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ARTIST: Simms Brothers Band
ALBUM: Simms Brothers Band
LABEL: Elektra
SERIAL: 6E-220-8 SP
YEAR: 1979

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

LINEUP: George Simms - vocals, percussion * Frank Simms - vocals, guitars, acoustic guitars * Budd Tunick - drums, timpani * David Spinner - vocals, congas * Robert Sabino - piano, electric piano, mini moog, prophet 5, hammond B-3 * Shimmy Maki - bass * Mickey Leonard - lead guitars

TRACK LISTING: 01 Take Me As I Am * 02 All We Need Is Loving * 03 Back To School * 04 Still I'll Be Waiting * 05 Get Her (Fore She Gets Away) * 06 Must Say Now * 07 You've Got Style * 08 This Time It's Over * 09 It's Just The Way She Moves * 10 Morning Song

WEBLINKS: www.simmsbrothersband.com

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Background
Connecticut institutions, the Simms Brothers Band were one of the more popular New England 'Bar' bands of the late '70s. Living off Long Island Sound just across the water from Connecticut, I recall hearing their moniker frequently on radio stations I-95 and WPLR advertising club gigs, and when this album came out it, receiving significant air play. 'Discovered' by Boston's former manager, the group signed to Elektra with none other than Mike Stone at the production helm. A tour with Peter Frampton followed, although Elektra seemed uninterested in giving the band the promotion it needed and a second Eddie Kramer produced album 'Attitude' release in 1980 died a needlessly slow death. Heavily in debt, the Simms Brothers Band broke up a few months later with its membership moving on to lucrative session work with David Bowie, Billy Joel and INXS among others, but a major piece of the southern New England music scene was no more.

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The Songs
I never had the opportunity to see the boys live, but according to those in the know, the debut album was a far more slickly produced affair than the good time rock and rhythm and blues band they developed their reputation on. Not a surprise, especially with Mike Stone calling the shots and I think the end result was one of the best AOR albums of 1979. 'Take Me As I Am' sounds like the first Pages album, in other words very west coast and very pleasant. The follow-up 'All We Need Is Loving' received radio play and is a charming slice of period pop rock similar to fellow New Englander's Oak while 'Back To School' brings to mind Boatz and Hotel. Excellent stuff and 'Still I'll Be Waiting' even takes a stab and Queen-like pomp and succeeds admirably. After that killer track, I have to say I've never been too thrilled with the J. Geils meets Bob Seger bop of 'Get Her ('Fore She Gets Away)' so its over to side two for 'Must Say Now' which brings us right back to the radio rock sound of Hotel and German rockers Lake. A solid AOR cut and a must hear as is 'You've Got Style' recalling the mighty Airborne believe it or not. 'It's Just The Way She Moves' apes the Doobie Brothers just a little too much, a common mistake made by many bands and artists of the era and yes, overall the record lacks originality but when it comes to AOR this good who cares? Mike Stone's production is flawless for the time and it's hard to imagine Elektra not getting behind these guys.

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In Summary
These days the Simms Brothers Band occasionally reform and are still involved in 'the biz', although bassist Shimmy Maki passed away in 2002. I don't hold out much hope seeing their two albums reissued on CD but original copies are still easy to find and more importantly relatively cheap.

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