Search - Little Feat :: Barnstormin Live: 2

Better than Volume One

John Alapick | Wilkes-Barre, PA United States | 04/03/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Barnstormin' Live, Vol. 2 is yet another live album from the great jam band Little Feat. Like its predecessor, Volume 2 concentrates more on their lesser known tracks. Unlike Volume 1, which was heavy on their more recent mellower output, Volume 2 shows a lot more conviction and passion. The album opens with a killer version of "Down On The Farm/Candy Man Blues" which has become a recent staple of their live show. Lesser known nuggets such as the rollicking "Fool Yourself" and the country tinged "Six Feet Of Snow" both sound great, with the former featuring a rare lead vocal from its writer, Fred Tackett. While not possessing those gruff whiskey-laced vocals from their late leader Lowell George, the bluesy "A Apolitical Blues" still sounds great and features great guitar work from Tackett and Paul Barrere and strong vocals from Shaun Murphy, Barrere, and percussionist Sam Clayton. The version of the classic "Sailin' Shoes" is given a cool New Orleans feel with Tackett's mandolin playing that also works well. Bill Payne's piano work is still top notch, most notably on the excellent "Night On The Town." However, the loud carnival style keyboards on "Distant Thunder" are a little dominant. The tracks "Fighting the Mosquito Wars" and "Under the Radar" recall the adult contemporary sound of Volume 1 but are sequenced so they actually add to the album's diversity. Finally, the closing "Day At The Dog Races" is absolutely relentless. Recalling Miles Davis' early-70's fusion period, Tackett's trumpet solo and Payne's fast fingered runs are complemented well by the furious pace provided by Kenny Gradney and Richie Heyward, one of the best rhythm sections around. All told, while Barnstormin' Vol. 2 won't make longtime Feat fans forget their classic album Waiting for Columbus, it's still a strong release proving the band's continued force as a live unit."