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ZZ Top--That Little Ol' Band From Texas--Dusty Hill, Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard--Two Guys With Beards & A Guy NAMED Beard... After thirty-six years, fourteen studio albums and multiple compilation packages, the boyzz still have the mystique and style that made them huge stars. Most people know at least five ZZ Top songs off the top of their head--La Grange, Tush, Gimme All Your Lovin', Sharp Dressed Man and Legs (all of which are represented on this release)--but the band goes much, much deeper than that. From the bluesy squank of their early London Records to the slick rockin' techno blues of the eighties Warner Brothers releases to the Drums-Bass-Fuzzy Guitar of the RCA era, the "same three guys playing the same three chords" (a humorous understatement by Gibbons himself) have always entertained, inspired and amused audiences around the world. This 2-disc collection of hits covers the first twenty years of the band, from 1970's "ZZ Top's First Album" to 1990's "Recycler", plus a few extras. It is a pared-down, more affordable alternative to the excellent "Chrome, Smoke & BBQ" 4-disc box set released in 2003. It is required listening for anyone who loves ZZ Top, and a great introduction to the band for neophytes. "Rancho Texicano" is a worthy investment for several reasons: 1. It's ZZ TOP! 2. It rights some wrongs perpetrated on 1986's "The ZZ Top Six Pack"; when the boyzz were at the height of their MTV days, Warner Brothers Records, manager/impresario/producer Bill Ham and the Boyzz themselves re-released 6 of their first 7 albums on the three-compact-disc "Six Pack" to introduce fans of the group who were not hip to the albums before 1983's "Eliminator". This was the first time any of those albums were available on CD; in order to appease the newer fans, the songs were re-mastered with 1980s effects and production values. This added distortion to the guitars, echo to the vocals, and digital reverb to the drums. Also, alternate lyrics and instrumentation could be heard on several tracks. The mixes aren't bad, just different...kinda like someone attempting to replicate the recipe of your mother's pecan pie and not quite hitting the mark. Since then, every CD version of the songs from those six albums had the "Six Pack" remastering (this included not only the individual discs themselves but also compilations such as 1992's "Greatest Hits" and 1994’s “One Foot In The Blues”). With the release of “Chrome, Smoke & BBQ” in 2003, the remastered songs were re-remastered to the sound & production values of the original vinyl LPs. “Rancho Texicano: The Very Best Of ZZ Top” followed a year later, also with the original mixes...so with this collection, you are hearing the songs the way they were originally meant to be heard. 3. Two discs, 38 songs; some you remember, some you’ve forgotten, and some that you’ve never heard. 4. They’re from Texas, dang it! Overall, it’s a cool collection with great artwork and great music, and it won’t break the bank. **Other recommended works by these artists: "Antenna" (RCA, 1994) “Rhythmeen” (RCA, 1996) “XXX” (RCA, 1999) “Mescalero” (RCA, 2003) “Chrome, Smoke & BBQ” box set (Warner Brothers/Rhino Records, 2003) “Tres Hombres” Expanded Edition (Warner Brothers, 2006) “Fandango!” Expanded Edition (Warner Brothers, 2006) Also, read “Rock + Roll Gearhead” by Billy F. Gibbons, a coffee table tome about his life, cars, and guitars with extensive photos throughout.Read full review
The track listing of this 2 CD set of the 3 long bearded, Texas rock royalty, says it all: they aren't afraid to write, sing, and play like typical American men with a very healthy variety of appetites! I bought this 2 CD set for one song: "La Grange." But then, there's "Cheap Sun Glasses"! "Legs." "Tube Snake Boogey." "I'm Bad -- I'm Nationwide." All Tex-mexy rock classics to clean house by or ride the '81 280 ZX with the T-Tops down. Read on: Track listing DISC 1: 1. Brown Sugar 2. Goin' Down To Mexico 3. Just Got Back From Baby's 4. Francene 5. Just Got Paid 6. Bar-B-Q 7. La Grange 8. Waitin' For The Bus 9. Jesus Just Left Chicago 10. Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers 11. Mexican Blackbird 12. Tush 13. Thunderbird 14. Blue Jean Blues 15. Heard It On The X 16. It's Only Love 17. Arrested For Driving While Blind 18. I Thank You 19. Cheap Sunglasses - (Live) 20. I'm Bad, I'm Naitonwide - (Dance mix) 21. Fool For Your Stockings, A - (12" remix) DISC 2: 1. Tube Snake Boogie 2. Pearl Necklace 3. Gimme All Your Lovin' 4. Sharp Dressed Man 5. Legs 6. Got Me Under Pressure 7. Sleeping Bag 8. Stages 9. Rough Boy 10. Velcro Fly 11. Woke Up With Wood 12. Doubleback 13. My Head's In Mississippi 14. Viva Las Vegas 15. Cheap Sunglasses - (live) 16. Legs - (dance mix) 17. Velcro Fly - (12" remix) Who are ZZ Top: Billy Gibbons (vocals, guitar, fiddle, harmonica, baritone saxophone, keyboards). Frank Beard (appropriately named!)(vocals, alto saxophone, drums, percussion). Dusty Hill (vocals, tenor saxophone, keyboards, bass guitar). When I first heard them live, inside, I freaked out not knowing that only 3 guys made that much music! They're among my favorites. If you want the real best collection of ZZ Top, this is it.Read full review
This is the collection you need, if you're not into buying the Chrome, Smoke, and BBQ box set. This has sooooo many great songs, from all their albums! The one thing I disliked about this product, was that, like the C.S.BBQ Box Set, it featured Legs, with the synthesizers, not the original guitar intro. Also, it did not feature "Concrete and Steel" in this collection. But, that's far back, behind the real advantages of this collection. The case is very sleek in design, and definitely worth picking up, at least until the Box Set comes down in price i na few years ;)
Rancho Texicano is a very solid cross section of ZZ Top. Many of the other "best of" offerings tend to overlook some of the rougher blues influenced music of the earlier albums & focus solely upon the popular hits the MTV decades. Doubtless, these "mega-hits" are fantastic songs in their own right, but those who wish to delve a bit deeper into the profound scope of these legendary rockers will be pleased to find more depth, and at very least a glimpse at the seminal tracks that put them on course to stardom. If you happen to be a fan of Outlaw Country, or Delta Blues this double CD will likely compliment your palate with offerings outside the usual realm of typical radio play. If you are like myself and not planning to aquire the entire collection of ZZ Top albums this will make a quite satisfactory choice.Read full review
ZZ Top is one of the only American Rock bands that has passed the Test of Time. The ZZ Top style and sound are not only original, but sounds as good today as it did when it first stormed the Rock and Roll world back in the late 70's. How many present day American Rock bands or any other American Musical styles for that matter today will be able to say that in 20 or 30 years?
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