Billy Gibbons kicked off his solo tour with the BFGs on Jan.17, playing the first of several shows at the Blue Note Hawaii in Honolulu. Since then, he’s played seven more shows, including three at the Blue Note in Napa, California.
On Jan. 22 in Napa, Gibbons’ set focused on mostly ZZ Top songs, including classics like “Sharp Dressed Man,” “Gimme All Your Lovin'” and “Just Got Paid,” plus covers of “Foxy Lady” by the Jimi Hendrix Experience, “Pipeline” by the Chantays and “Wine, Wine, Wine” by the Nightcaps.
“Each group, ZZ and the BFG’s serve up different players, different approaches and modestly different sounds. That diversity offers a chance for us all to stretch out a bit and do some things that somehow work spontaneously supernaturally within,” Gibbons explained in a recent interview with The Press Democrat. “Performing with ZZ Top is like being out with great friends; The BFG’s experience is like going local, not having previously stepped down any particular avenue. It generates a reward to chasing curiosity!”.