ZZ Top - Live From Texas

Texan trio rest on their laurels, enjoyably

It’s fair to say that if you don’t like ZZ Top, this won’t change your mind. Here, the hirsute Texans play a setlist equating to their greatest hits in front of a rabid home crowd. Not quite the greatest challenge of their career then! Nevertheless, there’s a “what’s not to like?” quality about ZZ Top which is very much to the fore throughout.

Personal preference will dictate which tracks are best, but it’s hard to beat the laidback boogie of earlier numbers such as Waitin’ For The Bus, which the band saunter through without breaking a sweat. That’s not to say they sleepwalk through the show though; Billy Gibbons is never in danger of losing his reputation for being one of rock’s most incisive guitarists.

The glossy 80s hits are represented as well, while for Legs they even break out the furry guitars to rapturous applause. Bringing things up to date are some slightly less well-worn numbers and, all in all, it’s an entertaining package with plenty of fan-pleasing extras. Not a demanding experience, but the volume of great songs alone is enough to sustain the band’s classic status.

Eagle Rock Entertainment | EREDV 688

Reviewed by William Pinfold
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