BILLY GIBBONS: The Big Bad Blues (ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

With his legendary phlegm and casualness, Billy Gibbons had released a first solo album venturing into Latin American lands, which had somewhat disoriented part of his audience ("Perfectamundo" - 2015). Three years later, here he is back to more traditional territories to pay homage to the music that has nourished him for decades and that represents the main influences of his legendary formation (ZZ Top for those who wouldn't be aware). The title of this new opus doesn't beat around the bush and doesn't try to deceive his world, and given the man's experience, we have to admit that we didn't expect either surprise or disappointment before listening to the 11 tracks of this "The Big Bad Blues".

With seven original compositions and four covers by Muddy Waters and Bo Didley (two each), the tracklist of this new opus skillfully covers the different sides of a traditional and timeless blues. Inspired by an illustration of his girlfriend, 'Missin' Yo' Kissin'' opens the hostilities with a riff reminiscent of 'La Grange' or 'My Head's In Mississippi'. But to this lack of originality come to be grafted a hyper catchy chorus and the burning interventions of the harmonica of James Harman which make the whole finally irresistible. For there lies the quiet strength of this opus which leaves the listener blissfully happy when all this has already been heard many times before. With his extraordinary interpretive talent and his unmistakable paw among all, Billy Gibbons manages to distill an addictive and irrational pleasure.

From the old school blues-rock of 'My Baby She Rocks' with its haunting chorus, to the high-voltage version of Muddy Waters' 'Rollin' And Tumblin'', to the groove of 'Let The Left Hand Knows', the heavy blues smelling of beer and sweat of 'That's What She Said' or 'Mo' Slower Blues', all moods are addressed. The solos are as luminous as ever and are reinforced by the complicit harmonica with which they share some incendiary duels. Even the ballad 'Standing Around Crying' (cover by Muddy Waters) in a hyper classical format becomes a must because of the feeling it gives off. Also note the cover of Bo Didley's 'Bring It To Jerome' propelled by a massive bass and the energy sweeping all in its path.

While it might have seemed easy to be saddened by a possible lack of risk-taking and an obvious lack of originality, in the end it is pleasure and admiration that prevails when listening to this "The Big Bad Blues" which proves to be a real demonstration from its progenitor. Billy Gibbons' personality is so marked and legendary that he can afford almost anything in the field of blues-rock, transforming everything he touches into gold. Don't miss this demonstration if you're a fan of the genre. - Official website

BILLY GIBBONS

THE BIG BAD BLUES

AUTRE LABEL

ROCK