Degüello
Occupation
- Billy Gibbons: Vocals, Guitar
- Dusty Hill: vocals, bass
- Frank Beard: Drums
Degüello is the sixth album by American blues-rock band ZZ Top. It was published in August 1979 by Warner Bros. Records. The album reached platinum status in 1984 for 1,000,000 units sold in the U.S.. The album title refers Degüello a military bugle, which was first used in 1836 by Mexican troops.
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After the previous album " Tejas " and the separation from her record company London Records, the band had taken a break. Singer and guitarist Billy Gibbons remained at some time in the UK and France and had contact with the other band members sleep. As the band got together again, neither Gibbons nor had shaved bassist Dusty Hill, since that time the two musicians come up with the become the trademark beards.
The band was faced with the burgeoning punk movement, trying to hold on to their blues roots and at the same time to diversify their musical spectrum broader. Thus, in " Cheap Sunglasses " synthesizer were first used. The song is meant as a tribute to the musical influences of the band, who wore such a "cheap sunglasses ". The idea of " I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide " originated after attending a concert by Freddie King, with the song the band is trying to describe the " passionate intensity of this experience, this kind of pervasive corruption ." On the album there are two cover versions. The first track of the album " I Thank You" was written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter and recorded by Sam & Dave in 1968. With " Dust My Broom ", the band interpreted a blues standard new, dating back to a recording of Robert Johnson from 1936 ( "I Believe I'll Dust My Broom "). In the credits for the album is as author, however, Elmore James called, it is clear today no doubt, who has composed the piece.
The album title Degüello represents an eponymous horn signal using the Mexican troops during the Battle of the Alamo in 1836. It expresses the fact that neither asked for mercy nor what is granted.
For the CD version of the so-called six-pack album in 1985 should actually be re-edited due to legal differences to " Dust My Broom " had to Degüello but first Reset and attacked instead return for the sequel to El Loco. Degüello was later published in its original version on CD.
Title list
Reception
Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic considers the album for the best since the 1973 album " Tres Hombres ". The sound of ZZ Top has become harder, be it lyrically the wildest album of the band, in contrast, the production is very streamlined. For Erlewine is " Degüello " one of the strongest albums by ZZ Top. Lester Bangs by the music magazine Rolling Stone called the album a " skillful kick in the guts " and concludes that " punks wore razor blades, the band but they play live ." Noticed Jaan Uhelszki of super70s.com that the band with songs like the pounding " I Thank You", the salacious "Hi Fi Mama" and the großkotzigen " I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide " close to the border of good taste was, but that they do not care about as long as they entertain.