I POLLed It On The ILX! - ILM Artist Poll #110 - ZZ Top - Results Thread

https://img.discogs.com/T2e5vv1oHXcleMmeWlL5D3y2lQg=/fit-in/600x600/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-1291640-1367093438-1325.jpeg.jpg

4. Eliminator
1983
28 Points (11 Votes, 2 #1's)

xp yes, shame about the other side

the live cuts aren't bad by any means, but you'd hope that a band as creatively red hot as the top were at the time could deliver more than 5 new studio songs with an lp

I think they were just touring too much to write/record at that specific time, but yeah it's a mixed bag. The expanded edition has more live cuts, but are there any studio outtakes at all from this period, like on that (non-re-recorded) box set I still need to hear?

The live side is more like "here's another facet of the ZZ Top experience" rather than a stretch of music you'd want to relisten to.

I don't think there are any. The only box set rarities have been remixes, radio-exclusive singles, and non-LP singles.

The live side of Fandango! smokes btw, wtf?

the live version of "heard it" from the expanded version with full dusty vocals is incredible

^^ yes

One of my favorite things about the live part of Fandango! is there isn't much (if any) doctoring, so there's mic shrieks and amp buzz; there's even a five or so second channel drop out on the rampaging "Backdoor Medley".

BTW, I believe the live bonuses on the Fandango! & Trees Hombres remasters are all Deguello-era or thereabouts.

yeah i'm pretty sure that live "heard it" is this one from german television (1980)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTHV4yYg3r8

either way, it smokes

https://lgsenses.files.wordpress.com/2015/12/zztop_tejas.jpg

3. Tejas
1976
36 Points (9 Votes, 4 #1's)

too low

whaaat

poor Deguello

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81Qv8OOXwcL._SX466_.jpg

2. Degüello
1979
39 Points (11 Votes, 2 #1's)

The Tejas gatefold cover looks like they were going for Tales from Topographic Badlands.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41lTNpt9ciL.jpg

https://img.texasmonthly.com/2016/01/zz-top-tres-hombres-mexican-feast3-copy1.jpg?auto=compress&crop=faces&fit=fit&fm=pjpg&ixlib=php-1.2.1&q=45&w=800

1. Tres Hombres
1973
48 Points (13 Votes, 5 #1's)

The Tejas gatefold cover looks like they were going for Tales from Topographic Badlands.

― Halfway there but for you, Friday, October 1, 2021 2:28 PM (two minutes ago) bookmarkflaglink

snappy kakkie (dance of the dawn)

ohh somehow I missed Eliminator before! very cool

thred move fast

shoutout to whoever the other #1 voter was for Degüello

Tejas over Eliminator seems like a very nu-ILM stance, not a dis just an observation

eliminator is an album of peaks and valleys, imo, while tejas is a sustained vibe that they never really achieved or attempted again

Agree, Tejas was my #1 for that reason.

Since it didn't place in this album countdown, I'm curious how El Loco will fare in the tracks poll.

Ha, the top 4 albums are exactly as they appeared on my ballot (I had La Futura at #5).

There were 15 Tracks Ballots, with 76 different numbers receiving votes, from which a "Top 41" was selected.

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m7TK_vIdql8/W7GMagE57MI/AAAAAAAABUw/3blliZKz9ck5KXuJaabRT5955CM-9oNzgCLcBGAs/s1600/4907580226_da0b95f2de.jpg

40 (Tie). “Enjoy And Get It On”
Tejas, 1976
40 Points (2 Votes)

The Track
Six Pack Mix

https://www.hivplusmag.com/sites/default/files/2012/12/10/VintageCondomx400_HIVPLUS.jpg

40 (Tie). “Sheik”
Tres Hombres, 1973
40 Points (2 Votes)

The Track

"Enjoy and Get It On" was my #9: so many little funny digressions and hooks from the entire band, including some great slide guitar, and Billy singing in his rare "drawl" voice rather than his more-common "scratchy" voice.

https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/americandad/images/9/90/Billy_Gibbons.png/revision/latest?cb=20100127162142

39. “Francine”
Rio Grande Mud, 1972
41 Points (2 Votes)

The Track
Spanish Version
Six Pack Version

Losing that image probably for the best. Try this instead:

https://img.discogs.com/Oz2J49dQl_IrzHBzk8PCHjGmwi0=/fit-in/500x500/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-3425778-1348744028-7146.jpeg.jpg

i think i voted for "sheik," that's a great groove

“Sheik” is awesome, one of the songs I totally forgot about when I made my ballot.

