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Rating: While browsing a music site, I came across a review of the album 'Deguello' by ZZ Top, a few lines and two stars summarize the CD, describing it as "Not representative of the spirit of the Blues".
Obviously, I respect the reviewer's opinion, but I disagree. With the blues in the guitar strings, and a handful of songs, Gibbons and company have put together a special and unusual album. They definitely attempted a shift from their previous discography, but maintained clear writing, without losing the spirit of the early days, when more famous bands, for whom they opened, refused to play after being forced to grant multiple encores. In 'Deguello', the three from Texas push with effort and vigor as usual, hitting hard like when they used to play at La Grange, a small venue that inspired Gibbons to create a magical musical composition, which I have no difficulty in defining as the height of the marvelous, a piece that encompasses all the fundamental elements of the music we call Rock.
Even if not reaching that level, the same can be said of "I Thank You" with its penetrating incision in the opening bars, its relaxed, almost indolent impetuosity, which is the distinctive mark of Isaac Hayes' piece. (Much superior to those of Sam and Dave and Bonnie Raitt). The album continues with "She Loves My Automobile", captivating and intense, in which for the first time (I believe) ZZ Top uses saxophones, I also mention a beautiful version of "Dust my Broom", the beautiful "Cheap Sunglasses" and "Hi Fi Mama", a piece comparable to a kick in the balls, in which the Texan artists push like madmen, using the brass in a way I have never tasted in a Rock song. Vigor, intensity, and energy are the words that best frame this CD. Los Tres Hombres combine the different compositions, giving them the sense they have always given their records, dynamite turned into music.
A mature and personal work, the sound finds resolution in the inspired notes of the guitar, supported by the rhythm section, and by three saxophones played powerfully.
PS No. 1 The design on the cover sucks.
PS No. 2 The commercial turning point was there, but, in my opinion, it started with Eliminator, and then... even in 'Eliminator' something... even if it’s mass-market, It's only Rock'n'Roll but I like it.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 I Thank You (03:26)
You didnt have to love me like you did
But you did, but you did.
And I thank you.
You didnt have to squeeze me like you did
But you did, but you did.
And I thank you.
If you took your love to somewhere else
I wouldnt know what it meant to be loved to death
You made me feel like Ive never felt
Kisses so good I had to holler for help
You didnt have to squeeze me but you did
But you did but you did
And I thank you.
You didnt have to hold me but you did
But you did but you did
And I thank you.
Every day was something new,
You pull out your bag and your fine to-do
You got me trying new things too
Just so I can keep up with you.
You didnt have to shake me like you did
But you did but you did
And I thank you.
You didnt have to make it like you did
But you did but you did
And I thank you.
All my life Ive been shortchanged
Without your love baby, its a crying shame
And now I know what the fellas are talking about
When they say that they been turned out
I want to thank you
Thank you
Thank you baby
Oh baby
Got to say
You didnt have to love me like you did
But you did, but you did.
You didnt have to hold me like you did
But you did, but you did.
Thank you
Baby
Baby
Thank! Ive! Got! Ive got to
Thank you baby
03 I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide (04:53)
{An original catch phrase for the ages, it's the lyrical and musical
embodiment of the low rider ethos. Though millions swore they'd heard
it before, the national anthem of the U.S. of ZZ first greeted dawn's
early light on 1979's DEGUELLO, their first for Warner Bros.}
Well I was rollin' down the road in some cold blue steel,
I had a blues man in back, and a beautician at the wheel.
We going downtown in the middle of the night
We laughing and I'm jokin' and we feelin' alright.
Oh I'm bad, I'm nationwide.
Yes I'm bad, I'm nationwide.
Easin' down the highway in a new Cadillac,
I had a fine fox in front, I had three more in the back.
They sportin' short dresses, wearin' spike-heel shoes,
They smokin' Lucky Strikes, and wearing nylons too.
'Cause we bad, we nationwide.
Yeah we bad, we nationwide.
Well I was movin' down the road in my V-8 Ford,
I had a shine on my boots, I had my sideburns lowered.
With my New York brim and my gold tooth displayed,
Nobody give me trouble cause they know I got it made.
I'm bad, I'm nationwide.
Well I'm bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, I'm nationwide.
04 A Fool for Your Stockings (04:16)
Is it you again outside,
Just banging on the front door?
You say you had enough,
Now you're coming' back for more,
But that's alright.
I said that that's alright.
I may not want to admit it,
I'm just a fool for your stockings I believe.
Now I don't mind when you send money
and bring your girlfriends with you,
But how could one be so thoughtless to try
and handle less than two?
But that's alright.
I said that that's alright, baby.
I may not want to admit it,
I'm just a fool for your stockings I believe.
Now I'm tellin' everybody
It seems too good to be true:
Sweet things can always get sweeter.
I know mine did, how about you?
Yes, it's alright.
I said, yes it is, that's alright.
I may not want to admit it,
I'm just a fool for your stockings I believe
05 Manic Mechanic (02:36)
You want to race?
If you insist.
At that price, I can't resist.
That's right, that's right, that's right.
Tonight it ain't right,
I got to have me a week.
But I'll be back for you, Jack,
and I'll let the machine speak.
That's right, that's right, that's right.
Showdown? You bet.
And I haven't saddled my pony yet.
Have mercy, Miss Percy.
I done put the coon tune on this bet.
That's right, that's right, that's right.
07 Lowdown in the Street (02:50)
Well there comes Lola, out of control-a:
She just loves those rhythm and blues.
And miss Ivy will be arriving;
in leopard skin tights she's willing to cruise.
It's a fiend scene and it happens 'bout once a week.
SO FOR SOME BREAD COME DO YOUR HEAD AND GET LOW DOWN IN THE STREET.
There's Jimmy and Jojo, there's Kim and Keith,
Way outside the eyes of cool.
And sweet M.B., and there's little G.B.
Everybody wants to be their fool.
It's a fiend scene and it happens here ev'ry week.
So roam on in, it ain't no sin to get low down in the street.
Some nights are lonely, some nights are lazy,
but ain't nobody try and slip away.
They'll make you loose. They'll make you crazy.
Know what I mean, what you say, what you say.
It's a fiend scene and it happens 'bout once a week.
So roam on in, it ain't no sin to get low down in the street.
08 Hi Fi Mama (02:25)
I want your hi fi mama, won't you let me play it tonight
I want your hi fi mama, won't you let me play it tonight
I put the needle in the groove, baby while you douse the lights.
I play it on your dresser, play it upside your wall
I play it in your kitchen, even play it in your hall
I play it anywhere you want it, any old time at all.
Hi fi lo fi no fi's just fine with me.
Hi fi lo fi no fi's just fine with me.
And if you want to give me stereo first give me vitamin E.
I got your name and your number.
09 Cheap Sunglasses (04:48)
When you wake up in the morning and the light is hurt your head
The first thing you do when you get up out of bed
Is hit the streets a-runnin' and try to beat the masses
And go get yourself some cheap sunglasses
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah
Spied a little thing and I followed her all night
In a funky fine Levi's and her sweater's kind of tight
She had a west coast strut that was as sweet as molases
But what really knocked me out was her cheap sunglasses
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah
(solo)
Now go out and get yourself some big black frames
With the glass so dark they won't even know your name
And the choice is up to you cause they come in two classes:
Rhinestone shades or cheap sunglasses
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah
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