“ZZ Top's First Album” is the debut studio album by the
American rock band ZZ Top. It was produced by manager Bill Ham, and was
released on January 16, 1971, on London Records. Establishing their attitude
and humor, ZZ Top incorporated boogie, hard rock, and Southern rock influences
into their sound. Thematically, the album is lively, playful and at times
brash, filled with the band's personal experiences and sexual innuendos that
became central to the group's image. Seeking inspiration from Fleetwood Mac, ZZ
Top began recording the album at Robin Hood Studios in Tyler, Texas.
"(Somebody Else Been) Shakin' Your Tree" was the only single released
from the album, it failed to appear on the Billboard charts.
In 1987, this album was remixed for CD release. In 2013, the original vinyl mix was released on HD Tracks in high-resolution digital download formats. The original mix of the album was released on CD in June 2013 as part of the box set The Complete Studio Albums (1970–1990). In October 2017 a 180 gram vinyl edition of the album was released, using the original mix.
ZZ Top frontman Billy Gibbons said of the title:
“We called the record ZZ Top's First Album because we wanted everyone to know that there would be more. We weren't certain if we'd get another chance in the studio, but we had high hopes.”
Gibbons also said:
“We had been together for about six months and were knocking around the bar scene, playing all the usual funky joints. We took the studio on as an extension of the stage show. The basics were all of us playing together in one room, but we didn't want to turn our backs on contemporary recording techniques. To give our sound as much presence and support as possible, we became a little more than a three piece with the advantages of overdubbing. It was the natural kind of support – some rhythm guitar parts, a little bit of texture. That was about it.”
In 1987, this album was remixed for CD release. In 2013, the original vinyl mix was released on HD Tracks in high-resolution digital download formats. The original mix of the album was released on CD in June 2013 as part of the box set The Complete Studio Albums (1970–1990). In October 2017 a 180 gram vinyl edition of the album was released, using the original mix.
ZZ Top frontman Billy Gibbons said of the title:
“We called the record ZZ Top's First Album because we wanted everyone to know that there would be more. We weren't certain if we'd get another chance in the studio, but we had high hopes.”
Gibbons also said:
“We had been together for about six months and were knocking around the bar scene, playing all the usual funky joints. We took the studio on as an extension of the stage show. The basics were all of us playing together in one room, but we didn't want to turn our backs on contemporary recording techniques. To give our sound as much presence and support as possible, we became a little more than a three piece with the advantages of overdubbing. It was the natural kind of support – some rhythm guitar parts, a little bit of texture. That was about it.”
“ZZ Top's First Album” este albumul de studio de debut al
trupei americane de rock ZZ Top. A fost produs de managerul Bill Ham si lansat
la 16 ianuarie 1971 la London Records. Stabilindu-si atitudinea si umorul, ZZ
Top a incorporate boogie, hard rock si influente de rock sudist in sunetul lor.
Tematic, albumul este plin de viata, jucaus si uneori nerusinat, plin de
experientele personale ale trupei si cu aluzii sexuale pe alocuri, care devin
parte principal din imaginea trupei. Cautandu-si inspiratie de la Fleetwood
Mac, ZZ Top au inceput inregistrarea albumului la Robin Hood Studios din Tyler,
Texas. "(Somebody Else Been)
Shakin' Your Tree" a fost primul single de pe album, dar a ratat intrarea
in clasamentele de la Billboard.
In 1987 albumul a fost rearanjat pentru relansare pe CD. In 2013 aranjamentul de pe discul original de vinil a fost relansat cu piese HD in formate de descarcare cu inalta rezolutie. Aranjamentul original al albumului a fost relansat pe CD in iunie 2013 ca parte a box setului The Complete Studio Albums (1970–1990). In octombrie 2013 o editie de 180 de grame a discului de vinil a fost relansata, folosind aranjamentul original.
Vocalistul Billie Gibbons a spus despre titlu:
“Noi am numit inregistrarea ZZ Top's First Album deoarece am vrut ca lumea sa stie ca vor mai fi si altele. Nu eram siguri ca vom mai avea o sansa sa intram in studio, dar aveam mari sperante”.
De asemenea, Gibbons a mai spus:
“Am fost impreuna pentru circa 6 luni si eram pe scena barului cantand cam aceleasi vechituri uzuale. Am intrat in studio ca intr-o extensie a scenei barului. Cantam impreuna in aceeasi camera, asta fiind de baza, dar nu am intors spatele tehnicilor contemporane de inregistrare. Pentru a da sunetului nostru ajutor si prezenta cat mai multa, am devenit mai mult decat trei piese, cu avantajul suprimprimarii de sunet. A fost un ajutor natural provenit din parti de chitara ritmica si ceva constructie consistenta a pieselor. Despre asta a fost vorba.”
In 1987 albumul a fost rearanjat pentru relansare pe CD. In 2013 aranjamentul de pe discul original de vinil a fost relansat cu piese HD in formate de descarcare cu inalta rezolutie. Aranjamentul original al albumului a fost relansat pe CD in iunie 2013 ca parte a box setului The Complete Studio Albums (1970–1990). In octombrie 2013 o editie de 180 de grame a discului de vinil a fost relansata, folosind aranjamentul original.
Vocalistul Billie Gibbons a spus despre titlu:
“Noi am numit inregistrarea ZZ Top's First Album deoarece am vrut ca lumea sa stie ca vor mai fi si altele. Nu eram siguri ca vom mai avea o sansa sa intram in studio, dar aveam mari sperante”.
De asemenea, Gibbons a mai spus:
“Am fost impreuna pentru circa 6 luni si eram pe scena barului cantand cam aceleasi vechituri uzuale. Am intrat in studio ca intr-o extensie a scenei barului. Cantam impreuna in aceeasi camera, asta fiind de baza, dar nu am intors spatele tehnicilor contemporane de inregistrare. Pentru a da sunetului nostru ajutor si prezenta cat mai multa, am devenit mai mult decat trei piese, cu avantajul suprimprimarii de sunet. A fost un ajutor natural provenit din parti de chitara ritmica si ceva constructie consistenta a pieselor. Despre asta a fost vorba.”
List of tracks
Side 1
1."(Somebody Else Been) Shaking Your Tree" Billy Gibbons 2:32
2."Brown Sugar" Gibbons 5:22
3."Squank" Gibbons,
Dusty Hill, Bill Ham 2:46
4."Goin' Down to Mexico" Gibbons, Hill, Ham 3:26
5."Old Man" Gibbons,
Hill, Frank Beard 3:23
Side 2
1."Neighbor, Neighbor" Gibbons 2:18
2."Certified Blues" Gibbons, Beard, Ham 3:25
3."Bedroom Thang" Gibbons 4:37
4."Just Got Back from Baby's" Gibbons, Ham 4:07
5."Backdoor Love Affair" Gibbons, Ham 3:20
Personnel
ZZ Top
Billy Gibbons – guitar, vocals
Dusty Hill – bass guitar, keyboards, backing vocals, lead
vocal on "Goin' Down to Mexico", co-lead vocal on "Squank"
Frank Beard – drums, percussion (credited as "Rube
Beard")
Production
Producer – Bill Ham
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