Anyone Catch ZZ Top @ Fest?

[MormonMatthew]

Hey Now All --- Did anyone check out the ZZ Top set at Fest this year? Reason I am asking is that ZZ Top will be playing here in Salt Lake this thursday, and I have not decided if I should score a ticket or not..... I dont know alot about their music, except for the songs I heard as a kid in high school, which I always thought were pretty good..... The place that the show is at is a large ampitheater, which I dont care for too much (expensive beers, long lines for everything, etc.) but I know that they are one of the few bands still together after 30+ years and that has to speak highly that they are doing something right. I am on the fence about going, so if anyone has strong opinions-pro OR con- please let me know what you think. Hope everyone is doing well, and having a funky summer. Matthew

[NOLA]

Hey Now, Matthew,

I was among those crazies out in the deluge waiting for Billy, Dusty and Frank on the second Friday. I've been a fan for a long time, and nothing was going to stop me and my accomplices from seeing the Lil' Ol' Band from Texas making their first Jazz Fest appearance!

I thought the Jazz Fest set was strong, maybe not their very best but then again the conditions weren't exactly the best either. IMHO, Billy doesn't get the credit he deserves as a blues guitarist, probably because the guys in the band just like to have a lot of fun and maybe don't take the music (or themselves) as seriously as some other groups. His slide work on Jesus Done Left Chicago at Fest was amazing. ZZ can still rock with the best of 'em.

I saw them 2 or 3 years ago in a much smaller amphitheater venue, up very close, and thought it was the best set I had heard from them in years. Bottom line for me is, they've still "got it" and they still bring their A game when they are on stage. I hope you go and let us know what you think!

[mangoon]

I would also highly recommend seeing them Matthew. I thought their fest set was awsome. Definately in my top 5 fest sets all time. Good mix of older tunes and the popular stuff from the 80's. It was the first time I ever saw them live, so I have nothing else to compare it to but I thought they sounded great. They are playing up here soon and Im going to make evey attempt to see them again based on what I heard at the fest.

[MormonMatthew]

Hey Frank!!! I was hoping to hear from you! Hope your having a great summer.... I remember how much you like ZZ Top and am glad to learn that you feel they are still going strong. I am not too familiar with their music, but what I have heard I like. I like your musical tastes, so your recommendation goes a long way..... I will let you know how it turns out! Thanks, Matthew

[sophisticated sissy]

Ah- haw- haw- haw- haw...


Yes, they were great! I'd see 'em again if I had the chance. Sounds like you have issues w/ the venue. Sometimes a great band can't overcome these problems you mention. On the fence... take out a quarter & flip it.:)

[NOLA]

YYR, Matthew, I admit to being a long-time fan of ZZ - I saw 'em for the first time in '76 (Texxas World Tour). I don't think you'll be disappointed!

[Zbonnie]

I had never seen them live before this year's JazzFest. I thought they were EXCELLENT. Of course, the location and the partying Canajuns I glommed onto helped amplify the experience. Personally, I would not go seem them (or almost anyone) in the type of place you describe, Matthew. That's just me. I don't know if they even play any smaller places. They ARE a great band, though who have some recorded some of the funnest songs ever and really get the crowd going! My fave:

EVERYBODY'S CRAZY 'BOUT A SHARP-DRESSED MAN (cue distinctive guitar lick here)!

[chicagomike]

It was good. I actually started to dry out by the time they played. I had no raincoat, umbrella, poncho etc. I almost gave up. Man I was wet. :p

[NOLA]

It was good. I actually started to dry out by the time they played. I had no raincoat, umbrella, poncho etc. I almost gave up. Man I was wet. :p

I had all of the above, and I was still wet. We actually DID give up, packed up our stuff and were headed out when I heard John Boutte in the Jazz Tent. We stopped to listen for a bit and by the time he was done, the r@*n had stopped and we went right back out to our spot for ZZ.

[pokerchick66]

I was there with ChicagoMike and it was OFF THE HOOK! I came right before the show so I didn't get wet at all, ha ha. The show was awesome and I highly suggest that you go, GO, GO! They're were a blast and you'll be glad you did. I want to hear all about it, too. Have fun! :p

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o231/monica7966/JF2ndWeekend2007012.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o231/monica7966/JF2ndWeekend2007004.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o231/monica7966/JF2ndWeekend2007002.jpg

[MormonMatthew]

Hey Now--- You kids are all AWESOME!!! I really appreiciate your input, and taking the time to share your opinions. I just found out that there are 2 opening acts, the Stray Cats (who I am not too familiar with) and the Pretenders, who I have always really, really enjoyed...... So, long story short, I just went down and grabbed a couple tickets. It sounds too good to pass up!!! Thanks again to all for the good advice; I think the world of all you, and hope you are having a great summer. Your "mormon" Friend, Matthew.

