There is a very interesting thing with rock n roll. No matter how old it is, it never dies. By some magic and alchemic techniques, the old and contemporary masters of this genre succeed to get something fresh out of its standard form. Perfectamundo is a perfect example for it, an album by vocalist and guitarist of the cult band ZZ Top. This long bearded hombre has decided to exist in a solo version. In this project, he has mixed jazz, funk, blues, afro-Cuban rhythms, tasty solo sections and occasional jumps into the sound of B3 piano. Definitely an intriguing final product.
In recent interview, he mentioned the most important records that influenced his music expression. There is almost everything in there: from The Nightcaps to Stones, from Muddy Waters to George Jones. Eclecticism continues with Douge Sahm, Jimmy Reed. When everything is put through the filter of his hardcore rock n roll, we get an interesting new album that functions like an amalgam of the above mentioned genres. The only question is – Why did this not happen under the name of ZZ Top? Well, the fans have already gone mad once because they have changed the style of playing so it is better not to provoke them. They are used to one, they know what they want and they want to get it.
On the album Perfectamundo, Gibbns is free of his band’s framework. With the help on Martin Guigui on a piano, he recorded eleven songs of the familiar but somehow brand new music. There are some songs worth mentioning such as Sal y Pimiento and Hombre Sin Nombre. Yes, most of the tracks are in Spanish. Covers include Got Love If You Want It and Pickin Up Chicks on Dowling Street. Often, the scenery of the album reminded me of ZZ Top: sharp dressed man inside of a car that is slowly diving down the streets, he is checking out chicks who have legs and they know how to use them.
If you are a fan of the old ways and the times when rock was young, here is a record for you. The old rock story is told in a new way.
