ZZ Top - Heard It On The X

How ZZ Top Rocked the House with Raw: A Review of Their Live Soundtrack Album

The soundtrack album Raw by ZZ Top is the accompanying soundtrack for their Netflix documentary “That Little Ol’ Band From Texas” released in 2019. The documentary tells the story of how three Houston bluesmen with beards became one of the most successful rock bands in history. The album contains 12 live tracks that were recorded at Gruene Hall, which is Texas’ oldest dance hall, where ZZ Top performed some of their earliest shows. The songs span their entire career, starting from their debut single “Salt Lick” to their most popular hit “La Grange,” and display their signature blend of raw blues, boogie-woogie, and hard rock.

“Raw” is a fitting title for this album as it captures ZZ Top’s unprocessed style, playing with intense energy and passion. The audio quality is outstanding, with each guitar riff, bassline, and drum beat sounding sharp and distinct. The band sounds compact and potent, executing each song with assurance and style. Billy Gibbons’ singing is scratchy and expressive, while his guitar playing is imaginative and explosive. Dusty Hill’s bass work creates a robust foundation and harmonizing vocals, while Frank Beard’s drumming maintains the rhythm with precision and panache.

The album is a treasure for ZZ Top fans as it offers a rare opportunity to witness their live performance without any studio embellishments or gimmicks. It also serves as a tribute to Hill, who passed away in 2021 after performing with ZZ Top for over half a century. “Raw” is an album that commemorates the heritage of one of the greatest rock bands ever and proves that they still have the ability to rock the stage.