ZZ Top has reached back to its very early days with the first track to be released from their forthcoming RAW album, out July 22 from Shelter Records, through BMG. “Brown Sugar” was a key cut on the very appropriately titled ZZ Top’s First Album that was released in January of 1971. Available today, “Brown Sugar” is the opening track on RAW, which itself is an homage to the band’s early days.

ZZ Top’s “Brown Sugar,” penned by Billy F Gibbons, should not be mistaken for the Rolling Stones song of the same title, the latter of which was actually released three months after ZZ Top’s First Album.

RAW was recorded and filmed for the Grammy-nominated Netflix documentary, That Little Ol’ Band From Texas, in the intimate setting of the famed Texas honky-tonk, Gruene Hall between Austin and San Antonio. The historic venue dates to 1878 and has been in continuous use as the oldest, continually operating joint in the state. Billy Gibbons, Frank Beard and the late Dusty Hill gathered there to record in a spare, bare bones way and the result of those efforts is “Brown Sugar” along with eleven additional tracks that comprise the RAW tune stack.

Gibbons commented, “‘Brown Sugar’ has been sweetening our concert sets for many decades now, so it seemed like the right song to kick off RAW. The Gruene Hall session was a satisfying return to our roots and a very special circumstance that we’re delighted to share with the friends and fans who have stuck with us all this time.”

Stream/purchase “Brown Sugar” here. Listen below:

 

View ZZ Top recording “Brown Sugar” at Gruene Hall:

When the three members of ZZ Top gathered at Gruene Hall, they were in each other’s line-of-sight, making for a very organic recording session, part of which is seen in the film. RAW, the totality of their efforts there, will be available on 180-gram vinyl, CD and through digital platforms. The album was produced by Billy F Gibbons, engineered by Jake Mann and G.L. G-Mane Moon and mixed by Ryan Hewitt. The album is issued “in righteous memory” of Dusty Hill who passed away last year.

Pre-order the album here.

LP tracklisting:

Side 1

"Brown Sugar"
"Just Got Paid"
"Heard It On The X"
"La Grange"
"Tush"
"Thunderbird"

Side 2

"I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide"
"Gimme All Your Lovin’"
"Blue Jean Blues"
"Certified Blues"
"Tube Snake Boogie"

At the same time the new album is being announced, the band’s forthcoming Raw Whisky Tour has been revealed.

The first leg of the band's Raw Whisky Tour tour, starting on May 27 in San Diego, CA, will see the band on stage in 50 markets across North America, more dates to be announced soon. The tour’s title is a hat tip to both the forthcoming album as well as the recent release of ZZ Top Tres Hombres whisky from Balcones Distilling of Waco TX, a flavorful 100 proof mash bill of roasted blue corn, malted barley and rye.

Dates:

May
6 - Niagara Falls, ON - Fallsview Casino Resort
29 - Paso Robles, CA - Vina Robles Amphitheatre

June
1 - Redding, CA - Redding Civic Auditorium
2 - Saratoga, CA - The Mountain Winery
5 - Jacksonville, OR - Britt Pavilion
7 - Bend, OR - Hayden Homes Amphitheater
8 - Walla Walla, WA - Wine Country Amphitheater
9 - Spokane, WA - First Interstate Center for the Arts
12 - Billings, MT - MetraPark – First Interstate Arena
14 - Grand Junction, CO - Las Colonias Park Amphitheater
17 - Tucson, AZ - Casino Del Sol’s AVA Amphitheater
19 - Colorado Springs, CO - Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts
21 - Loveland, CO - Budweiser Events Center
22 - Grand Island, NE - Fonner Park – Heartland Events Center
24 - Park City, KS - Hartman Arena
25 - Oklahoma City, OK - Zoo Amphitheatre
26 - Little Rock, AR - First Security Amphitheater
29 - Rogers, AR - Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion

July
1 - Toledo, OH - Toledo Zoo & Aquarium – Amphitheater
2 - Sterling Heights, MI - Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill
5 - Fort Wayne, IN - Foellinger Theater
9 - Greenville, WI - Greenville Lion’s Park
22 - Boston, MA - Leader Bank Pavilion
23 - Watertown, NY - Watertown Fairgrounds Baseball Diamond  

August
27 - Beaver Dam, KY - Beaver Dam Amphitheater