Artist – Album: ZZ Top – Tres Hombres
Released: 26th
June 1973
Sounds Like: It’s got legs
This morning I woke up at the foot of the bed, still wearing
my tie and suit (although I had at least managed to unbutton the shirt), with
the lamp still on and the laptop, fresh from a last minute Albumaday... posting,
still on and snuggled up next to my head. Evidently it was quite a heavy one
and I just couldn’t be happier that I had the foresight to book today off work.
Not to sound too smug, all you unfortunate workmates...
I don’t remember much about the walk back from the pub, but
I do recall playing the Arctic-cool ‘La
Grange’ on my ipod far too loudly over and over again. Its John Lee Hooker-influenced
blues and throaty A haw, haw, haw, haw, a haw are damn near perfection. And I’m
pleased to report that the rest of the album attains a similarly high standard –
the opening couple of ‘Waitin’ for the
Bus’ and ‘Jesus Just Left Chicago’ which
together saw frequent radio airplay, the heavy, heavy sound of ‘Master of Sparks’ and the soulful ballad
‘Hot, Blue & Righteous’ are all
worthy companions to the standout single.
I used to think ZZ Top were a bit of a gimmicky band, with
their matching beards large enough for a flock of birds to make a nest in,
MTV-ready music videos and shiny, synthy singles such as ‘Gimme All Your Lovin’’, ‘Sharp Dressed Man’ and ‘Legs’. It’s a pleasure to find out that
they actually have roots in much purer, undistilled blues rock, and it’s a hell
of a lot easier for my hungover brain to deal with.
Albumaday... rating: 8/10
1. Waitin’
for the Bus – 2:59
2. Jesus
Just Left Chicago – 3:30
3. Beer
Drinkers & Hell Raisers – 3:23
4. Master
of Sparks – 3:33
5. Hot,
Blue & Righteous – 3:14
6. Move
Me on Down the Line – 2:32
7. Precious
and Grace – 3:09
8. La
Grange – 3:52
9. Shiek
– 4:05
10. Have
You Heard? – 3:15
Listen to ‘La Grange’:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vppbdf-qtGU
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Also released on the 26th June:
1974: Robert Wyatt – Rock Bottom
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