[pokerchick66]

Hey Now--- You kids are all AWESOME!!! I really appreiciate your input, and taking the time to share your opinions. I just found out that there are 2 opening acts, the Stray Cats (who I am not too familiar with) and the Pretenders, who I have always really, really enjoyed...... So, long story short, I just went down and grabbed a couple tickets. It sounds too good to pass up!!! Thanks again to all for the good advice; I think the world of all you, and hope you are having a great summer. Your "mormon" Friend, Matthew.

Stray Cats are fun but I hope you get the Pretenders. :)

You're gonna have a good time.

[ohio]

Hey Now--- You kids are all AWESOME!!! I really appreiciate your input, and taking the time to share your opinions. I just found out that there are 2 opening acts, the Stray Cats (who I am not too familiar with) and the Pretenders, who I have always really, really enjoyed...... So, long story short, I just went down and grabbed a couple tickets. It sounds too good to pass up!!! Thanks again to all for the good advice; I think the world of all you, and hope you are having a great summer. Your "mormon" Friend, Matthew.
Matthew, Stray Cats is Brian Setzer's rockabilly band from the 80's. Big fun!
I love the Pretenders too, last saw them at a Neil Young show around '01 Have fun!

And last night I saw a naked cowgirl.
She was floatin' across the ceiling.
She was mumblin to some howlin' wolf
about some voodoo healin'.

[Rossvegas]

I dunno if I saw them or not. I sat out the r*ain delay in a tent outside of Liuzza's, and they had these drinks there called bloody mary's...

Were they the dudes with the beards? If so, I was there! (sort of.) :>)

[ibjamn]

OMG! I would give most anything to see THAT line-up!!

[denbear]

Where Y'at Matthew??? Yep, good move gettin' ZZ tix! Caught the opening of their Fest set prior to planned shift to Wolfman Washington @ the Blues tent. (Caught a lot of split sets this Fest) Billy, Dusty & Frank served up PRECISELY what I was hoping for : after playfully opening w/ a rousing "Get High, Everybody Get High", they launched into "Francine", "Waitin' for the Bus" & (SWEET) "Jesus Just Left Chicago". YYR!!! Old school ZZ kick ass rock!
Definitely had a big damn grin as I headed off for Wolfman. You'll have fun!

[MormonMatthew]

Hey Now Dennis--- Good to hear from you. Hey, when you get the chance hit me with your phone #....... I was looking to catch Porter-Batiste-Stoltz and Karl Denson at the Brews Festival in Squaw Valley this weekend, but I couldn't reach ya. You gonna be there? If so, I can still get a reasonably priced flight into Reno, if I book it by tommorow. If you will be there, give me a shout and we can meet up. Have a great summer, Matthew

[denbear]

Yah, mon, discussed PBS @ Squaw w/ zkitty yesterday while listening to an acoustic Deadbeats (INCREDIBLE Dead-alikes) set. Oooh Yah! I shall be most eager to indulge in the mighty array of microbrews assembled before Denson & Shorty & PBS. Oh, my! Cell #'s 530-559-5594 ...

[larrybawlmer]

I had no intention of seeing ZZ but I ran into a friend walking that way so I checked it out. Held me for half a set and it was a hoot!! I grew up with it and it's still kinda cool.

[VWGal]

I dunno if I saw them or not. I sat out the r*ain delay in a tent outside of Liuzza's, and they had these drinks there called bloody mary's...

Were they the dudes with the beards? If so, I was there! (sort of.) :>)

But Ross, did you see them in 1974/75 at the Winnipeg Arena? First (and last) time this country girl ever did see longhorns on amps!

Would love to see the Pretenders Matthew! Probably about 15 years too late for their prime, and of course the original band cannot be together, but have always loved Chrissie Hynde.

[mariena]

Loved them! Glad I was there! We had gone back to our hotel room after the r@in had stopped to get dry clothes on. Took a nice nap and almost missed it. But after we quickly got ready and come back to the fairgrounds it was great!!
Mariena

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

Da Boys were rocking at JF. Caught half of their set, had to see George Benson. Small crowd that day made it easy to get around.