ZZ Top Album: “Live From Texas [Digipak]”

I have to be honest here--I'm one of the biggest fanzz of ZZ Top in the world. I've seen the band at least a dozen times in various venues and locales. I am a bit biased; however, I can be honest when the boyzz put out a product that doesn't stand the test of time (Afterburner, anyone?).

Fortunately, the release of "Live From Texas" is not one of those lowlights.

Amazingly, this concert CD is the first complete live set ever released by the band (the only previous live releases have been side 1 of the 1975 album "Fandango!" and the second half of the 1999 CD "XXX", as well as various CD single or CD reissue bonus tracks). Their original manager/producer/empresario Bill Ham felt that releasing live material would discourage people from going to see the band live.

I was at the taping of this live CD (the DVD/BluRay version was released earlier in 2008, with extras making it worth the purchase) at the Nokia Theater in Grand Prairie, Texas in November of 2007, and as usual, the Boyzz didn't disappoint. They played well, with the rhythm section of Dusty Hill and Frank Beard displaying their usual "1+1=4" perfection and the fine fretwork of the Reverend Willy G (Billy Gibbons) in full effect.

The CD (and DVD) play to the strengths and personalities of the band very well--you'll recognize almost every song within a few seconds, even if you're only a casual fan.

The only criticism is this--the band didn't pull out more "deep tracks" or "lost gems" to document this historical occasion (The DVD does have the excellent bonus track of Hendrix's "Foxy Lady"); it also would have been nice to hear some (or even ONE) track from their RCA releases (some of which were played at the show), but for the obsessive fan/collector (such as myself) or the casual fan of the band, this is a must-buy disc.

Good Vibes To Y'all...

The thing is no matter what you think of this recording there is a GREAT and I mean really GREAT cd waiting out there. It is the 1980 Rockpalast show. My goodness just watch it on youtube. Billy is at his best . Dusty at his smoothest. Frank at his Frankest. COME ON ZZ gives us what we want. We love yall and love that you still jam, but we real true fans love tho old old stuff ( anything before MTV.)PLEASE give it to us man.

I bought this CD for the extended version of Blue Jean Blues. I knew from the first track with the audience noise and poor mixing that I'd been had again. The performance is mediocre if you listen beyond the poor mix (muddy is an appropriate adjective). Granted the vocals reflect years of beer/whiskey-drinkin' and hell-raisin'. The bulk of the presented performances reflect their popular Eighties hits, not their best material. The biggest disappointment is after the track "Tush", where dialog about shopping at a dollar store abruptly ends the CD. Did anyone preview the CD before it went to "pressing"? Even as a "compleatist", I would pass on this given a second chance.

ZZ Top has released a couple of albums in the past with a few live tracks mixed in with studio tracks. Live from Texas is the first time they have released an entirely live album and the results are smokin'! All of the songs you want to hear, and a couple you might not expect, are included. The band's tightness allows the album to rock and flow and every track is delivered with precision. Billy Gibbons' guitar work is always amazing, and it sounds great on this CD, while Dusty Hill and Frank Beard supply the rythym that makes ZZ Top chug and burn with their own signature sounds. There is also a DVD release of this CD, which I saw on TV and won't leave you disappointed, either.

This is a great concert dvd, the band plays songs spanning their entire career, included are the songs "Jesus just left Chicago", "Rough Boy", "Gimme all your lovin", "Legs", "Pearl Necklace","Tube Snake Boogie", "Sharp Dressed Man", "La Grange", "Tush" and several others, this dvd showcases the bands talent as performers, especially Billy Gibbons incredible guitar work. If you are a ZZ Top fan check it out.

Razorback Fan