Tuesday, March 03, 2009

The Brothers Brooks - The Brothers Brooks (1994)



This is classic stuff, y'all. Serious business indeed. No matter what kind of Southern Rock you prefer, this is good for everybody. The Brothers Brooks were reminiscent of The Allman brothers Band, without taking it all over the place. More accent on songs rather than improvisation. Some good steady rocking going on here. Magnificent guitar playing by Tim Brooks and gorgeous vocals by his brother Gregg (reminding me of Gregg Allman in superb form).
I actually saw these guys back in 1994, playing a real small club in Groningen, The Netherlands. They were touring Germany and wound up in that pocket size bar, doing a show free for the audience. I had never heard of them, but a friend of mine worked at that place and told me I should definitely check them out. Boy, was I glad I did. They blew me away. I wound up drinking a beer with Tim Brooks after the gig. They were from Macon, Georgia and he could tell some great stories about the time when Capricorn Records were the biggest thing in town. And when bands like Grinderswitch, The Allmans, Wet Wilie, etc would all hang around.
After this album Tim formed a new band Tim Brooks & The Alien Sharecroppers. They released two great albums, equal to this effort. Alas without the strong vocals of brother Gregg. I wonder what happened to him. And, for that matter, what happened to Tim. Cause it's been way too long since he's released anything at all. If anybody out there knows anything about their current whereabouts and whatabouts, let me know. I'm curious as hell. Ride the gravy train.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi harley, hope you're doin' okay my friend. Last sighting of Tim Brooks from me was on Eddie Stone's "Eddie Stone & Friends" album from 2004. I think he played on Eddie's earlier "Right Tonight" album too.
Hope this info helps you sleep better, it's all i got.
Best wishes,
bigfootkit

Skydogg said...

Hey Bigfootkit. Yeah, I knew that. But c'mon, Tim Brooks is not a sidekick. I want his band and music!

Anonymous said...

Buenísimo, maravilloso. A great album. Congratulations for your blog. Thank you.
Gabriel.

Milorad said...

Hi,

That's me again. I'm new on your blog. My favorite genre is southern rock (ABB...) so I think that you make it excellent.
Anyway, I am reporting a dead link for The Brothers Brooks (1994).

All the best!

Milorad

Skydogg said...

New link!

Mr H said...

Last year saw “It’s Up to You & Me, Brother” a benefit concert on Sunday, June 7 2015 for Gregg Brooks, who is battling cancer. Unfortunately, Gregg’s brother and fellow musician, Tim Brooks, died on May 20th of congestive heart failure at age 61, and the event will now also be a memorial to him.

The brothers played and performed with numerous musicians and groups during their decades in the Macon scene including their own Southern rock band, Brothers Brooks. Tim also led Tim Brooks and the Alien Sharecroppers, a popular regional band.

Mr H said...

Sadly, Gregg didn't last long;
Gregory Eugene "Gregg" Brooks, age 59, passed away Tuesday, June 16, 2015, after an extended battle with cancer, surrounded by his family and a few close friends.
Mr. Brooks was born in Macon to the late Arling Eugene Brooks and Effie Grace Watson Brooks. Gregg was a well-known musician and singer, who performed all over the world with his brother Tim, who preceded him in death not quite a month ago, and was the voice for The Brothers Brooks. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Arlene Williams in 2001. He will be greatly missed by many, many friends as well as his loving family.
Gregg is survived by his devoted wife, Lisa Brooks of Macon; 3 daughters, Kelli Nickels of Macon, Michelle Brooks of Macon and Evie Brooks of Fortson; 1 nephew, Doyle Williams of Athens; 2 step-sons, Carter Chamblee and Lawson "Rhett" Chamblee both of Macon; 2 grandchildren, Landon Nickels and Sable Teague; his Aunt Claudia Burch of Atlanta as well as several cousins, other extended family members and countless friends.
A memorial service to celebrate Gregg's life will be held at 11:00 am. Saturday in the Chapel of Crest Lawn Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made via PayPal into the account sugarbell42@cox.net to help with the funeral expenses.
Please go to www.crestlawnfuneral.com. to sign the online registry as well as to read the complete obituary.
Crest Lawn Funeral Home has charge of arrangements. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/macon/obituary.aspx?pid=175110246#sthash.JLRbtp5c.dpuf

Skydogg said...

Thanks a lot for the information. What sad loss. And hardly anybody knows these guys were the cream of the crop of Southern Rock. Do you reckon there is any unreleased music circulating? Other than the boots here of course...