Willie G. Moseley Posted March 12, 2006 Posted March 12, 2006 Just heard the new remastered re-issues of early '70s classics TRES HOMBRES and FANDANGO, and they sound just about like the LPs did; fat and loud. A legitimate criticism of CDs is that they can sound "sterile", and a legitimate criticism of ZZ TOP's "Six Pack" was that the albums were re-mixed. Definitive example: The digital reverb added to "La Grange"; it's especially noticeable on the drums.On the other hand, these two new offerings are gratifying in their, er, "traditionalness", and what particularly jogged my ears was how much "Blue Jean Blues" sounds like a Peter Green song; it's deadly close.There are three new live tracks each on the re-issues; those are so-so, but appreciated, I suppose. It's just that for many of us, this is the "pre-machine songs" ZZ that inspired us so much about a third of a century ago.Now, if they'd just release the version of "Rattlesnake Shake" they recorded....
Kurt L Posted March 12, 2006 Posted March 12, 2006 They should let us trade in the old crappy ones. Those sucked major ass... a crime against good music.Would like to have the nicer versions, but hate buying CDs I already have. ZZ Top with Phil Collins drums - who EVER thought that was a good idea?
Scottcrud Posted March 12, 2006 Posted March 12, 2006 The six pack version of El Diablo as well as the CD version compared to the LP version both suck. On the LP you can hear all these cool ghost notes that Frank Beard is playing, on the six pak and Cd versions it sounds like Eliminater era drums.
Brother Noud Posted March 12, 2006 Posted March 12, 2006 I'm also pleased with the new Tres Hombres and Fandango cd's.After not listening to ZZ for many years, I am back in the foldand the early stuff really gets it.My favorite song by them is "Precious & Grace". The slide workBilly does is fantastic, and his vocals have that weird coolnessthat only he can pull off. Can't believe it's over 33 years old.Sounds better that ever.Meanwhile, I can't find Tejas. In fact, I saw the Tejas Worldwide tour at Anaheim Stadium, where they headlined with the huge stage, completewith a longhorn steer, vulture, and rattlesnakes. Opening up wasPoint Blank, Blue Oyster Cult, and Johnny & Edgar Winter.Tejas is a very cool and righteous album. Haven't heardit in a long time. Any word on when the remastered version will be out?
Willie G. Moseley Posted March 12, 2006 Author Posted March 12, 2006 No word on TEJAS, and it too is in the SIX-PACK in a mongrelized form...TRES HOMBRES & FANDANGO are the only two announced and marketed, according to the p.r. firm that contacted me...methinks the CHROME, SMOKE & BBQ boxed set has remastered tracks from all of the earlier albums that sound like these two new re-issues (I've read some positive comments about it), but it's an anthology not a complete collection.
RobB Posted March 12, 2006 Posted March 12, 2006 Thanks for the tip, Willie. Busted right on out to Amoeba Music SF to trade in the old, in wit' the new.Thank you, RHINO, for doing these up right. They sound just like I remember them, FAT and LOUD. I had a feeling it was only a matter of time before these were released in their proper form...the fact that "La Grange" is there w/out the digital 'verb is worth the price of both discs.Also purchased: Mastodon, "Call of the Mastodon", and the deluxe DVD of "Concert for Bangladesh", so I ain't a TOTAL fossil, no?
Scottcrud Posted March 12, 2006 Posted March 12, 2006 You go RobB, Mastodon is THE SHIT. I grew up on ZZ Top and still love them. Just Got Paid and Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers are my two favorites.
Hamerica Posted March 13, 2006 Posted March 13, 2006 "...methinks the CHROME, SMOKE & BBQ boxed set has remastered tracks from all of the earlier albums that sound like these two new re-issues"Hello Willie G! The answer is yes, I read an article that had the good Reverand talk about their new release and he was also letting the can out of the bag about Chrome, Smoke, and BBQ that was going to be released. I think it might have been on the ZZ Top website. I can't remember u'ther than it was late one night and I was surfin' the web for stuff to read on the good Reverand Billie G and found a mess of critics talkin' about how good it was to see ZZ Top return to fine form. The only problem is not enough air play and the Hall of Fame went to their heads. Try booking 'em - 100K minimum. That's near Ricky Martin money. Tejas bornTejas bredan' when I dieb' Tejas dead Hamerica
Brooks Posted March 13, 2006 Posted March 13, 2006 methinks the CHROME, SMOKE & BBQ boxed set has remastered tracks from all of the earlier albums that sound like these two new re-issues (I've read some positive comments about it), but it's an anthology not a complete collection. yes, i have the BBQ set, it rawks. textbook perfect tones, it doesn't get any better.
