NASHVILLE |
DATE: OCTOBER 26, 2011
FROM: TODD BRODGINSKI
 |
ZZ TOP: “A TRIBUTE FROM FRIENDS”
COLLECTION OF MAJOR ARTISTS PAYING HOMAGE
OUT NOW ON SHOWDOG/UNIVERSAL
“Vermont rockers nail the grungy Texas blues thing on this smoldering track from ZZ Top: A Tribute From Friends.” USA Today on Grace Potter & the Nocturnals’ version of “Tush”
(10/25/11)
The music and legacy of ZZ TOP–“That Little ol’ Band from Texas,” that has been part of the world’s musical landscape for over 40 years–is celebrated with the October 11 release of A TRIBUTE FROM FRIENDS (Showdog/Universal). Featuring artists The M.O.B. (Steven Tyler, Mick Fleetwood, Jonny Lang and John McVie), Filter, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Nickelback, Wolfmother, Jamey Johnson, Daughtry and more, the album honors the music of one of America’s most cherished rock bands.
In an October 4 interview with Music Radar (www.musicradar.com), ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons said, “We’re very fortunate that it [the tribute album] all came together as easily as it did. In the crazy world of rock ‘n’ roll, it’s not unusual for people to be on another planet, out on tour, they can’t be reached, whatever. But everybody jumped in very quickly and wanted to be a part of it. The song selections were a smooth process. I was prepared for trouble, with 12 bands all wanting to play ‘La Grange [laughs].’ But everybody had their own favorite ZZ Top song they wanted to do. There was no fighting over who was going to do what.”
One particular highlight on A TRIBUTE FROM FRIENDS is Nickelback’s version of ZZ Top’s major hit “Legs” which hit #8 on the Billboard chart when it was released in 1984. Gibbons said, “Their version is thrashier and trashier, and the end result is a real rock song. It’s not techno-this or electronica-that. It’s straight-ahead rock. I was very curious as to what they’d do with the middle solo. There’s enough reference points so you’re never left out in the cold, but there’s originality there, too.”
Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger says they were flattered to be included on A TRIBUTE FROM FRIENDS. “Look at the company we are in on this album. We’ve had the pleasure of knowing Billy and the guys for some time now. He contributed on ‘Rockstar’ off All The Right Reasons and then we got a chance to perform ‘Sharp Dressed Man’ at the VH1 Honors. Their music was such an indelible part of our lives growing up and to be asked to pay tribute to them in this manner is something we will treasure for a long time.”
Kroeger also says they’ve been fans for a long time: “We grew up with ZZ Top, and were really moved to be asked to record such a legendary song of theirs. We are forever indebted to them for the musical gift and influence they have given us as musicians, but most of all, we are honored to call them friends. It really doesn’t get any better than that!”
In other recent ZZ TOP news, the group performed over the weekend (10/22) at their first annual “La Grange Fest” in Austin, TX with special guests Lynyrd Skynyrd, Jamey Johnson and Corey Taylor. Of ZZ Top’s performance, the Austin Chronicle’s Raoul Hernandez said, “In almost two decades of live ZZ Top worship, I’d never witnessed such a primal performance from the band (10/24).”
A TRIBUTE FROM FRIENDS: Track Listing
- “Sharp Dressed Man” – The M.O.B. (Mick Fleetwood, Steven Tyler, Jonny Lang & John McVie)
- “Gimme All Your Lovin’” – Filter
- “Tush” – Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
- “Legs” – Nickelback
- “Cheap Sunglasses” – Wolfmother
- “Got Me Under Pressure” – Duff McKagan’s LOADED
- “Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers” – Coheed & Cambria
- “Just Got Paid” – Mastodon
- “Rough Boy” – Wyclef Jean
- “Waitin’ for the Bus / Jesus Just Left Chicago” – Daughtry
- “La Grange” – Jamey Johnson
