Little Feat

Little Feat - Shake Me Up - 1991 - Polydor

Many fans of Little Feat would say that the band never recovered from the loss of the phenomenal slide guitarist, Lowell George, who sadly passed away in 1979 at the age of 34. This is true, and yet it did not detract from some of LF's later albums. "Shake Me Up" has received mostly poor reviews, but only because it has been compared to some of Little Feat's earlier classic recordings. Try and listen to this album on it's own merits. It's not a great album, but there aren't many great rock albums around. In fact it's quite a good rock album, and still retains some of that early Southern LF unique sound. Like other bands on this blog, - "Juicy Lucy" as one example, the groups' latter day albums should not be compared to earlier recordings, although it is hard to keep an impartial view if you are familiar with these bands' classic albums.Try and listen to the totally brilliant live album"Highwire Act Live In ST. Louis 2003." "Under The Radar" is also a very good LF album, and you can find it @ LF/UTR There is info on the band's s/t album @ LF/ST However, it is the opinion of A.O.O.F.C, that Little Feat's 1975 album, "The Last Record Album," is the jewel in LF's crown, and remains one of the greatest, and possibly most underrated rock recordings of all time. Check it out! Read the great band's bio @ LF/BIO/WIKI

TRACKS / COMPOSERS

1 "Spider's Blues (Might Need It Sometime)" (Barrère, Payne, Tackett) – 4:19
2 "Shake Me Up" (Barrère, Fuller, Kibbee, Payne) – 4:52
3 "Things Happen" (Barrère, Payne, Tackett) – 4:25
4 "Mojo Haiku" (Fuller, Payne) – 5:12
5 "Loved and Lied To" (Barrère, Fuller, Hayward, Payne) – 5:00
6 "Don't Try So Hard" (Fuller) – 4:19
7 "Boom Box Car" (Barrère) – 4:37
8 "Fast & Furious" (Barrère, Clayton, Payne, Tackett) – 4:13
9 "Livin' on Dreams" (Barrère, Fuller, Payne, Tackett) – 5:26
10 "Clownin'" (Barrère, Tackett) – 4:44
11 "Down in Flames" (Barrère, Fuller, Kibbee, Park, Payne) – 6:22

BAND

Paul Barrère - guitar, vocals
Sam Clayton - percussion, vocals
Craig Fuller - vocals, guitar
Kenny Gradney - bass
Richie Hayward - drums, vocals
Shaun Murphy - vocals
Bill Payne - keyboards, vocals
Fred Tackett - guitar, trumpet
Valerie Carter - backing vocals on tracks 4, 5 & 9
Shaun Murphy - backing vocals on tracks 1, 2, 3, 8 & 10 (joined band 1993)
Bonnie Sheridan - backing vocals on tracks 3 and 10
The Memphis Horns - brass on track 3

BIO

Little Feat was formed in Los Angeles, California in 1969 by Lowell George and Roy Estrada. Both were former members of Frank Zappa's Mothers of Invention. The original lineup was completed with the addition of Richard Hayward on drums and Bill Payne on keyboards. Their first two albums were Little Feat (1971) and Sailin' Shoes (1972). The albums were critical successes but failed by commercial standards. The group split up briefly for a period in 1971-72 but reformed with new members that included Paul Barrere on guitar and percussionist Sam Clayton. Roy Estrada, who had left the group, was replaced on bass by Kenny Gradney. The first album from the new lineup was to be their most popular yet: Dixie Chicken (1973). No doubt the single of the same name, which is arguable their most well known song, was a prime reason. But the funkier, tighter sound and more prominent jazz influences, which defined this lineup, were no doubt welcome dimensions. They continued their success with Feats Don't Fail Me Now (1974) and then The Last Record Album (1975). Purportedly by then Barrere and Payne had taken over much of the song writing due to the effects of Lowell George's drug use. Although the group had gained in popularity they did not enjoy broad commercial appeal but rather sort of a cult following. Their next release was Time Loves a Hero in 1977 and it was on the tours following that album in 1977-78 that they recorded and released the much heralded double live album Waiting for Columbus (1978). It was shortly after this period, frustrated with the bands direction that founding member Lowell George started a solo project the result of which was the album Thanks, I'll Eat It Here. With its release George declared Little Feat broken up and embarked on a solo career. Sadly, George died shortly thereafter of a heart attack in 1979. Little Feat's final album with George, Down on the Farm, was released after his death in 1979. In 1981 a rarities collection called Hoy-Hoy! was also released. Members of Little Feat worked on various side projects and had stints in other bands after Little Feat broke up, but in 1988 Payne, Barrere, Hayward and Bradney decided to reform the group. They were joined by vocalist/guitarist Craig Fuller and guitarist Fred Tackett. Their first new release in 1988, Let It Roll, was a commercial success eventually going gold. But subsequent albums Representing the Mambo (1989), Shake Me Up (1991) and Ain't Had Enough Fun (1995) didn't quite measure up. On Ain't Had Enough Fun and albums thereafter the voice of Fuller, plugged in to sound a measure like Lowell George, was replaced by female lead Shaun Murphy. The band has since followed with albums Under the Radar (1988), Chinese Work Songs (2000), Late Night Truck Stop (2001) and Kickin' It at the Barn (2003). The group still tours to this day. © 2000 - 2007 rateyourmusic.com s.42