"Brothers of the Road" is the eighth studio album, and the tenth overall, by the rock group the Allman Brothers Band. Released in 1981, it marked several significant changes for the band. It was the first and only album without drummer Jai Johanny Johanson, who had been a core member since the band's inception. Instead, the album featured drummer David Toler, marking his debut with the group. Additionally, it was the last album to feature bassist David Goldflies and guitarist Dan Toler.
One notable departure from the band's previous albums was the absence of any instrumental tracks on "Brothers of the Road." This reflected a shift towards a more vocal-oriented approach in their music.
The album included "Straight from the Heart," which became the group's third and final Top 40 hit. This track, along with others on the album, showcased the Allman Brothers Band's ability to blend rock, blues, and soul influences into their signature sound.
In 1982, the Allman Brothers Band released a concert video also titled "Brothers of the Road." Despite sharing the album's title, the video primarily featured live performances of only two songs from the album: "The Judgment" and "Never Knew How Much (I Needed You)." This video release provided fans with a visual and auditory experience of the band's live performances during that era.
Overall, "Brothers of the Road" remains a notable entry in the Allman Brothers Band's discography, representing a transitional period for the group as they navigated lineup changes and explored new musical directions.
