ZZ Top: Fandango!

Texas Lightning Strikes Twice: Fandango Gets a Nice Treatment

Nearly fifty years after ZZ Top lit up The Warehouse in New Orleans and captured lightning in a bottle, *Fandango!* finally gets the audiophile treatment that matches its legendary status. This Rhino High Fidelity pressing proves that when you combine the right source material with master craftsmanship, even familiar albums can sound utterly transformed.

The Album That Made "Tush" a Household Word

Released April 18, 1975, *Fandango!* was ZZ Top's audacious fourth album—half blistering live recordings, half brand-new studio cuts. The live capture wound up being in the can first. We had enough live material to make up one side of the disc, so we decided to go with the unusual move of making the album half live, half studio, recalled the band. It was a winning combination that delivered ZZ Top's first Top 20 single, "Tush," and cemented their reputation as one of America's premier blues-rock acts.

The album opens with the driving "Thunderbird" (a song with a complicated history involving The Nightcaps and copyright law), followed by Dusty Hill's growling take on "Jailhouse Rock," before diving into the nearly 10-minute "Backdoor Medley." But it's the studio side that really showcases the band's evolution—from the badass swagger of "Nasty Dogs and Funky Kings" to the deep, sultry blues of "Blue Jean Blues," and finally to the immortal shuffle of "Tush."

ZZ Top's next album, Fandango! (1975), gave the group its first Top 40 single, "Tush." The follow-up Tejas, released in 1977, reached Number 17 on the charts. The success of Fandango! and the "Barndance" inspired the trio to embark on a "Worldwide Texas Tour," which lasted from 1976 to 1977.

Kevin Gray Works His Magic

Cut From The Original Stereo Master Tapes By Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio, this pressing benefits from the expertise of one of vinyl's most respected engineers. At the age of eighteen, Kevin Gray was the youngest mastering engineer in the country when he started cutting records at Artisan Sound Recorders in Hollywood. That was in 1972. Today, with over 2,500 entries on Discogs, Gray's reputation for sonic excellence is virtually unmatched.

The AAA chain here makes all the difference. Working directly from the original analog master tapes, Gray's mastering preserves the raw energy that made this album special while enhancing clarity and dynamics that were constrained by 1970s pressing limitations. The only changes that I might make to that is knowing that in the day, when this stuff was mastered, especially before the 80's, you know that there were certain limitations imposed, like you couldn't have too much low bass on it because it would skip on a cheap player, or pushing levels to get them hot, which we don't have to do now, Gray explains.

Sound Quality: Where the Magic Happens

The sonic improvements are immediately apparent from the opening blast of "Thunderbird." The live side benefits enormously from Gray's touch—Billy Gibbons' guitar cuts through with vicious clarity while Dusty Hill's bass lines are more defined than they've ever sounded on vinyl. The often-muddy "Backdoor Medley" now reveals layers of detail previously buried in the mix.

But it's the studio side where this pressing truly shines. "Side 2 is nice and roomy and clean, clear, and crisp with a nice thick low end" notes one collector, and they're spot-on. "Blue Jean Blues" emerges as the sultry masterpiece it was always meant to be, while "Tush" hits with the kind of punchy authority that made it a radio staple.

User reviews consistently praise the pressing quality: "What a great album. I thought my original LP sounded pretty good. This Rhino High Fidelity copy smokes it!!! Very punchy sound quality" and "Absolutely astounding! Vinyl is flat, centered and exceptional quiet groove floor. The sound here is nearly beyond description".

Pressing Quality and Packaging

Pressed On 180-Gram Heavyweight Vinyl At Optimal Media in Germany, this release maintains Rhino High Fidelity's commitment to premium manufacturing. The vinyl arrives flat, centered, and remarkably quiet—essential for hearing the subtle details in both the live and studio recordings.

Heavyweight Glossy Gatefold Jacket Features Detailed Liner Notes By James Austin In Conversation With Frontman Billy Gibbons. The tip-on jacket reproduction is excellent, maintaining the original's iconic imagery while upgrading the construction quality substantially.

A Few Considerations

While this pressing excels in most areas, some collectors noted that Gray's signature sound—detailed and precise—might feel slightly clinical compared to the grittier original London pressings for those seeking maximum vintage warmth.

The real competition comes from original Robert Ludwig-cut pressings, which some purists still prefer for their distinctive midrange character. However, for most listeners, this reissue offers superior surface noise performance and enhanced low-end extension.

The Vinyl Verdict

This Rhino High Fidelity pressing succeeds in presenting *Fandango!* as both a historical document and a thrilling musical experience. The live side captures the sweaty intensity of ZZ Top in their prime, while the studio cuts reveal nuances that have been buried for decades. Kevin Gray's mastering strikes an excellent balance between respecting the source material and maximizing its potential within modern vinyl constraints.

For ZZ Top fans, this is likely the definitive version of *Fandango!* you'll want on your shelf. For blues-rock enthusiasts, it's an essential addition that showcases why this "little ol' band from Texas" became legends. 💰

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