Published on Jan 17, 1998
Doesn’t it seem a bit odd to think that in 1979 ZZ Top was in
the process of releasing a “comeback” album?
After five moderately well-received albums and a top 20 hit in
“Tush,” the Texas trio took a hiatus in 1976 following a year-long
world tour. Maybe they wanted to submerge themselves in their roots
again, maybe they wanted just to kick back after a grueling tour –
truth is, I dunno. But when Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank
Beard returned to the studio in 1979, they came back with a
vengenace with
Deguello, their best album to that point.
Their blues roots are very evident here, though ZZ Top always
have gloried in the blues. “Dust My Broom” might be more electric
than the original version by Robert Johnson, but this version is
incredibly close to the bone. The slide guitar of Gibbons clinches
it here; his leads are so fluid.
A few of the cuts on
Deguello have become standard classic rock radio fare.
“Cheap Sunglasses” is probably one of the best-known songs on this
disc, and Gibbons’s guitar work especially stands out, but it
really isn’t the best song on the disc. “I Thank You” shows its
power in a more minimal arrangement, while “I’m Bad, I’m
Nationwide” is just an average ZZ Top song.
The real shining moments on
Deguello come from some of the lesser-known songs. “Manic
Mechanic” is one of the lightest moments I think I’ve ever heard in
ZZ Top’s career, and it’s a killer track, right down to the vocal
effects. “A Fool For Your Stockings” is a more tender blues in
sound, while “She Loves My Automobile” brings back memories of
Elvin Bishop.
And while there are one or two moments on
Deguello that show signs of rust due to the layoff, ZZ Top
were able to top their other five albums hands-down. This is the
type of album that you can slap in the CD player and leave on
“repeat” without getting tired of it.
And, come to think of it, the break was probably just the thing
the boys needed. It’s been a while since I listened to their 1976
album
Tejas, but I seem to remember it was a step down for Hill
and crew. On
Deguello, it really sounds like the band was enjoying
themselves in the studio – not taking it too seriously, but
focusing on the quality of the songs. Even the weakest song,
“Esther Be The One,” passes quickly due to the more laid-back sound
and attitude.
The superstar status was still five years and a cable network
away, but it didn’t seem to matter with
Deguello. The down home blues-rock on this one will keep you
kicking up your heels in joy for hours.