Brown Sugar

The Zoo Crew is spinning the gritty, blues-soaked track Brown Sugar by ZZ Top from their 2022 album RAW: 'That Little Ol' Band From Texas' Original Soundtrack, and the Zoo Freaks are surely digging the raw energy. This version of Brown Sugar, originally from the band’s 1971 debut album, was recorded live at Gruene Hall, Texas’ oldest continually operating dance hall, during a session for the 2019 Netflix documentary That Little Ol’ Band From Texas. Unlike their typical high-energy live shows, this performance was an intimate, audience-free jam, capturing the trio—Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill, and Frank Beard—in their purest form. Billy Gibbons noted in a press release that Brown Sugar has been a staple in their setlists for decades, making it the perfect kickoff for the RAW album, as it reflects their return to their blues-rock roots. The Gruene Hall session, initially meant for documentary stills, turned into a spontaneous performance when the band’s gear was unexpectedly set up, leading to what Gibbons called a “satisfying return to our roots” that fans can hear in the track’s unpolished, heavy riffing and Dusty Hill’s prominent bass lines.

Another layer of intrigue around this Brown Sugar recording is its historical significance as one of the last captures of ZZ Top’s classic lineup before bassist Dusty Hill’s passing in July 2021. The RAW album, dedicated to Hill, showcases his chunky bass grooves, which fans on platforms like Discogs have praised for standing out in the lean, unadorned mix. The track’s raw production, with no overdubs, gives it a rehearsal-room vibe, as if the Zoo Freaks are eavesdropping on the band jamming. Posts on X from 2020 shared a sneak peek of this Gruene Hall performance, hyping its inclusion as a bonus segment in the documentary’s home release. Fans on the ZZ Top Fans Facebook group often highlight how this version feels heavier than the 1971 original, with Gibbons’ gravelly vocals and biting guitar solos evoking the band’s early days while carrying the weight of their 50-year legacy.

ZZ Top formed in Houston, Texas, in 1969, evolving from Billy Gibbons’ earlier psychedelic rock outfit, Moving Sidewalks. Gibbons, a guitar virtuoso influenced by blues legends like Muddy Waters, teamed up with drummer Frank Beard and bassist Dusty Hill, both from the Dallas band American Blues. Their shared love for gritty blues and boogie rock shaped ZZ Top’s signature sound, blending Gibbons’ searing guitar riffs with Hill and Beard’s tight rhythm section. By 1971, they released ZZ Top’s First Album, which included Brown Sugar, establishing their raw, no-frills style. The trio’s chemistry and relentless touring through Texas honky-tonks built a cult following, and by the 1980s, hits like Legs and Gimme All Your Lovin’—also featured on RAW—catapulted them to global fame, aided by their iconic bearded look and humorous MTV videos. Their commitment to the blues runs deep; they famously crafted a guitar from Muddy Waters’ shack wood, dubbed the “Muddywood,” to raise funds for the Delta Blues Museum.

For Zoo Freaks wanting to dive deeper, check out ZZ Top’s official website for tour dates, merch, and news. Connect with the band on social media via Facebook, Instagram, and X, where they share updates and throwbacks like the Brown Sugar Gruene Hall clip. Fans can join discussions on the ZZ Top Fans Facebook group or explore fan-driven content on sites like ZZ Top Fan Club. The ZZ Top Reddit community also offers a space for diehards to swap stories and trivia about the band’s storied career. Whether you’re grooving to Brown Sugar or exploring their blues-rock legacy, ZZ Top’s raw spirit keeps the Zoo Crew and their Freaks coming back for more.