ZZ Top - Greatest Hits (1992)

GREATEST HITS FORTNIGHT (FEBRUARY 6-19, 2012)

If you grew up in the Houston-area in the late '70s/early '80s, you know all these songs from "That Little Ol' Band from Texas". I did and I do with the exception of songs from 1990's Recycler album, which I was unaware of until I bought this compilation. Of course, I did live in the Dallas area at the time of that release. This is great blues-boogie-rock. Sure, most of the band's stuff from 1983's Eliminator and 1985's Afterburner all sounds the same, but it sounds great.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: #9

Tracks: 18 tracks and, with one exception, I like everything here from the years 1973-85. I'm not fond of Rough Boy; this band is not suited to power ballads. I'm guessing the decision to record a power ballad was made by the band's label. The "newer" (post '85) stuff, including the two previously unreleased tunes, is okay, but I'm unfamiliar most of it except for their version of Viva Las Vegas which is a decent enough cover.

Song	Year	Hot 100	Rock
Gimme All Your Lovin'	1983	37	2
Sharp Dressed Man	1983	56	8
Rough Boy	1986	22	5
Tush	1975	20	*
My Head's In Mississippi	1990	-	1
Pearl Necklace	1981	-	28
I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide	1979	-	*
Viva Las Vegas	1992	-	16
Doubleback	1990	50	1
Gun Love	1992	-	8
Got Me Under Pressure	1983	-	18
Give It Up	1990	79	2
Cheap Sunglasses	1980	89	*
Sleeping Bag	1985	8	1
Planet Of Women	1985	-	-
La Grange	1973	41	*
Tube Snake Boogie	1981	103	4
Legs	1984	8	3

*Billboard began a rock chart in March, 1981

For more information on the brief life of the CD longbox,
go visit The Legend of the Longbox.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: As a musician in college, I would often have to wear a tuxedo to performances. A friend in adjoining dorm room (who we called Buffalo Tom), would see me dressed in the tux and always quote from Sharp Dressed Man: "Looking sharp, looking for love." I've said that to my sons when they dress up, but of course they don't get it.

When I hear the band's '70s music, I'm taken back to my junior high days. That campus (pictured below) closed this past year, but I have many fond memories from my time there. [2021 update: the building pictured has been razed and a new elementary school erected on the property]