre-recorded tracks. Much more raw, hell when I saw them last month Billy really blew it going into a solo a half step down though he caught it pretty quick.