I remember when Kira Roessler said the ZZ Top bassist was her favorite bassist. The two share similarities. Kira's playing on those late Flag albums is also understated but totally locked in the groove. Serves the guitarist really well.

Black Flag is negative music I don't often reach for. ZZ Top are life affirming.

M.H wrote: Tue May 09, 2023 2:19 am Not quite my favourite Top (that's Tejas followed by Rhythmeen), but I think it's their best work overall; though you could argue it's just an upgrade on the ideas they figured out on Rio Grande Mud w/ a production upgrade thanks to Terry Manning. The interaction between these 3 musicians is steller and out of the playing comes THEIR atmosphere - that's the sign that they're operating in rarefied territory.

Remember FINALLY hearing a proper remaster of the original album and savouring the experience after years of listening to that sucky 80s digital remix. I'm not an audiophile but it really is a night and day difference - I don't want to derail the thread, but the way they defaced their first 5 albums and refused to release the original mixes for 20 years plus was criminal.

Anyway, N.C.

Rhythmeen is awesome. Thanks for the recommendation.

InMySoul77 wrote: Tue May 09, 2023 10:44 am

Black Flag is negative music I don't often reach for. ZZ Top are life affirming.

I'm printing this out on a t-shirt and wearing it to the next OFF! show I go to.

Teacher's Pet wrote: Tue May 09, 2023 10:28 am

Nico Adie wrote: Mon May 08, 2023 5:05 pm
It’s my undisputed never to be beaten number one favourite gatefold sleeve of all time.

Correct, it is #1.
In the way that the best album packages convey a specific mood and persona, and cast a spell over the viewer while presenting the artist and their music -- it is unparalleled. And it's endlessly fascinating to stare at, rewarding of intense scrutiny, which is another requirement of great album artwork. The beer spilleth over!

Just thinking about it is making me hungry.

100% agree. Not only conveying a specific place, but a way of life. I bet these dudes were fun as fuck to hang around, at least before cocaine and money entered the picture..

My favorite ZZ Top album containing my favorite ZZ Top song Master Of Sparks.

Years ago when I lived in Flagstaff there was a bar called Joe's Place that had Tres Hombres on the CD jukebox. Every time I shot pool there I would play Master Of Sparks and it always helped my game.

By the way that song has a great backstory:

(from SongFacts) "Master of Sparks" is based on a true story from ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons' youth in Houston. He and some pals welded together a steel-caged ball that they attached to the back of a truck. One of them would climb inside and then the truck would drive off, reaching a speed of 60 miles per hour (97 km/h). The person in the cage would be dragged down the highway immersed in the light of flickering friction. Those who survived got the title of Master of Sparks - one of them was Billy Gibbons.

tonyballzee wrote: Tue May 09, 2023 4:01 pm"Master of Sparks"

That song rules!

Had a cassette dub of Eliminator when I was, like, seven or eight, but didn't get around to hearing the earlier albums until way way later. I prefer their more intimate, lived-in feel.


Have read/heard from a few sources that Hendrix was impressed with Gibbons's guitar work. So there's that.

Wood Goblin wrote: Tue May 09, 2023 10:34 am

Teacher's Pet wrote: Tue May 09, 2023 10:28 am

Nico Adie wrote: Mon May 08, 2023 5:05 pm
It’s my undisputed never to be beaten number one favourite gatefold sleeve of all time.

Correct, it is #1.
In the way that the best album packages convey a specific mood and persona, and cast a spell over the viewer while presenting the artist and their music -- it is unparalleled. And it's endlessly fascinating to stare at, rewarding of intense scrutiny, which is another requirement of great album artwork. The beer spilleth over!

Just thinking about it is making me hungry.

One of the many things you miss with digital is this.

Also, this record has the Top’s best song, “Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers.”

The Motorhead cover, my first exposure, does not do it justice.

The gatefold looks delicious. Apparently the photographer went out for a break after a couple shots, and when he came back his dog had eaten the spread, so they used the last pic he took.

Yeah, that Motörhead cover is surprisingly not great. On paper, it should rule, but in reality it’s just kind of there.

YouTube has some fantastic live versions by Van Halen, circa 1983, with Michael Anthony handling half the vocals.

DaveA wrote: Tue May 09, 2023 4:43 pm

tonyballzee wrote: Tue May 09, 2023 4:01 pm"Master of Sparks"

That song rules!

Had a cassette dub of Eliminator when I was, like, seven or eight, but didn't get around to hearing the earlier albums until way way later. I prefer their more intimate, lived-in feel.


Have read/heard from a few sources that Hendrix was impressed with Gibbons's guitar work. So there's that.

The first zztop track I loved when I first listened the album back in the day. It has this kinda creepy, dark vibe or something.

I want nachos