Willie G. Moseley Posted March 13, 2006 Author Posted March 13, 2006 p.r. release sez remastering was done from the original analog tapes by Bob Ludwig.
Rockola Posted March 13, 2006 Posted March 13, 2006 I would have settled for non-remastered releases of the original masters. Straight AAD conversion, hiss, warts and all. This is encouraging....I'll probably pony up for it (AGAIN) and still wonder what the F*#|< took so long?S.
Bruiser Brody Posted March 13, 2006 Posted March 13, 2006 Kick-ass! I'll pick these up today! Old ZZ is awesome. I was flipping though the movie channels around 4am the other morning and saw their cameo in Back To The Future III! Great Scott!!
MCChris Posted March 13, 2006 Posted March 13, 2006 Are all the old albums available like this or just these two? If so I'll be getting "Rio Grande Mud." What a kickass album.
HamerHokie Posted March 13, 2006 Posted March 13, 2006 Not bad for a LYING, DECEITFUL POS WHO CAN'T STRING A GUITAR RIGHT AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RUINATION OF STOP TAILPIECES EVERYWHERE......ooops, sorry, wrong thread.
salem Posted March 13, 2006 Posted March 13, 2006 Bob Ludwig generally does a good job, he did some great work with the Stones.
RobB Posted March 13, 2006 Posted March 13, 2006 Are all the old albums available like this or just these two? If so I'll be getting "Rio Grande Mud." What a kickass album. Just "Tres..." and "Fandango" @this time. You know Rhino, though. I'm sure all the early stuff will be released in time. They've done a great job w/Deep Purple and other such lumbering brontosauri.
wyldbil Posted March 13, 2006 Posted March 13, 2006 This is good news. I have been suffering a copy of "Six Pack" for fifteen years now.I had no idea these were out. THANKS WILLIE!
santellavision Posted March 14, 2006 Posted March 14, 2006 Not bad for a LYING, DECEITFUL POS WHO CAN'T STRING A GUITAR RIGHT AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RUINATION OF STOP TAILPIECES EVERYWHERE... I think he's referring to the Rev wrapping the strings around the top of his tailpiece on Pearly, thus corroding the nickel off the tailpiece. Uh, Duane did that as well as many others too.
Disturber Posted March 14, 2006 Posted March 14, 2006 This is good news. I have been suffering a copy of "Six Pack" for fifteen years now.I had no idea these were out. THANKS WILLIE! I have that Six Pack CD box as well.I don't think it's bad at all. They dida remix of the stuff remastering each trackindividually. It sounds pretty damn good.Although a little different from the original mixes.But if it's good or bad is in the ear of the beholder.The band must like it better or they wouldn't havere-released it that way.I will however pick up these new releasesas well. Perhaps when I have had a chanceto compare them to the Six Pack versionsI will change my mind.
Zoner Posted March 14, 2006 Posted March 14, 2006 Tres Hombres, Rio Grande Mud, Fandango. The 3 main reasons I still own vinyl and a turntable setup, since the 6 pack was never gonna do it once I heard what they had done to the mixes with space drums on everything. Those are some of the baddest tones I have ever heard recorded and they don't get any better off the original records, but we'll see what the re-remasters sound like. Z
wyldbil Posted March 15, 2006 Posted March 15, 2006 Disturber- the two main things that bug me abour Six Pack are the previously mentioned digitally-diddled drums in LaGrange, and the fact that they edited in a completely different last verse to Mexican Blackbird. Different words, different babble during the instrumental portion, the works.Anyway, I'll be thrilled to no end to hear it sound like it did on my old vinyls.--edit to add------------AH HAW HAW HAW!
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.