During the late 70’s, Texan favourites ZZ Top went AWOL. Between 1977 and 1978, the band had vanished off the radar, after what was supposed to be a three month hiatus after touring constantly for seven years, the break ended up being two years, returning to action in 1979, signing to Warner Bros, and their comeback album ‘Deguello’.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: ZZ Top
ALBUM: Deguello
LABEL: Warner Bros
SERIAL: HS 3361
YEAR: 1979
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Billy Gibbons – guitar, lead vocals, baritone saxophone * Dusty Hill – bass guitar, keyboards, backing vocals, lead vocal (#8), tenor saxophone * Frank Beard – drums, percussion, alto saxophone
TRACK LISTING: 01 I Thank You * 02 She Loves My Automobile * 03 I’m Bad I’m Nationwide * 04 A Fool For Your Stockings * 05 Manic Mechanic * 06 Dust My Broom * 07 Lowdown In The Street * 08 Hi Fi Mama * 09 Cheap Sunglasses * 10 Esther Be The One
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
During the late 70’s, Texan favourites ZZ Top went AWOL. Between 1977 and 1978, the band had vanished off the radar, their last album for then label London was 1976’s ‘Tejas’ LP. After what was supposed to be a three month hiatus after touring constantly for seven years, the break ended up being two years. The band then returned to action in 1979, signing to Warner Bros, and their comeback album ‘Deguello’. The album was produced by long-time associate (manager, producer, studio owner), Bill Ham.
The Songs
With Gibbons and Hill now sporting full length beards, ‘Deguello’ would mark the start of ZZ Top’s second and most successful period, from 1979 through to the mid 80’s. This album would generate two successful tracks in ‘I Thank You’ (a cover of a Sam And Dave track), and ‘Cheap Sunglasses’.
There are other highlights too: ‘I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide’, ‘Hi-Fi Mama’ and a cover of the legendary bluesman Robert Johnson song ‘Dust My Broom’. The album went platinum, though only reaching #24 on the Billboard album charts, ‘I Thank You’ making it to #34 on the singles charts.
In Summary
ZZ Top’s new relationship with Warner Bros would stretch all the way through the 80’s, culminating in their most successful release: 1983’s ‘Eliminator’. There is some good material to be found on their 70’s releases, though for me personally, I need to be in the right mood before spending time with any of their albums.
ZZ Top on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
