Little Feat - Down On The Farm (1979)

Little Feat are an American rock band originally formed in 1969 by Lowell George.

By 1979 Lowell George was deeply disatisfied with the jazz-rock direction Little Feat were going in. He had lost control of the group, as in his view they had become too democratic - it's definitely true that their best records had been when they were 'his band'. He recorded a solo album, and following its release he announced he was leaving the group. On tour to support his album, he died from a heart attack at the age of 34 (probably aided by his excess weight and heavy drug use).

Once over the shock of what had happened, the rest of Little Feat worked together to complete the album they had been recording when George left. Down On The Farm was released in 1979, and afterwards the band went their seperate ways. Admittedly its not one of their best albums, but that can be forgiven due to the unfortunate circumstances of its recording.

Waiting For Columbus (1978) <|> Hoy-Hoy! (1981)
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Little Feat - Waiting For Columbus (1978)

Little Feat are an American rock band originally formed in 1969 by Lowell George.

Little Feat had always been a fantastic live act, so it was perhaps a shame that they waited until the late 70s before they put out a live album. By this point they were in decline, as Lowell George was not in good health and was at the same time losing interest in the band. Therefore it was a pleasant surprise when 1978's Waiting For Columbus came out, a double LP set which has often been called one of the greatest live albums of all time! Even when they were experiencing behind-the-scenes conflicts, and were perhaps stagnating artistically, they were still able to put on a fantastic show. The repertoire included both early Lowell George classics and more recent Paul Barrere and Bill Payne numbers, most of them being reworked and extended (and strangely sometimes at slower tempos, which is the opposite of what you normally expect from a live album), with a big, full-bodied sound throughout, several songs being assisted by the Tower of Power horn section.

It turned out to be the last truly significant release from Little Feat - despite the supposed unity the album suggested, things were soon to deteriotate quickly.
The 2002 deluxe CD edition of the album came with a total of ten brilliant bonus tracks from the same concerts Three of these had already been released on 1981's Hoy-Hoy!. The seven remaining tracks still add up to a full album's length in terms of running time. I therefore offer you both the original double album, and a bonus disc of extra material extracted from the 2002 CD.

Time Loves A Hero (1977) <|> Down On The Farm (1979)
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Little Feat - Time Loves A Hero (1977)

Little Feat are an American rock band originally formed in 1969 by Lowell George.
 

From 1974's Feats Don't Fail Me Now onwards, Little Feat had moved from being Lowell George's band to being a true democracy. Their sixth album, 1977's Time Loves A Hero, marked the point where he moved into the background, as the other band members (most notably guitarist Paul Barrere and keyboard player Bill Payne) came to dominate the songwriting and stylistic direction. The album moved further in the direction of jazz fusion, particularly notable on the instrumental track "Day At The Dog Races". George only contributed one song (plus another co-written by Barrere) - the truth was his health was declining, and there was increasing tension between him and Payne. It was also the first Little Feat album since Sailin' Shoes he did not produce. Nevertheless it was a successful album, and despite the growing tensions behind the scenes Little Feat were still going strong.

The Last Record Album (1975) <|> Waiting For Columbus (1978)
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Little Feat - The Last Record Album (1975)

Little Feat are an American rock band originally formed in 1969 by Lowell George.

1973's Dixie Chicken and 1974's Feats Don't Fail Me Now had seen Little Feat finely craft for themsleves a distinctive funk-based rock sound, under the leadership of guitarist and vocalist Lowell George. For 1975's The Last Record Album, they continued with the same sound, but the dynamics of the band were clearly starting to change. Second guitarist Paul Barrere and keyboard player Bill Payne rose in prominence as songwriters, singers and artistic forces to rival George, whose own role as bandleader was lessened. With Barrere and Payne writing songs both by themselves and together, the jazz-fusion elements that been hinted at with Feats Don't Fail Me Now crept ever closer to the surface. The tight, groovy, funk-styled rock songs were still there, but they featured increasingly more complex grooves, which was clearly a natural progression from Feats Don't Fail Me Now. Though George's role was diminishing, he still did manage to contribute the splendid "Long Distance Love", and the band's sound wasn't yet suffering for this change in dynamics - it was just expanding and evolving.