https://www.defunkd.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Stormcrow_11691324096427.jpg

38. “Stages”
Afterburner, 1985
42 Points (3 Votes)

Music Video
Japanese TV, Miami Vice Pants, Ridiculous Toupees

https://bravewords.com/medias-static/images/news/2019/5DC1E63C-zz-top-40th-anniversary-of-deguello-album-celebrated-on-inthestudio-billy-gibbons-dusty-hill-frank-beard-interviewed-image.jpeg

37. “HiFi Mama”
Degüello, 1979
42 Points (2 Votes)

The Track
Live In Germany, 1980

I’m not much of a fan of this one, it sounds like it could have been recorded by Kenny Loggins for Footloose. Even the single sleeve is as Miami Vice as could possibly be and still retain some semblance of ZZ Top.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f8/ZZ_Top_Stages.jpg

I’m not much of a fan of this one, it sounds like it could have been recorded by Kenny Loggins for Footloose. Even the single sleeve is as Miami Vice as could possibly be and still retain some semblance of ZZ Top.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f8/ZZ_Top_Stages.jpg

I’m not much of a fan of this one, it sounds like it could have been recorded by Kenny Loggins for Footloose. Even the single sleeve is as Miami Vice as could possibly be and still retain some semblance of ZZ Top.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f8/ZZ_Top_Stages.jpg

Bloody phone…

Damn AfterburnerMobile.

Got another tie, and I'll return w/more tracks on Monday.

afterburner leaves me cold in general, i don't think i voted for any of its tracks

"hi fi mama" is cool with its dusty performance and 7/b9 chords, but i think i left it off, just cause there are other zz top 12-bars that i like a little more

hmm listening back and i definitely could've voted for it. 20 tracks is not a lot

https://carscoms.com/img/1955-chrysler-new-yorker-chrysler-hemi-project-rat-rod-282918043421/0.jpg

35 (Tie). “Mexican Blackbird”
Fandango!, 1975
46 Points (2 Votes)

The Track
Six Pack Version

https://storage.googleapis.com/hippostcard/p/c7fccb0e0254f358f5068397d6be1504-800.jpg

35 (Tie). “Move Me On Down The Line”
Tres Hombres, 1973
46 Points (2 Votes)

The Track
Six Pack Version

aww Hi Fi Mama TOO LOW

"Move Me On Down The Line" also made my ballot, love it

Afterburner is the one ZZ Top album I never, ever listen to. Even the RCA albums are better.

eliminator is an album of peaks and valleys, imo, while tejas is a sustained vibe that they never really achieved or attempted again

One of the cool things about Eliminator is that it has this whole futurization vibe, particularly in the album tracks which are almost all kind of throwbacks as songs underneath the sheen: "I Need You Tonight" is a Hi Records-style soul love jam; "Dirty Dog" and "Bad Girl" are straight-up '60s Garage; and "If Could Only Flag Her Down" wouldn't be out of place in the songbooks of T-Bone Walker or Hank Ballard. There's an expansiveness that they never quite had before, and never really had again.

Buddy Guy knows what's up:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHwlBz4ekCw

Rogermexico just curious, do you have examples of those fkn Thorogood clones? I’m struggling to think of any. ZZ Top’s combination of Texas roadhouse blues and MTV glitz seems so singular to me. (I actually like George a lot fwiw, but feel like his approach was much more purist. Bad to the Bone, his breakthrough, also predates Eliminator by a year.)

Also this Re: "Can't Take My Eyes Off You/Where The Streets Have No Name"

Neil: "The extended mix really sounds like ZZ Top, I think. When I went to America to work for the American version of Smash Hits I heard ZZ Top for the first time, and there were two of their songs I particularly liked, 'Sharp Dressed Man' and 'Legs.' I loved the combination of electric guitars and drum machines.… And I think this sounds a little bit like that."

From http://www.geowayne.com/newDesign/lists/songinfluences.htm

PSB and OMD in ZZ Mutual Appreciation Society Frenzy

great poll, thanks for doing it C Grisso, I'm sorry I missed the original call as I would have tried to submit a ballot

My ballot. I went for "Rhythmeen" and "What It Is Kid" even though I knew they had no chance of placing. Those are the two latter day Top songs that really got me interested in the band after years of indifference. Their RCA years are super cool to me, even though the only song they do live from that era anymore is "I Gotsta Get Paid." It speaks to the strength of their back catalog that they play nothing but big hits for an hour plus and it doesn't leave time for any deep cuts.

