Tres Hombres

by ZZ Top

Overview

Tres Hombres is the record that brought ZZ Top their first Top Ten record, making them stars in the process. It couldn't have happened to a better record. ZZ Top finally got their low-down, cheerfully sleazy blooze-n-boogie right on this, their third album. As their sound gelled, producer Bill Ham discovered how to record the trio so simply that they sound indestructible, and the group brought the best set of songs they'd ever have to the table. On the surface, there's nothing really special about the record, since it's just a driving blues-rock album from a Texas bar band, but that's what's special about it. It has a filthy groove and an infectious feel, thanks to Billy Gibbons' growling guitars and the steady propulsion of Dusty Hill and Frank Beard's rhythm section. They get the blend of bluesy shuffles, gut-bucket rocking, and off-beat humor just right. ZZ Top's very identity comes from this earthy sound and songs as utterly infectious as "Waitin' for the Bus," "Jesus Just Left Chicago," "Move Me on Down the Line," and the John Lee Hooker boogie "La Grange." In a sense, they kept trying to remake this record from this point on -- what is Eliminator if not Tres Hombres with sequencers and synthesizers? -- but they never got it better than they did here. [The 2006 reissue of the album adds three live tracks: "Waitin' for the Bus," "Jesus Just Left Chicago," and "La Grange."] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	02/28/2006
Label:	Warner Bros.
UPC:	0081227896621
Rank:	1293

Tracks

1. Waitin' for the Bus
2. Jesus Just Left Chicago
3. Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers
4. Master of Sparks
5. Hot, Blue and Righteous
6. Move Me on Down the Line
7. Precious and Grace
8. La Grange
9. Sheik
10. Have You Heard?
11. Waitin' for the Bus
12. Jesus Just Left Chicago
13. La Grange

Album Credits

Performance Credits

ZZ Top   Primary Artist
Frank Beard   Drums,Percussion
Dusty Hill   Guitar (Bass),Vocals,Bass,Double Bass,Lead Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Billy Gibbons   Vocals,Harmonica,Guitar,Lead Vocals,Guitar (Electric)

Technical Credits

Robin Brian   Audio Engineer,Engineer
Terry Manning   Audio Engineer,Engineer
Bill Ham   Producer,Reissue Supervisor
Dusty Hill   Composer
Frank Beard   Composer
Greg Allen   Design,Art Direction
Steve Woolard   Project Assistant
James Austin   Reissue Supervisor
Bill Narum   Cover Art
Ginger Dettman   Project Assistant
Rube Beard   Composer
Bob Small   Reissue Supervisor
James O'Toole   Project Assistant
Dorothy Stefanski   Editorial Supervision
Lisa Liese   Product Manager
Bob Merlis   Liner Notes
Billy Gibbons   Composer
Bob Ludwig   Remastering