Retro Reviews: ZZ Top: Tres Hombres

      I decided to launch a new series to imagine myself as a critic at the end of the 60s and start of the 70s, and to rectify certain reviews from Rolling Stone magazine and Creem. This not meant to be contrarian, but to offer a more balanced perspective. All the albums reviewed are indeed classic albums. In light of the recent news about Mr. Beard, this has been in the cue for a spell and we decided to release it. In tribute, Rest in Peace rock legend Frank Beard.

ZZ Top – Tres Hombres (1973)

****

Producer: Bill Ham

Musicians: Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill, Frank Beard

Songs: Waitin’ On The Buss, Jesus Just Left Chicago, Bear Drinkers & Hell Raisers, Master of Sparks, Hot Blue & Righteous, Move Me on Down the Line, Precious and Grace, La Grange, Shiek, Have You Heard?

Reviewed by Matthew Anthony Allair

    Something interesting is happening with ZZ Top’s third album, this Texas blues and rock band, sounds like they have a deep connection to Memphis. Some peers have compared them to The Allman Bros Band, but for one this seems erroneous, they are a trio that has a boogie accent to their work, this impression has left some unfair expectations by peers who don’t seem to want to assess them truly. Billy Gibbons is not Duane Allman, but Billy has his own unique take on southern blues. Dusty Hill and Frank Beard are quite good support players, and Dusty is a good second lead vocalist. This is largely unpretentious and direct, one can hear traces of various types of blues, John Lee Hooker, even a number that hints at gospel. This is all original material. Billy manages such a gritty sound when he plays in full, but he manages to find the right approach for each number, this album isn’t as loud and brash as some have suggested, but it has it’s moments. There’s a tale that Gibbons jammed with Jimi Hendrix, and Hendrix liked him. That sounds like a ringing endorsement, especially from Jimi’s stature. Therefore, people shouldn’t discount them.

    The obvious single is “La Grange” a number that channels The John Lee Hooker spirit before it comes in full. The album opener “Waitin’ On The Bus” has a blues and funk accent with a fairly blistering harmonica solo, and cutting Wah solo. The way that the number transitions into “Jesus Just Left Chicago”, a six-chord blues ballad that has an emotive ease within, and a blue solo that seems to channel Page. There’s some quiet good vocal trade offs between Gibbons and Hill on “Bear Drinkers and Hell Raisers”. The dynamic “Master of Sparks” has some slinky, southern swamp slide work, as well as incendiary lead guitar work. “Hot, Blue and Righteous” is a more gospel blues ballad where the band is allowed to sit back and focus on Hill and Gibbons vocals. Some of the three part harmonies may remind some of Neil Young’s vocal style.

    Side two’s “Move Me on Down The Line” has a more dual guitar pop leaning, with an interesting breakdown and searing guitar lead. The darker groove of “Precious and Grace” has some inventive drumming, just another aspect of their definition of ‘the blues’. The aforementioned “La Grange” take things to a new level for them. The clean, broken blues accents of “Shiek” makes this an interesting number, with some playful Wah RNB Wah guitar included. The closer “Have You Heard?” is the closest to them channeling The Allman Bros Band, and it’s a fitting closer. 

    This Texas trio has laid down a vision of the blues on their own terms. Some of my peers have been too reactive on their assessment of this promising band, I will look forward to seeing their evolution with interest.