The live album WAITING FOR COLUMBUS is one of the best live albums ever. Excellent slide guitar and singing by vocalist and guitarist Lowell George and keyboard player Bill Payne. If you're going to do a Little Feat Album, this live gem is the one to go with. You will be amazed. They were anxious to capture their onstage power like the Allman Brothers Band, the Rolling Stones, had before them. Little Feat made plans to include the five-piece Tower of Power horn section (Mic Gillette and Greg Adams on trumpets, with Lenny Pickett, Emilio Castillo, and Stephen “Doc” Kupka playing saxophones), incorporating new super-funky arrangements inspired by Allen Toussaint’s work with the Band on Rock of Ages. WAITING FOR COLUMBUS is the album to really get the feel of Little Feat (especially their Spanish Moon tune).
What he said. WFC is considered one of the best live albums of all time--check out Fat Man In The Bathtub, Dixie Chicken, and All That You Dream. and a high point of 70s rock albums. Lowell George is the singer and songwriter--brilliant and soulful at both Here's the live version of Spanish Moon, extended and rich. Lowell George is the singer and songwriter--brilliant and soulful at both ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-bCROkG4SKao.html
My oldest son was Feat's guitar technician for about 10 years, he left shortly after Paul Barrere died. I have signed and framed posters all over my house lol. Absolutely love this song. 🥰❤️✌️
Absolutely, Waiting for Columbus Live. I saw them in ‘79 in Dayton, Ohio. I agree, their show and the live album was off the chain! Lowell George, his white bibs, chambray shirt and Chuck Taylor’s.
I'm glad you found Little Feat. Thanks. I remember seeing Tiran Porter, Doobie Brothers Bass and Vocalist - sitting with other artists in a small Watsonville outdoor venue checking Little Feat out. on benches like the rest of us. They were a band's band... appreciated by the likes of many big names - from Paul McCartney to Tower of Power... I saw a lot of bands - and these guys are super talented and are still doing gigs (w/o Lowell G). They are quite diverse too... you can tell Bill Payne could seamlessly go into a complex jazz or classical tunes as easily as taking us to the south with Dixie Chicken or Fat Man in the Tub.
Thanks for sharing "Little Feat". This is one of the funkiest bands ever with a lot of blues vibes in it. I think you should listen to almost the whole album "Waiting For Columbus" and be amazed. This is one of the best live recordings ever. R.I.P. Lowell George (the Rock n' Roll Doctor) who gave us so many good songs. Best wishes @all from hamburg (germany)
Definitely check out the version on Waiting For Columbus. Others have already mentioned this, but it's the quintessential Little Feat experience. The studio version is killer, but the live version is in another universe. That entire double album is in the group of the best live albums of all time. IMHO, that's the place to start with Little Feat, because it catches the moment the band absolutely peaked during their original incarnation. There are multiple eras of this band, and Waiting For Columbus is the perfect picture of the original phase and as good as live music ever gets.
You need to do Waiting for Columbus from start to finish. Every song is a banger, including an incredible version of Spanish Moon. The special edition has a third disk that includes an amazing version of Red Streamliner with the Doobie Bros on BV's (it's also on Hoy-Hoy). One of the best live bands of all time.
Wow, you and your listeners have got it goin on! You are, from many different styles, picking out great music from the 70s that's worth a closer listen. Popular in the day, this stuff has really held up--Little Feat being no exception. Great writing and performance, with a deep catalog. As others have said, Waiting For Columbus is essential Little Feat listening, and regarded one of the best live albums of all time. That funk and juice turned up to 11! As proof, here is the WFC performance of Spanish Moon, for your amazement and delight. Thanks for re-presenting my favorite music, for further enjoyment. Peace. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-bCROkG4SKao.html
"They ain't gonna live long." So damn funny. Little Feat was fantastic. Loved by so many professional musicians. They were all hot session players too. "Waiting For Columbus" is one of the best live albums, up there with the Allman's Fillmore East and The Who's Live At Leeds. Steely Dan and Little Feat captured the 70s.
You guys hit another home run with your reviews. It’s awesome that you’re turning the younger generation on to in my opinion the greatest era of music, thanks keep rolling
According to the album, pictures, the guys in the Little Feat were white except for Sam Clayton the conga player. I had the pleasure of seeing them open for the Kinks, and they could bring you the funk!
Was in my local record shop in 1978 when the owner recommended a new double live LP from Little Feat. I asked him to put it on his turntable. I walked out that day with Waiting For Columbus in hand. Still own it today as one of my prize possessions in my album collection. In my 62 yr old humble opinion it's the best LIVE album ever. Thanks for the reaction gentlemen. Love ya funking out to Little Feat ❤️
Thanks guys for covering Little Feat! Such an incredible group through all it's iterations. The bass line on this and everything they've done since the Dixie Chicken album is courtesy of the incredible Mr Kenny Gradney who just celebrated at birthday this last week.
The dude wearing the platform shoes with the aquarium gold fish in them was Fly Guy from "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka" (1988). Huggy Bear was a similar character featured in Starsky & Hutch.
