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 (11 Customer Reviews)
On 1973's TRES HOMBRES, everything came together for ZZ Top. While it was near inconceivable that the trio could better its superb previous effort, 1972's RIO GRANDE MUD, here ZZ Top somehow found a way to make the riffs tastier and the blues boogie more lethal.
One of classic rock's most identifiable standards, "La Grange," resides here, borrowing liberally from John Lee Hooker. But there's even more great blues-rock to feast on--the moderately paced "Waitin' for the Bus," the 12-bar blues of "Jesus Just Left Chicago," and the party-hearty anthem "Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers" (a tune Van Halen has covered live from time to time). Elsewhere, the thick rocker "Precious and Grace" easily gives Led Zeppelin a run for its money.
Tres Hombres is the record that brought ZZ Top their first Top Ten record, making them stars in the process. It couldn't have happened to a better record. ZZ Top finally got their low-down, cheerfully sleazy blooze-n-boogie right on this, their third album. As their sound gelled, producer Bill Ham discovered how to record the trio so simply that they sound indestructible, and the group brought the best set of songs they'd ever have to the table. On the surface, there's nothing really special about the record, since it's just a driving blues-rock album from a Texas bar band, but that's what's special about it. It has a filthy groove and an infectious feel, thanks to Billy Gibbons' growling guitars and the steady propulsion of Dusty Hill and Frank Beard's rhythm section. They get the blend of bluesy shuffles, gut-bucket rocking, and off-beat humor just right. ZZ Top's very identity comes from this earthy sound and songs as utterly infectious as "Waitin' for the Bus," "Jesus Just Left Chicago," "Move Me on Down the Line," and the John Lee Hooker boogie "La Grange." In a sense, they kept trying to remake this record from this point on -- what is Eliminator if not Tres Hombres with sequencers and synthesizers? -- but they never got it better than they did here. [The 2006 reissue of the album adds three live tracks: "Waitin' for the Bus," "Jesus Just Left Chicago," and "La Grange."] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
One of the world's greatest rock 'n' roll bands ever to strut the 50 States, these sharp-dressed Texas titans-Billy F. Gibbons, Frank Beard, and Dusty Hill-are a righteously hell rain' power trio boasting a 30-plus year hit-making legacy, both in the studio and at concert arenas. With their revved up blues 'n' boogie, they always make the most of their Texas birthright with with a distinctive sound that shakes up rock, blues, soul, garage-funk, Americana, and more. Nowhere is their force of nature musicianship better displayed than on these two album classics, revved up wtih red-hot bonus rarities. "You know what I'm talkin' about...an how how how how." Warner. 2006.
Also available with FANDANGO on 1 cassette and as part of the ZZ Top 6 Pack.
ZZ Top: Billy Gibbons (vocals, guitar, harmonica); Dusty Hill (vocals, bass guitar); Frank Beard (drums).
Audio Remasterer: Bob Ludwig.
Liner Note Author: Bob Merlis.
Unknown Contributor Roles: Billy Gibbons; Dusty Hill; Rube Beard.
ZZ Top: Billy Gibbons (vocals, guitar); Dusty Hill (vocals, bass); Frank "Rube" Beard (drums).
Rolling Stone (p.71) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[T]he trio made raw-boned, matter-of-factly infectious songs out of a supercharged bar-band sound."
Uncut (p.129) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "TRES HOMBRES was a breakthrough, courtesy of the John Lee Hooker-derived 'La Grange'."
Mojo (Publisher) (p.119) - 5 stars out of 5 -- "[A] Tex-Mex combo platter of blues, soul and funky hard rock, spiced with a little Beefheart-inspired weirdness." ZZ Top Tres Hombres Songs Tres Hombres Music Review Average Rating: (4.5 out of 5 stars)   List All Reviews Absolutely the best!!
This album put that "Little Old Band From Texas" on the map. The remastered clarity is clean and crisp with Franks drums sounding as they should. As good as the studio tracks are the live tracks are even better. Billy Gibbons makes the Gibson in his hands smoke. Billy's talent is incredible on LaGrange as near the end he rips loose with a portion of BBQ. ZZ Top is the best live band I've ever seen and hope they will assemble a complete live album in the future. Crank it up and enjoy.
Submitted by BRADLEYGARRISON3 (Mooresville, NC,USA) 
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Great Rock Album
This is my favorite album from "That Little Ole Band From Texas". Billy Gibbons is a great guitar player and he shines on this record. The sonics on this album are great a the songs rock.
Submitted by bobn8tor2 (Allentown PA, USA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No Awesome
This is prime ZZ TOP. Primal Blues and Rock masterfully cooked on a southern BBQ, dripping marinades and hot sauces. This WILL leave you want for more ... and more you will have. LA GRANGE, JESUS JUST LEFT CHICAGO, BEER DRINKERS AND HELL RAISERS. This disc kick serious butt and it is as good as it gets.
Submitted by francesco (Naples, Italy)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No ZZ Top's best album finally on CD properly!
This is the third ZZ Top album, and it's their best. When it was 1st issued on CD, there were echo effects and drum "enhancements" that marred the original. This version is remastered from the original master tapes and it sounds great. The booklet restores the original LP cover pictures, and there are some bonus live tracks added, making this an essential ZZ Top fan must-have. If you are a casual fan, this is the album to start with. There's La Grange, Waitin' On The Bus / Jesus Just Left Chicago, but the rest of the album is just as good. Master Of Sparks, Precious And Grace, Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers, and Sheik are all excellent. The Fandango album has been remastered as well, but when will Rio Grande Mud and Deguello be given this same treatment? It's way overdue.
Submitted by mmorris3 (Memphis, TN, USA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No Finally, In All Its (Near) Original Master Glory!
ZZ Top has finally taken heed from their many fans, as they swamped the band's website requesting the return of their earlier, classic releases in their true original-mix glory. Well, not exactly the original mix as this improved 2006 remaster is from the 'original master' recording. A cleaner (in a good way) version of its initial release, this version (along with 'Fandango!') still retains all the tight, dirty guitar rock/boogie/blues sound that made ZZ Top establish an immediate fan-base.
Most ZZ Top fans are aware that their first seven albums suffered a horrendous remixing that has plagued us for far too long. Unless you have the vinyl versions (or pre-recorded cassettes), the original-master sound has been a mere memory.
To clarify a previous review, owning ZZ's 'Six Pack' box set is of no consequence as that too contains the earlier remixed versions. Unless there are different 'Six Pack' releases, which I don't believe so, this has also been my main source during those hard-up times when I needed to hear some of their classics (although never really satisfied having once owned these titles on vinyl). If anything, 'Six Pack' was a great buy with their first six albums all in one package. (Side-note: A reviewer at another site mentioned their recent box set 'Chrome, Smoke & BBQ' contained the 2006 remasters; just an unconfirmed FYI.)
In closing, let's hope the rest of their early works are also re-released in a timely manner. (Rhino is usually pretty good with re-releases.) As for the bonus live tracks, they're definitely worthy for fans who enjoy(ed) their live shows. And check the price; no greedy bump-ups just because it's a 'new' (and definitely improved) release. (Thanks ZZ Top!)
Submitted by toadnpond (San Jose, CA)
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