hennemusic

The new ZZ Top album, “A Tribute From Friends,” is out next Tuesday (October 11), and it is exactly what it says it is: other rockers playing the tunes of “That Little Ol’ Band From Texas.”

It’s a high-profile salute from the likes of Nickelback, Steven Tyler, Wolfmother, Daughtry, Filter and more….and guitarist ZZ guitarist Billy Gibbons is humbled and excited at the same time.

“Of course, we were stunned, flattered and humbled...and also very intrigued,” Billy tells Music Radar. “We rang up some of our pals, spilled the secret, and we got the good guys on the record. And gals! There’s some very impressive women on here, too.”

“We’re very fortunate that it all came together as easily as it did,” continues Gibbons. “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 by one, these crazy interpretations of ZZ Top started arriving. Each one had its own special personality,” assesses Billy, who knows a thing or two about personality. “All in all, this package has a wide range of appeal that is most entertaining. Some people might say ‘amusing,’ but I think ‘entertaining’ is the operative word. It’s difficult to find records these days that you want to listen to from beginning to end, but this album jumps out and really grabs you. Some bands you might know, others you might not, but I think you’ll enjoy what they’ve done with our songs. I know I have.”

Check out Billy’s song-by-song review at Music Radar here.

A bunch of the artists involved have been playing their ZZ tracks live, and hennemusic has gathered together a collection of videos to give fans an idea of what to expect from the new project.

ZZ Top
“A Tribute From Friends”
Release date: October 11, 2011

01. “Sharp Dressed Man” – The M.O.B. (Mick Fleetwood, Steven Tyler, Jonny Lang & John McVie)
02. “Gimme All Your Lovin’” – Filter
03. “Tush” – Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
04. “Legs” - Nickelback
05. “Cheap Sunglasses” – Wolfmother
06. “Got Me Under Pressure” – Duff McKagan’s LOADED
07. “Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers” – Coheed & Cambria
08. “Just Got Paid” – Mastodon
09. “Rough Boy” – Wyclef Jean
10. “Waitin’ for the Bus / Jesus Just Left Chicago” – Daughtry
11. “La Grange” – Jamey Johnson

ZZ Top