Home » Jazz Articles » Live Review » ZZ Top with special guests Gov't Mule at the Nikon at Jo...

4

ZZ Top with special guests Gov't Mule at the Nikon at Jones Beach Theater

By

Sign in to view read count
ZZ Top with special guests Gov't Mule
Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
Wantagh, NY
September 9, 2016

ZZ Top, known as the Little Ol' Band From Texas, has for the past forty-some-odd years been bringing its own special brand of rock 'n' roll with a boogie woogie, southern, bluesy flair (as well as facial hair) to the masses since its formation in Houston, TX in 1969. The band originally featured Billy Gibbons (guitar and vocals), an organist named Lanier Greig and Dan Mitchell on drums. When Dusty Hill (bass/vocals) and drummer Frank Beard (the only member of the band who does not look like the modern-day heirs to the Smith Bros. cough drop fortune) joined the group in 1970, the band began to take off. The trio was soon signed to a record contract and in 1971, released its debut album, ZZ Top's First Album on London Records. Over the course of its career, ZZ Top has sold millions of records and played for fans the world over. Gibbons, Hill and Beard (kinds of sounds like a law firm) have, during the course of their career received MTV Video Award nominations and wins, Grammy nominations, and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame.

Gov't Mule was formed in 1994. It came into being as a side project for Allman Brothers' guitarist Warren Haynes and bassist Allen Woody. Its music is a mix of southern rock, funk, blues and Americana-inspired jams. During its career, Gov't Mule has become more than just a side project. The band has released over twenty CDs and EPs. It has sold out venues across the country and the world. The band's fan base flocks to its shows in expectation, wondering who the band will surprise the crowd with as that evening's special guest. Gov't Mule is also a huge draw at music festivals. On a warm and muggy September evening at the Nikon at Jones Beach Theater, situated directly on the bay in Wantagh, NY, Gov't Mule began the evening with a sturdy seven song set. The set was far from short; the band played for an hour. Opening with "Bad Little Doggie" and closing with "Thorazine Shuffle," Haynes and company delivered exactly what its fans expected— jamband tour de force. Another highlight of its performance was the cover of the Allman Brothers' "Kind of Bird."

After a short intermission, ZZ Top (bassist Hill, dressed in blue jeans and a dark jacket while wearing his trademark cowboy hat and dark sunglasses, guitarist, Gibbons dressed in black with his bowler-type hat and dark sunglasses and drummer Beard, who was barely visible behind his oversized drum kit) took the stage to a huge round of applause.

With the audience already on its feet, the band launched into a high-energy version of "Got Me Under Pressure." It followed that up with "Waiting For The Bus" and "Jesus Just Left Chicago." With Gibbons brandishing a red SG-style six- string and Hill toting his cream colored bass featuring green and pink pin-striping, their beards flowed gently in the light breeze that drifted in from the water at the outdoor amphitheater. They juked and danced to the music while the crowd ate it up. Gibbons whose deep, deep, gravely, bluesy voice is as unique as his guitar playing, was the epitome of cool. His guitar playing was crisp and bright, and his vocals were spot-on. Hill's vocals were also solid, flawlessly meshing and contrasting with those of Gibbons.

Prior to "Gimme All Your Lovin,'" Gibbons, who was clearly having a good time, announced with a sly smirk, that it was "time to get the drummer some love." Following "Pincussion" Gibbons again addressed the crowd. He smiled and asked, "Are we having a good time tonight?" He continued for a while getting the audience riled up and then he stated, "Gov't Mule turned it up tonight...That's the way it is 'cause, you're bad, you're nationwide!" The band then ripped through the fan- favorite "I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide" during which Gibbons offered a guitar pick to a lucky young fan in the front row.

The hits-filled set continued with "I Gotsta Get Paid" featuring Hill on keyboards, a slowed-down version of "Rough Boy," the Jimi Hendrix tribute "Foxy Lady" (which, as smoke filled the stage, Gibbons announced, "We're gonna go back now."). The Robert Petway tune "Catfish Blues" (a song Muddy Waters called "Rollin' Stone") followed. Gibbons, then came forward and told a story about touring with Jeff Beck. He set the stage by saying, "Time to do something weird." He then leaned forward and stated, "ZZ Top doing something weird?!?" The crowd exploded with a mixture of whistles, cheers and laughter. Gibbons continued, "We toured Europe with Jeff Beck and when we asked him if he wanted to do something with us, he said, 'let's do a country song.'" What followed was a wild version of Merle Travis' "Sixteen Tons."

Over the years ZZ Top has released so many iconic songs. Even casual fans can name the hits. As is their custom, the biggest hits were saved for the last portion of the electrifying performance. Though the band's basic set may feature a few changes during the middle third of the show, the end is almost always the same. The audience expects it. The fans love it, and the band revels in it. The jab, jab, punch, uppercut barrage was a wonderful combination of "Cheap Sunglasses," "Chartreuse" (from the band's last studio album, La Futura released on American Recordings in 2012), "Sharp Dressed Man" and "Legs" (which featured the trademark fuzzy white guitar and bass made famous in the song's iconic video).

The evening's the encores were also the songs that customarily form the finale to a ZZ Top show—muscular versions of "La Grange" complete with an extended jam and "Tush."

ZZ Top's performance was top-notch, mixing dirty, funky blues with radio-friendly new wave-influenced pop- rock, carefully chosen covers and even a touch of country in a taught seventeen song onslaught. Gibbons' and Hill's vocals were strong. Beard's drumming was powerful and tasty. The band members were clearly enjoying themselves. And, most importantly, the audience members (as evidenced by the time spent dancing in the aisles, the smiles on their faces and their singing along with the band) had a blast.

The evening was a great pairing of two impressive and legendary acts. Gov't Mule got the crowd in the mood and ready to party delivering its special brand of southern jams. ZZ Top brought the boogie, woogie and the swagger. It was a bit surprising that the show did not feature a collaboration between the two bands or even between Gibbons and Haynes where the guitarslingers could play off of each other. Perhaps next time.

Photo Credit: Christine Connallon
[Additional article contributions by Christine Connallon].

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.
View events near New York City
Jazz Near New York City
Events Guide | Venue Guide | Local Businesses | More...

More

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.