Got to see them live in a small club in Houston, early on, before Lowell George died. Great live performers. I bet he never thought this song would create a discussion about Huggy Bear!!!
These dude's were your favorite band/musician's favorite band back in the day. Bonnie Raitt and Emmylou Harris were happy as clams to sing back up for them at times just to be on the stage with them. Jimmy Page counted them as THE best American band in his opinion. Also,you HAVE to listen to them live. The vibe is even funkier and the musicianship slaps and slaps hard. Their double live opus,Waiting For Columbus was a "drop the needle anywhere and you're gonna be blown away" album.
Just got back from Feat Camp 2023 that was held in Key West. Seeing them live again is a spiritual experience. One of my favorite bands ever. Today’s lineup is the greatest. Seeing Tommy Emmanuel on stage with Scott was amazing. Feats don’t fail me now!!!!!!
absolutely my favorite 'new' band of '70s. "Waiting for Columbus" is one of the best live albums ever made. Give me that and "Live at Leeds" and I'm done.
You guys started boppin hard after the first 4 beats. You can not walk fast to a groove as gooey n sticky as this. Huggy Bear was the legend Antonio Fargas !!!! He wore those Goldfish platforms in that movie I'm Gonna Get You Sucka !!
The Feat were huge here in the Baltimore area, and in fact this album was recorded in part just north of the city (not too far from me). Such a funky band, tons of New Orleans influence. And as everyone else has said, they were above all a live band! Gotta check out Waiting For Columbus. One of the best live albums of all time
Hey guys, I forgot to mention the amazing drummer on this was the great Richie Hayward who passed away in 2010. Listen to him a little closer and thanks for all the great reactions they brighten our day.
This song, especially the funky energy of the live Waiting For Columbus performance, always reminds me of partying at the Boys Town in Ojinaga Mexico in the early 70s. Wild times. LOL
Dudes, howdy from Texas. I just stumbled upon your channel and couldn’t subscribe fast enough. Just turned 71 and I grew up with these songs. Can’t wait to go down this rabbit hole. Believe I’m gonna start with Zep.
Oh yeah, do the whole album! It's killer, though Spanish Moon is my favorite of all Little Feat songs. This funky stuff reminds of Dr. John, you should give him a try too. His hit was Right Place Wrong Time, but had lots of cool songs too (Iko Iko, Junko Partner, Qualified, etc)
If you see the name "Lowell George" tied to a piece of music, you know you need to listen to it. Funk, slide guitar, and soulful vocals. Not just as a member of Little Feat, but playing with Barbara Keith (Detroit or Buffalo), Bonnie Rait & John Hammond (Can't Find My Way Home), and on and on. I don't think white band / black band is a useful categorization, but Little Feat has always been considered a major contributor to Southern Rock. (Yes, Gregg Allman said that all rock is Southern, but a lot is less obviously so.)
Fantastic band!! I recommended them when you guys did Quicksilver. Unique sound. Southern, Blues, Funk....a gumbo for sure. Drummer is Richie Hayward one of my favourites. Sam Clayton on percussion brother of Merry who sang iconic Rape, Murder bit on Gimme Shelter. Bass is Kenny Gradney who also played with band I mentioned yesterday, Delaney and Bonnie. Bill Payne on keys. Pau. Barrera guitar and sometimes vocals and Lowell George, most vocals and slide guitar. Horns on the live version (which is better) was Tower of Power horn section. Not sure about this studio version. Time for you gentlemen to do a deep dive into them.
They were the best seen live. Absolutely you have to dig into the Waiting For Columbus album. The horns courtesy of Tower of Power. That’s a deep rabbit hole that you need to dive into. Based out of Oakland TOP has had the tightest horn section for well over 50 years. Talk about funk, these guys may have not invented it but they sure perfected it. Squibcakes, What is Hip, Soul Vaccination, Still a Young Man are a few songs that you can start with. Loved Starsky and Hutch and their red 1976 Ford Gran Torino with the white stripe. Great commentary on this one guys. 😂
Lowell George was the lead singer for LITTLE "FEET" and a fantastic slide guitarist as well. If you don't do the whole album then you at least must do Cold, Cold, Cold and Tripe Face Boogie which are two songs that blend together as one. The excellence of this band will easily become apparent. Just great musicians playing creative, great music.
Love Little Feat! R.I.P. Lowell George. I agree with the other subs, Waiting for Columbus is a great live album. Also, you guys should do some Tower of Power: "Sparkling in the Sand" for starters.
Fun facts about Lowell George: 1) he was a child prodigy on harmonica, growing up in Los Angeles (his father raised chinchillas that the movie studios turned into fur stoles and coats for their actresses), But he grew tired of it and learnt to play flute and guitar as a teenager. 2) he was in Frank Zappa's band for a brief time as a slide guitarist but was fired when he showed Frank his early composition, "Willin'" which he recorded later with his own band Little Feat. Zappa recognized his talent but knew he wasn't right for his band. 3) despite being a "portly" fellow, Lowell was an unbelievable babe magnet. He was married twice in his short life (he died in 1979 at age 34) but kept attracting women like Linda Ronstadt (who admitted on stage she was in love with him - even though he was married), Bonnie Raitt, and Emmylou Harris. Phew! He had a lot of charisma.
