Album Spotlight: ZZ Top: A Tribute From Friends

Various Artists- ZZ Top: A Tribute from Friends

Year: 2011

Record Label: RCA

ZZ Top: A tribute from Friends is the fourth tribute album to honor blues rock band ZZ Top, and what a tribute album it is too. With a stellar lineup that includes Steve Tyler, Daughtry, Nickelback, Wolfmother and Filter, you know you’re going to be in for a treat.

One of the reasons I love this tribute album so much is the fact the bands appearing on the album stay true to the music. Yes, they make the songs their own. Yet, in doing so they don’t steer too far from the originals and keep the music true. In the past I’ve listened to tribute albums and wondered how on earth some artists have been allowed to destroy songs they’re supposedly paying tribute to.

This is definitely not the case. While you’re never going to forget the originals, you’re certainly not going to have your stomach churn with horror and disgust at the covers on ZZ Top: A Tribute from Friends

‘Waiting for the Bus/Jesus Just Left’ is a medley by Daughtry that is a solid rendition of what may seem like two very strange medley choices. Forget the fact Daughtry was an idol contestant, if you can and just close your eyes. Listen his voice and you’ll be impressed. The reality is that his bluesy smooth vocals are impressive and do the tunes justice.

Duff McKagen’s Loaded do an excellent job on ‘Got Me UnderPressure’. McKagen’s vocals soar over shredding guitars and to be honest, they surprised me with their sound. They certainly kick the quality of the music up a notch.

If there was any song off the album that strays a little from the original in sound, it’s Filter’s 'Gimme All your Lovin'. It’s still the ZZ Top sound but it’s also Filter through and through. Filter have managed to keep the heart of the original while bringing in their dark sound.

I don’t think there are any songs on this album that I can complain out – songs which include ‘Legs’, ‘Tush’, ‘La Grange’ and ‘Rough Boy’ but the standout artists on this album for me are definitely Jamey Johnson and Grace Potter and the Nocturnals.

Let’s start with Jamey Johnson, and what a way to start. If you close your eyes, you could swear that you were listening to ZZ Top. Johnson could not have chosen a better song to perform on this album. While he doesn't try to imitate ZZ Top, you’d swear listening to him he went to the ZZ Top School of Blues. He absolutely nails 'La Grange' vocallty and musically. It sounds exactly the way it should be - Bluesy, rough, grimy and raw.

What can you say about Grace Potter and the Nocturnals? Grace Potter has an amazing sound and vocal ability in her own right, but she nails ‘Tush’.  It’s a little more low-key than the original but damn, that girl can sing up a blues storm.

Other stellar tunes are ‘Sharp Dressed Man’ with Steven Tyler on vocals, Nickelback’s ‘Legs’ and the very dark version of Filter’s ‘Gimme your Lovin’.

If you’re going to buy one ZZ Top tribute album, this is the one to get. Turn it up, crack open a cold beer and rock out to every glorious tune.