Feats Don't Fail Me Now (1974) <|> Time Loves A Hero (1977)
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Little Feat - Feats Don't Fail Me Now (1974)

Little Feat are an American rock band originally formed in 1969 by guitarist Lowell George.

Little Feat's fourth album saw them perfect their fusion of rock, funk and boogie, with their best-known lineup of Lowell George (guitar/vocals), Paul Barrere (guitar/vocals), Bill Payne (keyboards/vocals), Kenny Gradney (bass), Richie Hayward (drums) and Sam Clayton (percussion). Underneath the surface of the great songs and southern-fried vibes of Feats Don't Fail Me Now were some complex rhythms and seriously good musicianship. Whilst on their three previous albums Little Feat had very much been Lowell George's band, this is probably where they truly came together as a union of six musicians. Barrere and Payne both contributed to the songwriting, and the instrumental interplay was perfectly balanced, giving all members room to shine. "The Fan" was notable for its intense jazz-fusion flavoured jam section, whilst elsewhere the opening track "Rock & Roll Doctor" became an instant theme song for Lowell George, and remains today surely the band's most perfect three minutes of groove. The last track on the album was a ten-minute medley of "Cold, Cold, Cold" and "Tripe Face Boogie", two songs originally from Sailin' Shoes, giving the record-buying public an idea of what a Little Feat concert was like, and showing off their improvisational abilities.

Dixie Chicken (1973) <|> The Last Record Album (1975)
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Little Feat - Dixie Chicken (1973)

Little Feat are an American rock band originally formed in 1969 by Lowell George.

Little Feat underwent some lineup changes for their third album. Original bassist Roy Estrada was replaced by Kenny Gradney, and they gained an extra two members in percussionist Sam Clayton and guitarist Paul Barrere, joining founding members Lowell George, Bill Payne and Richie Hayward for a new six-man lineup.
Dixie Chicken developed their sound in a new direction, the re-figured rhythm section letting them lock into funkier rhythms. The use of two guitarists and a keyboard player gave each member much more freedom, resulting in brilliantly tight but laid-back grooves. Though New Orleans-styled funk influences were becoming evident, they still retained an earthy rootsiness in keeping with their music's blues roots. At this stage Lowell George was still very much in command, both as songwriter and lead singer. He also produced the album. The album turned out to be their most successful so far, and is still considered one of their best works. It was here that the classic Little Feat sound was perfected.

Sailin' Shoes (1972) <|> Feats Don't Fail Me Now (1974)
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Little Feat - Sailin' Shoes (1972)

Little Feat are an American rock band originally formed in 1969 by Lowell George.

Little Feat's second album (still with the original lineup of guitarist Lowell George, keyboardist Bill Payne, bassist Roy Estrada and drummer Richie Hayward) followed much the same formula as their first. The band's sound at this time was still heavily blues-influenced, as shown on "Tripe Face Boogie" and "A Apolitical Blues", but the superb instrumentation and band dynamics throughout gave them the ability to step out of any genre confinements and forge a rootsy southern rock sound they could truly call their own.
Of the eleven songs here, it was the second time they had recorded "Willin'". Another version had appeared on their first album, but the second version here (with Sneaky Pete Kleinow on steel guitar) proved to be the best-known one, and it has since become considered one of their classic songs, covered by numerous other artists.

Little Feat (1971) < | > Dixie Chicken (1973)
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Little Feat - Little Feat (1971)

Little Feat are an American rock band originally formed in 1969 by Lowell George.

Little Feat were formed in 1969 in L.A. by guitarist/singer/songwriter Lowell George, fresh from his stint with Frank Zappa's Mothers Of Invention. Making up the numbers of his new band were keyboardist Bill Payne, bassist Roy Estrada (a bandmate from The Mothers) and drummer Richie Hayward (who had played with George in The Factory a few years earlier).

They were signed to Warner Bros. Records, and their debut album came out in early 1971. A modest offering, it consisted of quirky blues-based southern rock. Lowell George's distinctive vocals and slide guitar gave the band a unique sound even at this early stage. Musical guests include pedal steel guitarist Sneaky Pete Kleinow (of the Flying Burrito Brothers) on one track, and slide guitarist Ry Cooder on another two.

|> Sailin' Shoes (1972)
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