"Degüello" is the sixth studio album by ZZ Top, released in November 1979 on Warner Bros. Records. It marked a significant evolution for the band, returning after a two-year hiatus with fresh influences and technological experiments.
During their break, ZZ Top's guitarist Billy Gibbons was exposed to punk music in Europe, which influenced the album's direction. They also embraced new technology, such as a pitch shifter discovered on The Phil Donahue Show, which was used creatively on tracks like "Manic Mechanic" for vocals and guitars.
"Degüello" was notable for being the first ZZ Top album to include cover versions: "I Thank You" originally by Isaac Hayes and David Porter, and "Dust My Broom," initially attributed to Elmore James but later correctly credited to Robert Johnson. The album achieved platinum status and demonstrated ZZ Top's ability to blend their trademark blues-rock sound with contemporary influences.
One of the tracks from "Degüello," "Hi Fi Mama," was featured in an episode of the TV series "Bones," where Billy Gibbons also made a guest appearance, further extending the album's impact beyond its initial release.
