Their own lively tunes.
After launching their own label Little Feat, except for Fred Tackett’s solo CD, only released four double live CDs. The fourth, as far as repertoire and rendering all too easy-going, created doubt about their new studio CD, for the band had almost been touring for three years, rediscovering live jamming in the process.
Surprisingly enough the band harmoniously combines quirky grooves with inspired, naturally flowing medium tempo songs and ballads in eleven self-penned songs, lasting 71 minutes. The seven broaden the already not too narrow horizon in an ambitious Texmex song, composed together with Stephen Bruton and in the succesful I’d Be Lying, based on reggae (!) and jazz. Elsewhere too the Feat traditionally mixes different styles. Stomp, cooking southern jazz, is pushed forward by Hayward’s driving drums, Clayton’s organic percussion and Gradney’s propelling bass and I Do What The Telephone….. is a loud, minutely funking blues riff. Despite some typical seventies titles the band, now having played in this line up for ten years, proves timeless and rollicking with their tight ensemble playing.
This is stressed by a more transparant, often semi-acoustic band sound. Payne’s formerly all too exuberant keyboard eruptions have been cut down to a jumping piano or a mostly supporting organ. With Tackett’s and Barrére’s fierce guitars, eager lead vocals by Payne, Barrère, Murphy and once a well-meaning Tackett, Little Feat play their rootsy genres vivaciously as well as stylishly. The seven are audibly having a good time. Hopefully they are not the only ones.
*****
Published in Dutch roots music magazine Heaven no. 28, January-February 2004/no. 1