Dated 2019, "That Little Ol' Band From Texas" is a documentary tracing the existence of ZZ Top whose members never separated from each other since their teenage years until becoming one of the most legendary bands on the planet. Unfortunately, this story of exceptional friendship ended on July 27, 2021 with the death of bassist and singer Dusty Hill at his home in Houston (Texas). While the trio had recorded themselves live in Gruene Hall, the oldest dance hall in Texas, this intimate concert was transformed into the soundtrack of the documentary for which it had been made and released as a tribute album to Dusty.
Some will argue that this opus brings nothing to the discography of the most famous bearded men of the blues-rock and they will be right. ZZ Top has taken from the beginning of his discography and interprets here a dozen tracks which, for the most part, are real hits present on almost all their setlists since decades. But at the same time, how to pay tribute to the famous bassist without playing 'La Grange', 'Tush' or 'Gimme All Your Lovin' '? The first one appears here in a version translating the complicity of its authors and is a pleasure to hear. With Dusty Hill on vocals, the second one is the summit of this concert whose roots conditions highlight the authenticity of the Texans. Finally, the third one benefits from this interpretation without electronic artifice to prove that it doesn't need them to be unstoppable.
In a set that does not include any track more recent than those of the monumental "Eliminator" (1983), ZZ Top gives priority to the blues-rock of its origins, bringing out a 'Thunderbird' or a 'Certified Blues' whose feeling drips from every note. It is also the case for a 'Blue Jean Blues' slightly shortened but always as bewitching. In this set with the smell of dust and oil, only 'Legs' is reinforced by a light electro sample which does not make nevertheless spot in the middle of this sort of best-of. Announced by Billy Gibbons at the time of its launch, 'I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide' highlights a nonchalant approach that translates well the identity of the Texan legend, even if this track has already been regularly played during the trio's concerts.
Under any other circumstances, this "Raw" could have been suspected of clumsily hiding mercantile intentions. But this is probably the last album on which Dusty Hill appears, and its recording conditions pay a perfect tribute to this old small band from Texas and to its late bass player. Of course, it doesn't bring much new to the band's discography but it allows us to enjoy one last time the osmosis, the complementarity and the complicity of its three members who didn't leave each other for more than 50 years.