Dusty Hill passed away in 2021 and, to be honest, I didn’t expect anything new to come with him in it. Now I hold “Raw” in my hands and I am taught otherwise. Whereby “Raw”, the new album by ZZ TOP, only partly does justice to the attribute “new”. Yes, it’s a new album, no, there are no new songs on it. These are old songs that have been re-recorded. But that was done really well by the band.
Raw is the Original Soundtrack for the Netflix documentary That Little Ol’ Band From Texas. ZZ TOP have done what they like best with the well-known songs that date back over five decades: they recorded them in one piece, which created a real live feeling. All tracks were recorded at Gruene Hall in New Braunfels, Texas, the band’s country of origin.
One feels heaved into a concert with the raw, earthy, bluesy songs and enjoys the old, beloved quarrels like a really good mature wine. With every song you can hear new nuances, enjoy new subtleties, enjoy what you already know and indulge in the unique southern sound and groove that goes down like oil and that the old gentlemen still cleanly and unadulterated with bass, drums and guitar bring the stage.
Should you get Raw? Yes, you can. The album rounds out the output of this massive rock music influencing band. It is a wonderful reminder of many songs that you have known for ages and can listen to again and again. The originally raw sound comes out of every pore of the speakers and is as enjoyable as ever. It’s a shame that this cast no longer exists. Rest in Peace Dusty.
Author: Lady Cat (16.08.2022)