The Boogie Beatniks

I'd put Billy F. Gibbons somewhere in the same graduating class as Keef. Of course these fellas don't graduate from anything besides birthdays, they both ooze a genuine bohemian snarl no institution would ever provide.
Being a card-carrying member of the microwave society, meaning, unless some action is practically at my doorstep, I'm probably not going to experience the experience. A 30 minute drive? I'm in.
Plus I was piqued by some news I dug up about the Toppers teaming up with Rick Rubin a couple of years ago to rejuvenate the Tres Hombres era ZZ. Have yet to hear a peep about that. Maybe something didn't gel. Maybe a beard thing.
(On a side note,I think Rick Rubin and T-Bone Burnett should get together and form a production alliance. They could tackle all the dudes who strayed for one reason or another, like Stephen Stills, who absolutely, could potentially howl on a blues-rock canvas. But no, sadly, he was Graham Nashed somewhere along the way).
To my delight, Billy, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard sauntered on stage and greeted us with the charming gut-bucket, Got Me Under Pressure and the Bus/Jesus medley.
It's a well-oiled show, as it should be, when Billy introduces the band, "For 40 years, the same three guys, for 40 years, the same three chords."
Their synchronized swim style dance steps and bro-code signage along with Gibbon's honkin and sqawkin, delta raunch via Marshall stack (reference mine) only reaffirms what we all would expect. That they are still the rightful heirs to the throne of the Boogie Nation.

credits: Photo of Rare Japanese Vinyl From raw-tcsd.com
Bottom Photo From klipsch.com

Bring 'Er Back To Just Dog And Pony

When I read that in 2008, Rick Rubin may be taking ZZ Top back into the studio to whip those boys back into Tres Hombres era gut-bucket, I was a little geeked. I have a soft spot for those guys, even though the soft spot appeared during Tres Hombres then disappeared shortly thereafter.
After reading that, I started fantasizing about how Rubin would talk them into going on the road and doing the Stones at El Macombo thing. Stripped down and bare-knuckled in 500 seat clubs, opening, guns-a-blazing, and all sexy like to the slow chug of Jesus Just Left Chicago. No hoopla. No Barnum and Bailey. Just Billy, Dusty and Frank reminding us how they never took their foot off the gas.

Now rumour has it they do have a new studio something coming out this year but whether Rick Rubin is attached to it remains to be seen.
Just might have to bite the bullet and hobble down to Muskegon this June to see 'em. Circus or no circus.

A Heapin Mess A Blues Muscle / Beck, Bogert And Appice

I could come off sounding all-knowing and bad-ass by tossin out names like The Yardbirds, Vanilla Fudge or Cactus. But with my luck, somebody'd call me on it and I'd be busted.
Although it's true, one brother did bring home Vanilla Fudge, Big Brother and the Holding Company and Blue Cheer albums. While my other more halo-ed brother won out with albums by the Kingston Trio, Judy Collins and Blood Sweat and Tears. To this day I'm a little too sensitive. Thanks alot Karla Bonoff.

But IF I had a Jeff Beck period, Beck, Bogart and Appice were it.

While I haven't yet mastered how to upload tunes on my blog yet, there is still time. And while the two of you are waiting, please check out Beck, Bogert and Appice's Black Cat Moan on my Facebook thing, It's kick ass.

credits:
spiders.com