You are right, they are a racially mixed band, Lowell George (W) Lead Vocals and Slide Guitar, Kenny Gradney (B) Bass, Bill Payne (W) Keyboards, Paul Barerre (W) Guitar, Sam Clayton (B) Congas and Richie Heyward (W) Drums. And the actor who played "Huggy Bear" was Antonio Vargas, who was also in the movie "I'm Gonna Get You Sucka", where he wears the platforms with the fish in them, in a sort of funny/sad scene when he gets out of jail after a few years, and styles have changed. Little Feat is a GREAT band, as others have said, their live album "Waiting For Columbus" is a masterpiece, and needs to be listened to in full. Got to see them with the late, great Lowell George once, and about ten times without. Amazing.
Little Feat and the Lowell George groove! With the incomparable Tower of Power horns on loan. Yet another band you have to check. The rabbit hole here is particularly deep, my brothers. Omg! 😅❤
I got to see them live about 6 months before Lowell George died, a terribly untimely death. No band can be compared to them, their blues/funk/jazz synthesis unequaled, just look into those who have covered their music.
“Goldfish in his shoes? How do you feed ‘em?” “Dey don’t live long.” Coughed up my soup on that one. You guys are funny! But you’re so right about that bass line. One of the best of all time. I absolutely love this studio piece. So much great talent and sound thrown into only about 4 minutes. But now try out the live version of Spanish Moon from waiting for Columbus. These guys were so good. Overshadowed by all the great bands playing at that time. I didn’t listen to them until much later. Lowell George wrote great music. But they had three honest to goodness virtuoso musicians in that band. Richie Hayward on drums. Bill Payne on keyboards. Kenny Gradney on bass. And they all sold their talent to a higher cause: making a great song. No grandstanding unless it made the song better.
Lowell changed the lyrics of this song before & after the studio recording, by the mid 70s he settled with the version presented on “WFC”. Sam, the bass vocalist & percussionist, mostly sang the lead for it after Lowell’s passing.
I played with Duke Job who played bass for Rose Royce, the band that did Carwash. As a side note, Duke toured with the Temptations when he was 16 years old.
Lowell George was genius!! Songwriter, producer, singer. and the best vulcan Slide guitarist ever!! Bonnie Raitt picked up his style after jamming with him so much. I caught one of Paul Barrere's Guitar picks during one of their shows. They were all so good. At one of their shows Keith Richards told Paul that it was nice to see someone playing that was their age, rather than seeing all of these whippersnappers on stage. Fantastic dig guys!!! This song also has The Tower Of Power Blastin' it!!
Just got turned on to you guys and goin thru your vids is a trip down memory lane! Since you've appreciated Lowell George (R.I.P.) and Little Feat, you gotta hear Robert Palmer's (R.I.P.) "Sneakin Sally Thru the Alley!" Thanks
Recommend the live version from the best live album Waiting for Columbus. Little Feat ( like the feet you put your shoes on). Yes. They had members of multiple ethnic backgrounds
Always liked the short clavinette run in the intro! This studio version had some lyrics cut from the chorus because thestudio bigwigs did'nt like the line "..well, it's whiskey and bad cocaine, poison gets you just the same." "Skin It Back", "Rock and Roll Doctor" and "Down The Road" are some of my faves on this album.
Little Feat was a mixed race band. Kenny Gradney on the bass, and Sam Clayton on congas/percussion/background vocals were black. The rest were white guys, most from Southern California. Their music was a stew of rock, blues, folk, country, funk, N'Awlins, jazz. One of the best live bands of the 70's, underappreciated now. That's probably their best studio album, but most of us would advise you to try "Waiting for Columbus", which is a live double album and effectively a Best Of album. Good stuff either way. Helluva band.
If I remember correctly, James Brown performed with goldfish in his shoes. Love me some Little Feat. Y'all would enjoy that album. They have such an interesting sound. The drummer is my all my favorite. I'm not a drummer ( I play the guitar) but he has a unique style Imo. The live Waiting for Columbus album is in my favorite top ten live album list. It's worth a listen also. Another great live album is Live Bullet by Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet band.
Love the Starsky & Hutch/ Huggy Bear reference, brings back some great memories. The ultimate fish in glass platform boot was worn by character name Fly Guy from I'm gonna get you sucka'...... Keep the Funk train rollin' with Funky Meters "Ain't no use" live on the Queen Mary 1975.....
The platform shoes with goldfish was from a Wayans bros film called I'm Gonna Get You Sucka, worn by the Pimp Of The Year after being released from prison. You can't beat the Feat!
You've hit on some southern funk rock of the legend Lowell George and little feat, ripe for a deep dive, dixie chicken, fat man in the bathtub, time loves a hero, old folks boogie. On and on!
