Monday, February 28, 2000
Dueling rockers delight for crowd
Greatest hits night for Skynyrd, ZZ Top
BY CHRIS VARIAS
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Call Friday night's showdown at the Cincinnati Gardens between co-headliners ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd a draw. Both of these classic-rock survivors put on great, raunchy performances, so the only clear winner was the audience.
The bands have been touring together since last September in what has been called a '70s southern-rock double bill. But, truth be told, ZZ Top has never really been a card-carrying member of the genre. After all, they're from the Southwest, not the deep South, a distinct difference. Their music's based on Chicago blues, and they've usually avoided the same country influences that Skynyrd and others embrace.
Even more noteworthy, ZZ Top never unfurled a Confederate flag during their performance. Unfortu nately, Skynyrd did, and some members of the crowd had their own flags, as well as matching bandanas worn atop their confused heads.
Why Skynyrd ever needed to pander to audiences with that flag will always be a mystery. Their music was always the sharpest in southern rock, up until original lead singer Ronnie Van Zant's death in 1977. With Mr. Van Zant's brother Johnny now singing, the band today comes off as something a bit better than the world's greatest Skynyrd tribute and something a bit worse than the real deal.
Only a purist could have resisted the charms of their takes on Ronnie-era material like “What's Your Name,” “That Smell,” “I Know a Little,” “Gimme Three Steps,” J.J. Cale's “Call Me the Breeze,” “Sweet Home Alabama” and — but of course — “Free Bird.”
However, two of Johnny's own songs, “Edge of Forever” and “Workin',” came off like second-hand southern rock.
ZZ Top, who went on after Skynyrd, mixed in a new song as well, “Fearless Boogie” from last year's album XXX. It was as tuneless as Skynyrd's new songs, but it was infused with that patented mix of boogie and fuzz that makes them a singular sensation.
When the band coupled that sound with great songs, the Gardens went up for grabs. ZZ Top is only a trio, and they basically avoid putting on any sort of stage show, yet they held their own against Skynyrd's seven-man (and two girl-singer) ensemble.
It was a great classic-rock greatest-hits set, stretching from songs that predated their MTV days (“Jesus Just Left Chicago,” “I'm Bad I'm Nationwide,” “Cheap Sunglasses,” “Tube Snake Boogie,” “LaGrange,” “Tush”) through the best from 1983's Eliminator (“Got Me Under Pressure,” “Gimme All Your Lovin',” “Sharp Dressed Man,” “Legs.”)
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