Search - Little Feat with Dave Matthews - Jimmy Buffett - Vince Gill and many others :: Join the Band

(3.5 STARS) A FEAT OF STRENGTH ? - NOT QUITE, I'M AFRAID

Colin Spence | Formby, UK | 08/26/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I greeted the release of this album with some apprehension. Established artists have been known to enlist the support of 'friends' in an attempt to make their music more acceptable to a 'contemporary' audience, and this has sometimes resulted in performances which oldskool fans find less than palatable. 'Join the Band' might bring LF to the attention of a wider audience but, from even a cursory glance at the credits, it should be obvious that these collaborations are not a ploy to entice the post-pubescent iPod toting brigade into the 'featster' fold.



LF are an outstanding rock band - the quality of their playing has rarely failed to impress me (I have 12 of their albums), and this album is no exception. Vince Gill, Jimmy Buffett and Brooks & Dunn are popular and well respected artists whose styles of music will appeal to many. Their vocal contributions lend an unmistakable country/soft-rock flavour to the album and some listeners might welcome this; but I don't buy LF albums to hear this type of music - it somehow doesn't sound 'quite right' to me (and I don't need 'two degrees in be-bop' or a 'PhD in swing' to be able to say this) - mind you, this is coming from someone who thinks Craig Fuller never sounded 'quite right' either. On the other hand, I should emphasize that there is some phenomenal playing on this album - not only by the regular band members, but also from Sonny Landreth (electric slide), Vince Gill (acoustic guitar), Bela Fleck (banjo) and Sam Bush (fiddle/mandolin).





Some comments about what I think are the standout tracks (subject to a few reservations) :



FATMAN IN THE BATHTUB ('JOIN THE BAND') (Lowell George) - Of all the guest vocalists, Dave Matthews with his spirited and greasy drawl, seems to have the most empathy with LF's music (and also, surprisingly, Emmylou Harris on 'Sailing Shoes'). As an added bonus, you get some mean electric slide from Sonny Landreth (including a 1 minute plus solo), underscored by Bill Payne's classy keyboard playing.



THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND (Woody Guthrie) - I first heard this song, many moons ago, by Peter, Paul and Mary. Well, this version is definitely not like theirs - more country blues than folk. There are some pretty decent solo and harmony vocals from Paul Barerre and Shaun Murphy and, to cap it all, Paul Barrere peels a juicy acoustic slide.



OH ATLANTA (Bill Payne) - It's good to know that LF haven't forgotten how to boogie. Ballsy vocals from Chris Robinson, helped along by Bill Payne (but vocals are not his strong suit). Also, listen out for Fred Tackett's electric guitar solo and Bill Payne's piano accompaniment - boogie-rock in the classic LF tradition.



SPANISH MOON (Lowell George) - The longest track at 7:39; providing you can live with the bizarre pairing of Sam Clayton's baritone gargle and Craig Fuller's mediocre crooning (he sounds well past his sell by date), this track has a lot to offer. It features over 3 minute's worth of instrumentals - including an accomplished and tasteful acoustic guitar solo by Vince Gill, and amazing keyboards (synths, piano and Hammond) from Bill Payne.



TROUBLE (Lowell George) - Inara George has a pleasant voice, and she gives a poignant rendition of her dad's song; Bill Payne provides piano accompaniment - no other instruments are played.



SAILING SHOES (Lowell George) - Emmylou Harris kicks off this 6 minute track with some fine (and uncharacteristically 'ripe') vocals, accompanied by tasty mandolin playing from Fred Tackett and Sam Bush. At just under 3 minutes into the song, the tempo switches from its more familiar slow backbeat to an up-tempo hoedown - Paul Barrere and Emmylou Harris join forces to produce some strong harmony vocals. The playing throughout is outstanding - of particular note are : Fred Tackett (mandolin), Sam Bush (mandolin and fiddle), Bill Payne (piano and Hammond) and Richie Hayward (drums); and, towards the end, there's a storming banjo/fiddle duet from Bela Fleck and Sam Bush.



