Time Loves These Heroes

TIME LOVES THESE HEROES
By Tim Hurley


It has been 28 years since the landmark release of “Waiting For Columbus”, widely regarded by fans and critics alike as arguably one of the greatest live albums ever recorded in the modern rock era.  Although they have gone through many reincarnations since those days, all the while generating very little commercial success, Little Feat continues to march on through an ever-evolving catalogue of music still inspired by country, blues, calypso, and rock.  Today they are still touted by fans and musicians as legends of their game.

Originally formed in 1969 by Lowell George and Roy Estrada, former members of Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention, Little Feat quickly found their footing in the Los Angeles music scene.  The initial lineup included George on slide guitar and vocals, Estrada on bass, virtuoso drummer Richie Hayward, and keyboardist/vocalist Bill Payne.  They received critical acclaim for their first two albums, “Little Feat” and “Sailin’ Shoes”, and seemed poised to make their mark in the early seventies rock scene.  Estrada left the band shortly after these releases to pursue other musical endeavors, and was replaced by the unique and funky Kenny Gradney on bass.  The band also expanded its roster to include Paul Barrere on guitar and vocals as well as percussionist Sam Clayton, thus reinventing their sound to mix styles similar to that of The Band, The Rolling Stones, and Muddy Waters; yet with a New Orleans-style funk and southern boogie.

Little Feat went on to release six more albums in the seventies, including the popular “Dixie Chicken” in 1973 and the progressive jazz/rock project “Time Loves A Hero” in 1977.  However, the band reached their musical pinnacle during the live recordings performed for the ’78 release of “Waiting For Columbus”.  At this point the band was really losing steam, as well as their founder Lowell George.  He had become very reclusive in the mid-seventies and the other members were unsure if they could keep it all together.  Yet they managed to forge a tour that was the most memorable in many fans’ minds.  The band discovered an invigoration that is evident on such songs as “Fat Man in the Bathtub”, “Oh Atlanta”, and “Feats Don’t Fail Me Now”.  Although widely popular, this album would prove to be a comeback and farewell of sorts for founder Lowell George.  His mental and physical health continued to deteriorate until his eventual death in 1979.

Losing an iconic and founding member of the band would completely destroy many other artists, as it nearly did for Little Feat.  They completed one more album without George entitled “Down on the Farm” and proceeded to call it quits shortly thereafter.  However, the remaining members of Little Feat would not sit silent for long and watch their music suffer the same fate as George.  Around 1988 the band members, along with additions Craig Fuller (vocals) and Fred Tackett (guitar, horns), decided it was time to give it another go and once again began a new chapter in their history.  They released the album “Let it Roll”, which had an exhilarating new energy followed by a rigorous touring schedule.  The band was able bring back the old fans and even make some new ones.

Regardless of the legion of fans Little Feat had accumulated, they still were not selling very many records and continued to play venues smaller than their worth.  This sort of commercial mediocrity eventually led the band to part ways with their label, Warner Bros., as well as their singer Fuller.  However, proving once again that you could not keep a good band down, the core members of Little Feat would press on in search of blazing another trail.  In 1993 they discovered the change they were looking for in accomplished female blues vocalist Shaun Murphy, who brought a sultry voice and a renewed vision to the group.

The band released 6 more albums between 1995 and 2002 and many were well-received amongst the musical community.  They did not see much airplay, but recordings such as those off the appropriately named “Under the Radar” showcased the band’s ever growing talent and amazing synergy.    Shortly thereafter the band decided that it if they were going to keep doing this, then they might as well as just do it themselves.  In 2003 they started their own record label called Hot Tomato Records, and issued their first release entitled “Raw Tomatoes and Ripe Tomatoes”, a collection of live material from the recording vault.  Since then the band has continued to produce music under their label and their own terms.

Nearly 37 years from their inception, Little Feat continues to perform with unbridled passion, inspiring musicianship, a daunting tour schedule, and a cult following not unlike Jimmy Buffett, Willie Nelson, or the Grateful Dead.  It is that fan community that continuously recharges the batteries and reminds the band of who helped them get where they are today.  The group repays those fans, new and old, with amazing live concerts and artistic joy.  Also, fans are treated to special, intimate and sometimes luxurious performances such as their annual Feat Fan Excursion.  Now in its fifth year, fans can travel with the band to Jamaica to hear them play on the shores of Negril and beyond.  This September fans can also travel to the beautiful Ozarks for their Big Time Festival held in Eureka Springs, Arkansas for music and relaxing recreation (also performing will be New Orleans jazz-rock pioneer Dr. John).

Now considered by many as one of the greatest rock bands of the modern era, Little Feat shows no signs of hanging up the shoes.  With a full 2006 tour schedule including festivals, casinos, historic theaters, and even shows outside the U.S. the band seems content playing old favorites and branding new originals, while relentlessly fulfilling an ongoing vision…..playing good old rock n’ roll that makes people boogie.


Published July 2006 by Jammed Online Music Magazine (www.jammedonline.com)
http://www.jammedonline.com/littlefeatstory.html