Albums:
1. Tres Hombres
2. Deguello
3. Tejas
4. Fandango
5. Eliminator

Songs:
1. La Grange
2. Tush
3. Bus/Jesus
4. Heard it in the X
5. Sharp Dressed Man
6. Cheap Sunglasses
7. Brown Sugar
8. I’m Bad I’m Nationwide
9. Fool For Your Stockings
10. Just Got Paid
11. Blue Jean Blues
12. It’s Only Love
13. Tube Snake Boogie
14. Legs
15. Rhythmeen
16. What It Is Kid
17. My Head’s in Mississippi
18. Asleep in the Desert
19. Rough Boy
20. Gimme All Your Lovin

I didn't vote in this because I've only very recently gotten properly into ZZ-Top, but listening to these records I am consistently astonished at what a great drummer Frank Beard is. Somehow both incredibly tight and loose at the same time. Tejas and Degüello are my favorites currently. Am I correct that these two (Tejas in particular) are their funkiest?

jfc sorry for using so many adverbs there

El Loco has some New Wave Funk.

Should have been #1:

https://rave.dj/44P2VR7JdtM2Ag

Thanks for doing this poll C Grisso, it was awesome. Here's my ballot (strikethroughs didn't make it)

Songs:
I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide
Cheap Sunglasses
Waitin' for the Bus/Jesus Just Left Chicago
Just Got Paid
Sharp Dressed Man
Heard It on the X
I Thank You
Shiek
Avalon Hideaway
Got Me Under Pressure
Lowdown in the Street
It's Only Love
Legs
Master of Sparks
Enjoy and Get It On
Asleep in the Desert
(Somebody Else Been) Shaking Your Tree
I Gotsta Get Paid
I Wanna Drive You Home
La Grange

Albums:
Degüello
Tejas
Tres Hombres
Eliminator
ZZ Top's First Album

Results Roundup:

Side Projects/Early Stuff:

5. Moving Sidewalks: “I Want To Hold Your Hand”
4. Moving Sidewalks: “What Are You Going To Do?”
3. Moving Sidewalks: “Need Me”
2. Moving Sidewalks: “Every Night A New Surprise”
1. Moving Sidewalks: “99th Floor”

Music Videos:

8 (Tie). “I Gotsta Get Paid”
8 (Tie). “Pincushion”
7. “Burger Man”
5 (Tie). “Sharp Dressed Man”
5 (tie). “Sleeping Bag”
4. “Legs”
3. “Gimme All Your Lovin’”
2. “TV Dinners”
1. “Rough Boy”

Albums:

6. Rio Grande Mud
5. Fandango!
4. Eliminator
3. Tejas
2. Degüello
1. Tres Hombres

Tracks Poll:

40 (Tie). “Enjoy And Get It On”
40 (Tie). “Sheik”
39. “Francine”
38. “Stages”
37. “HiFi Mama”
35 (Tie). “Mexican Blackbird”
35 (Tie). “Move Me On Down The Line”
34. “Arrested For Driving While Blind”
33. “Sure Got Cold After The Rain Fell”
32. “My Head’s In Mississippi”
31. “Blue Jean Blues”
30. “She Loves My Automobile”
29. “Asleep In The Desert”
28. “Ten Dollar Man”
27. “I Got The Six”
26. “Sleeping Bag”
25. “A Fool For Your Stockings”
24. “Nasty Dogs And Funky Kings”
23. “I Wanna Drive You Home”
22. “Pearl Necklace”
21. “Precious and Grace”
20. “Got Me Under Pressure”
19. “Tube Snake Boogie”
17 (Tie). “I Gotsta Get Paid”
17 (Tie). “It’s Only Love”
16. “Brown Sugar”
15. “Rough Boy”
14. “I Thank You”
13. “El Diablo”
12. “Legs”
11. “Master of Sparks”
10. “Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers”
9. “Gimme All Your Lovin’”
8. “Tush”
7. “Sharp Dressed Man”
6. “Heard It On The X”
5. “I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide”
4. “Just Got Paid”
3. “Cheap Sunglasses”
2. “La Grange”
1. “Waiting For The Bus/Jesus Just Left Chicago”

No "Pan Am American Highway Blues" or "She's a Heartbreaker"? That 2nd side of Tejas is subtly great.

agreed, one year later--those two would both be top 20 for me--I also think this whole record just SOUNDS unbelievably good