It might come as no surprise, to long standing fans of the band, that many of my favourite tracks are songs written by Lowell. I think most of the remaining songs are 'fair to middling' - but I dislike 'Something In The Water' and 'Champion Of The World'.





There's no harm in the LF band members (and their pals) giving themselves a well deserved pat on the back - but, judging from a few songs, it isn't entirely justified. There are 4 or 5 songs that really rumble my runway, and there can be no question that the band and guest musicians certainly know how to play. However, I think some of the vocals are rather lacklustre, and a few of the songs are incompatible with LF's musical style (at least, as I have come to know it). There are some things about this album that are inconsistent with my expectations of this band, and my rating of 3.5 stars reflects this - I rest my case."

Exploration Culmination

George II | Westchester NY USA | 08/31/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Since Little Feat re-formed after a 10-year hiatus following the death of cofounder Lowell George, the band has expanded its repertoire in a variety of directions. Join The Band is the culmination of decades of exploration and collaboration (without undue alliteration). What JTB lacks in new original material it makes up for with fresh makeovers of classics, along with Featerized covers displaying enormous range and virtuosic musicianship. These sessions were hosted by Jimmy Buffett in his Shrimp Boat Sound studio in Key West, and there is a laid-back feel on some tracks. But there's also a freewheeling vibe -- it sounds like making this album was a boatload of fun.



Among the Feat classics, Dave Matthews growls and yowls through a slow but soulful Fat Man in the Bathtub, and Sonny Landreth pays tribute to Lowell's legendary slide guitar on Dixie Chicken -- the shortest serving since 1973. The funky Spanish Moon is more stretched out. Vocals are shared by Feat percussionist Sam "Big Willie Johnson" Clayton, former Feat singer Craig Fuller and guest Vince Gill. The spooky jam is as close as JTB gets to the live Feat sound. On the other hand, the much loved and covered Willin' gets the full country flavor of Brooks & Dunn. If they still have jukeboxes in truckstops, this version is made to order.



The highlight in the remake category is Sailin' Shoes. The first section sounds familiar, with a surprisingly earthy Emmylou Harris trading vocals with an inspired Shaun Murphy. Then it accelerates into the up-tempo version originated by bluegrass wizard Sam Bush on fiddle, joined by Bela Fleck on banjo and Featster Fred Tackett on mandolin. If they don't get your toes tappin', please consult a physician immediately.



It's tough to mention only a few of the great covers. Something in the Water, with Bob Seger singing at full throttle, is the hardest rocker. The rollicking Don't Ya Just Know It has been showing up on Feat set lists. A couple of others have been live Feat staples for years, starting with The Weight. This is a tremendous recording, with kudos to Feat keyboardist Bill Payne. Just as The Band original had Garth Hudson's organ overlaid by Richard Manuel's piano, Bill has that sweet Hammond swooping under his amazing piano. It's also ideally suited for Paul Barrere's voice. The Weight may be an impossible song to screw up, but here it is sublime.



Another live staple is This Land Is Your Land. There is no better example of what makes Little Feat one of the great American bands. This is not the folky sing-around-the-campfire tune I taught fifth graders to play on guitar. It's a funky, full throated tour de force, with nasty acoustic slide work from Paul and Shaun singing her heart out. In the months after 9/11, the live performances were tearjerkers for more than a few of us. I would give a lot to see the look on Woody Guthrie's face at the sound of the Feat's take.



If you are new to Little Feat or want to introduce a friend, Join the Band is a great place to start. If you're a featfan wary of a release with no new material, don't make the mistake of passing this one up. It's got lumped into the classic rock category, for understandable reasons, but I think of it as Americana: rock and jazz, funk and blues, country and bluegrass... it's all here and it's all uniquely Little Feat."

Nice going guys

Plain and simple | New York | 08/29/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Good grouping of great musicians you know. While I miss Linda Rondstat(spelling-3) checking in ( Where are you kiddo?), the album is certainly worth listening to as soon as possible.

Not every day so many legendary folk get together to do a project like this.

Buy it and I promise you will like it.

It's an album like they used to be. No details needed, it is good plain and simple.

Turn the volume up and have a beer. Well done guys!"