ZZ Top Takes Corpus Christi, TX

ZZ Top
April 3, 2015
Concrete Street Amphitheater- Corpus Christi, TX

Corpus Christi, TX concert goers were treated to something rare as rock icons ZZ TOP & guitar legend Jeff Beck pull into the Concrete Street Amphitheater last Sunday, April 3^rd 2015. Tyler Bryant, of Tyler Bryant & the Shakedown; opened up the evening’s festivities with a very formidable set, pumping the crowd up & paying homage to Muddy Waters. It didn’t take long and Jeff Beck, took to the stage after. Sending the crowd into uproars of cheer, Jeff Beck played a cover filled night with covers of hit songs like Sam Cooke’s A Change Is Gonna Come; Jimmie Hendrix’s Little Wing; Stevie Wonder’s Superstition; & Hambone Willie’s Rollin’ and Tumblin.
The sun sat deep on the horizon as Jeff Beck, left the stage… The stage set was assembled with Frank Beard’s, massive drum-set; setting center stage. The custom toms dawned in Tiki-masks, staring out at the South Texas crowd as the attendees grew ever more anxious. Pretty soon, Frank Beard made his way to his colossal trap-set, taking his place seated behind the toms and cymbals. Dusty Hill & Billy Gibbons made it out on stage from their respective sides. Both were wearing matching jackets and pants to go along with their matching guitars…
ZZ TOP opened up their set with the hit single Got Me Under Pressure & the crowd roared. Got Me Under Pressure made it to #18 on the U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks in 1983 and has since been a favorite for fans of all ages. Pushing right on through, off the band’s 1976 hit album Tres Hombres; ZZ TOP played Waitin’ for the Bus. The unmistakable guitar and bass line that played right after the drum hit threw the crowd into frenzied cheers just before, Gibbons & Hill sang the opening lyrics “Have Mercy!” Jesus Just Left Chicago played seamlessly in succession, bleeding in with no hint of the other ever ending. This slow rocking, bluesy classic had people dancing in their seats as the music pounded out… Gimme All Your Lovin’ followed directly after along with, I’m Bad, I’m Nation Wide & a damn good cover of Jimmie Hendrix’s 1970 hit Foxy Lady.
Most of the night, (the little time between songs and cheers) this Grandmother, Grandfather & Granddaughter had been shouting to the stage from the handicapable area “I Gotsta Get Paid!!!” ZZ TOP, obliged the threesome’s request and played the D.J. DMD cover (And #1 track from the 2012 album La Futura) 25 Lighters (I Gotsta Get Paid), knocking the crowd dead with the flawlessly played song.
Directly after, ZZ TOP continued on with 2 more hit singles off their 1983 album Eliminator, back to back with Sharp Dressed Man & Legs. As Legs, came to an end the lights faded & the band exited the stage; stage right. Before too long the band rejoined each other for a 4 song encore. ZZ TOP’s Billy Gibbons caressed his mic and said in his bluesy, rasp “We decided since you’ve all been good to us, we’d be good to you” About this time, Jeff Beck joined ZZ TOP on stage to open the encore with Rough Boy as the crowd went wild to Jeff Beck, as he made his guitar whine with ZZ TOP backing him to the soft love ballad made popular by ZZ TOP in the mid 80’s… To the excited dismay of many; ZZ TOP & Jeff Beck played a cover of Merle Travis’s with Sixteen Tons. People of all age’s sung right along with the band’s from start to finish, applauding loudly as the song reached its end. ZZ TOP ended the night with 2 more hits La Grange / Sloppy Drunk Jam & Tush. Again ZZ TOP exited the stage; stage right as the crowd gave them a Standing Ovation. Be sure to catch this tour as it rounds the bend to a state, city, country near you!
Review by: Jared Wingate