ZZ Top
Degüello

THE REVIEW

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.