ZZ Top have released an audio-only version of their legendary German-televised 1980 Rockpalast concert with their new CD, 'Live in Germany 1980.'

Problem is, the only thing that could possibly go wrong with the re-release of such awesome material, has in fact happened -- they didn't give us the whole show!

Listen, by all means, we're here to tell you that if you don't have your very own copy of the 'Live in Germany 1980' DVD, well, we wish there was a way we could block you from being on the internet at all until you got one, and reveled in all the glory of ZZ Top in their young, hungry prime that it captures so perfectly.

Naturally, since the music on this CD is from the exact same show, it's hard to find anything bad to say about the rip-roaring takes on classic songs such as 'Cheap Sunglasses' or 'Heard it on the X,' -- which, reminds us, did you read our Lyrics Uncovered feature on that tune? Or our interview with Billy Gibbons?

The only problem is, they didn't give this the double-CD treatment, instead opting to cut out seven songs and keep things on one CD. That means no 'I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide,' no 'Nasty Dogs & Funky Kings,' and no 'Just Got Paid,' among others. If we were ignorantly bliss about what was missing, that would be one thing, but if you're like us, and you've memorized this set list by watching scratchy bootlegs of this concert for the last ten years, well, it's hard to get over.

So here's what I propose we do: march on Washington. That's right, it may sound a little extreme, but I think our petty issues (new jobs, the deficit, the price of gas, crumbling infrastructure, whatever), should all be put aside, and the full power of our government officials directed to making it so that I can buy at least a digital version of this entire show. That, my friends, is called getting your nation's priorities straight.

(Rant aside, it's an excellent live concert, we should be grateful for however much of it ZZ Top shares with us!)

 

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Watch ZZ Top Perform 'Jesus Just Left Chicago' from 'Live In Germany 1980'

 

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