The Little Feat show at the Paramount Theatre on Cinco de Mayo was a 10. This performance was the kick-off of their “Strike Up The Band” tour, supporting their just-released album of the same name. This is Little Feat’s first album of new original songs in 13 years.
“Tonight was rockin’ ,” said Little Feat’s Fred Tackett after the show. “The grooves were killer. A lot of excitement because it was the first show of the tour and we haven’t seen each other for about a month. It was a lot of fun, really good, excellent show tonight. We never have a bad show. Some things might happen here and there, but it’s all part of the game.”
From start to finish, the show was hit after hit. They performed 17 songs. The place was packed, and people were dancing from song 1, which was their 1973 hit “Fat Man in the Bathtub”. From there, Little Feat jumped a decade to “Hate to Lose Your Lovin”, off their 8th studio album, ‘Let It Roll’ . That song is one of my favorites from that album, and many other people agreed since it earned the band their first #1 hit on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
A few favorites later, the band previewed their new LP by performing “Too High To Cut My Hair,” a song co-written by fellow guitarists Fred Tackett and Scott Sharrard. It’s a fun song with a fun story, and an even more fun music video is available on the band’s YouTube.
Halfway through their show, Little Feat slipped in a debut cover of The Band’s “Don’t Do It”, a song originally recorded by Marvin Gaye. It was cool to hear Little Feat’s rendition. The Band’s Levon Helm was a longtime friend of Little Feat. Fittingly, Tony Leone sang it from behind the drum kit as Helm did at many The Band shows. Leone was a longtime member of Helm’s Midnight Ramble Band.
He’s a monster. That cat plays amazing stuff, and he sings,” said Tackett.
Every member of Little Feat is a musical beast, and fun to watch. The band looks like they’re having a blast up there.
“We do have a blast,” said Tackett. “We say we get paid for riding the bus, and do the gigs for free. The music is free, the travel is what we charge for.”
Little Feat finished the show with four hits in a row of “Willin’”, “Dixie Chicken”. “Feats Don’t Fail Me Now” and their encore of “Let It Roll.” Everyone in attendance at the Paramount Theatre was “‘hooping and hollerin’” and dancing to all these remaining songs. The energy in the room was off the charts.
“That’s the whole point,” said Tackett.
“Dixie Chicken,” by far my favorite Little Feat song, was a nearly 10-minute version this night. Everyone was singing word for word. Sharrard led the song. He has a great voice and absolutely rips on guitar. The late, great Lowell George would be proud. Original member Bill Payne shone on keys, with some great solos. Tackett had a nice solo on electric guitar.
Little Feat has been going strong for 47 years, an incredible feat (no pun intended). I didn’t want the show to end.
